The Army will meet with residents of Harford and Kent counties this week to update them on its plans to begin destruction March 3 of a chemical warfare agent that has been stockpiled at Aberdeen Proving Ground since World War II.

The 1,621 tons of mustard agent -- a banned, carcinogenic liquid that blisters the eyes, skin and lungs -- will be destroyed two years ahead of the original schedule, said Kevin J. Flamm, project manager for alternative technologies and approaches in APG's Office of the Project Manager for Chemical Demilitarization.

Army officials will meet with Harford residents at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday at the Edgewood Senior Center, 1000 Gateway Drive in Edgewood, and with Kent residents at 6:30 p.m. Thursday at Chestertown Middle School, 402 Campus Ave. in Chestertown.