MILITARY TOXICS PROJECT
Information Sheet

Toxic Hazards of Practice Ammunition

Ammunition includes a variety of devices used to deliver an explosive, chemical, or pyrotechnic charge to a target. Military ammunition includes aerial bombs, mines, torpedoes, rockets, missiles, and a broad spectrum of explosive and non-explosive projectiles.

Ammunition consists of three basic elements: the primer (detonator), the propellant, and the projectile.

Most ammunition also has a casing, or cartridge, that encapsulates the primer and propellant and often grips some portion of the projectile.

The components of small-arms ammunition are typically held together by a cartridge case whereas the larger types of ammunition usually have no cartridge and the propellant is packed in separate combustible bags.

The conventional aerial bomb consists of an explosive or chemical agent in a container, one or more fuze-and-igniter mechanisms, and external fins (for directional stability).

Practice, Inert, and Dummy Ammunition and Bombs

Although the terms “inert”, “dummy”, and “practice” ammunition are often used interchangeably, the environmental and human health impacts are distinctly different.

According to a Department of Defense policy relevant to munitions, “wholly inert” ammunition has never been employed and has never contained reactive materials; an unused dummy munition is an example of a “wholly inert” ammunition. (It is important to note that once an item is employed as a component of a military munition, it is no longer considered “wholly inert”.) Practice ammunition, by comparison, may contain or utilize smoke cartridges, fuzes, primers, igniter charges, propellants, incendiary components, and/or tracers – all of which may contain hazardous components.

Practice bombs are used to simulate the same ballistic properties of service type bombs. They are manufactured as either solid cast metal bodies or thin sheet metal containers. Since practice bombs contain no high explosive filler, a practice bomb signal cartridge (smoke) can be used for visual observation of weapon-target impact.

Practice bombs may also have a pyrotechnic cartridge that produces a flash of light and a puff of white smoke to show the point of bomb impact with the target.

Smoke ammunition contains smoke-producing substances such as chlorosulphonic acid mixture, titanium tetrachloride or white phosphorus; smoke-producing pyrotechnic compositions may contain hexachloroethane or red phosphorus. Smoke ammunition also contains one or more of the following: a propelling charge with primer and igniter charge; a fuze with burster or expelling charge.

Potential Health Effects: Specific Components of Practice Bombs

This is a partial list intended for educational purposes and should not be used for medical diagnosis. The effects of exposure to any hazardous substance depend on the dose, duration, how you were exposed, personal traits and habits, and whether other chemicals are/were present. This report also does not take into account the potential additive and synergistic effects of multiple exposures (exposure to more than one hazardous substance.)

Antimony Sulfide (S3 Sb2): Antimony is a chemical element that is normally used as an alloy with lead and other metals to increase their hardness, mechanical strength, corrosion resistance, and electrochemical stability. As an alloy, antimony is used in ammunition and cable sheathing. Antimony compounds are also used as fire retardants, vulcanizing agents, ammunition primers and fireworks. Antimony sulfide is a stable complex of antimony formed in the presence of sulfur. Oral or inhalation exposure to antimony can cause anemia, intestinal disorders (stomach pain, vomiting or diarrhea) and heart problems (altered electrocardiograms).

Barium Nitrate: Barium nitrate is an oxidizing compound found in some incendiary mixtures and single-base propellants. Constitutes as much as 50% of some incendiary mixtures. Poisoning from ingestion can result in gastroenteritis, muscular paralysis, decreased pulse rate, and ventricular fibrillation.

Calcium Resinate: found in some tracer mixtures. Acute exposure through inhalation may irritate the respiratory tract. Symptoms may include coughing, shortness of breath, sore throat and runny nose. If sufficient amounts are inhaled and absorbed, symptoms may resemble those in acute ingestion. Acute skin contact may cause irritation with symptoms of redness, swelling, itching and pain. Acute eye contact may cause irritation with symptoms of redness, swelling, itching, tearing and pain. Acute ingestion may cause gastroenteritis (inflammation of the lining membrane of the stomach and intestines) with abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea. Systemic effects may follow and may include ringing of the ears, dizziness, elevated blood pressure, blurred vision and tremors. Information on health risks associated with long-term exposure not found.

Chlorosulphonic Acid: found in some smoke ammunition. This substance is poisonous. Liquid may cause burns to skin and eyes, and may be fatal if swallowed or inhaled. Chlorosulphonic Acid reacts violently with water, liberating toxic gas. Vapors may be irritating to skin and eyes. Inhalation of vapors may cause severe irritation of the respiratory system. Ingestion may cause severe burning of mouth and stomach. Chronic overexposure may result in lung damage. Decomposition products are: hydrogen chloride, sulfuric acid, oxides of sulfur, and hydrogen.

Dinitrotoluene: constitutes as much as 10% of some single-base propellants; used as a stabilizer in single-base propellants. Also used as a ballistic modifier (homogenizer) for single base propellants. Heart disease has been seen in workers exposed to 2,4- or 2,6-DNT. 2,4- and 2,6-DNT may also affect the nervous system and the blood of exposed workers. One study showed that male workers exposed to 2,4- and 2,6-DNT had reduced levels of sperm, but later studies did not confirm the finding. Exposure to high levels of these compounds in animals regularly show lowered numbers of sperm and reduced fertility. Studies of animals have also shown that a reduction in the numbers of red blood cells, nervous system disorders, and liver and kidney damage can occur. Both 2,4- and 2,6-DNT can cause liver cancer in laboratory rats, and may produce the same effect in humans. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has determined that the mixture of 2,4- and 2,6-DNT is a probable human carcinogen. Toxic gases and vapors (such as nitrogen oxides and carbon oxides) may be released in a fire involving dinitrotoluene.

Diphenylamine (DPA) is found in some single-base propellants. DPA is used as a stabilizer in single-based propellants. Since it is incompatible with Nitroglycerin, it is not used in double-base and triple-base propellant compositions. Inhalation of DPA may cause irritation to the mucous membranes. Inhalation of dust may cause systemic poisoning, symptoms may parallel those from ingestion exposure. Exposure through ingestion, skin contact, and inhalation may cause methemoglobinemia. Ingestion may cause anoxia, headache, fatigue, anorexia, cyanosis, vomiting, diarrhea, emaciation, hypothermia, bladder irritation, kidney, heart, and liver damage. Prolonged or repeated exposure from inhalation or skin absorption of liquid may cause damage to the nervous system, liver, kidneys, and bone marrow.

Ethyl Centralite: (Trade name: Carbamite; Synonym: Diphenyl Diethyl Urea) is used as a stabilizer, gelatinizer, and waterproofing agent in propellants. Ethyl Centralite can be used in relatively large proportions (up to 8%) of the propellant composition. Components are Ammonium Nitrate, Paraffin Oil, and Zinc Oxide. Acute exposure to ammonium nitrate can cause eye and skin irritation. Decomposition of ammonium nitrate caused by fire or overheating or the presence of impurities, gives rise to nitrous fumes causing initial irritant effect on the mucous membrane of the lungs. Fumes from decomposition are hazardous. Long-term health effects from chronic exposure are not known.

Hexachloroethane: found in some smoke ammunition. Exposure to high concentrations may cause liver and kidney damage. Hexachloroethane has been identified as a carcinogen or potential carcinogen. Inhalation: Harmful if inhaled. Dust or vapor irritating to the respiratory tract. Skin: Harmful if absorbed through the skin. Eye: Causes eye irritation. Ingestion: Harmful if swallowed. Ingestion of large amounts may cause central nervous system depression based on animal data.

Incendiary Compound IM-23: is composed of 50% potassium perchlorate and 50% magnesium aluminum alloy. The limited database on the toxicology of perchlorate confirms its potential to disrupt thyroid hormone production in mammalian test species, but no robust data exist to evaluate the dose-response for this thyroid effect or to evaluate other potential target tissues or effects. Acute inhalation of magnesium aluminum alloy powder may irritate the respiratory tract. Symptoms may include coughing, shortness of breath, sore throat and runny nose. Exposure to magnesium oxide fume subsequent to burning, welding or molten metal work can result in metal fume fever. Metal fume fever's temporary symptoms include fever, chills, nausea, vomiting and muscle pain. These symptoms usually occur 4-12 hours after exposure and last up to 48 hours. Magnesium oxide fume is a by-product of burning magnesium.

Lead Azide: found in some primers; lead azide is classified as an “explosive A” and is also referred to as “initiating explosive lead styphnate”. Lead azide can affect you when breathed in. Skin and eye contact can cause irritation. Exposure can cause headaches, irritability, reduced memory, and disturbed sleep. Lead poisoning can cause poor appetite, colic, upsets stomach, nausea, and muscle cramps. Higher levels can cause muscle and joint pains, weakness, and nerve damage. Lead Azide may cause kidney and brain damage and damage to blood cells causing anemia. It has not been tested for its ability to cause cancer.

Lead Carbonate: found in some single-base propellants. Lead can be absorbed through the respiratory system. Local irritation of bronchia and lungs can occur and, in cases of acute exposure, symptoms such as metallic taste, chest and abdominal pain, and increased lead blood levels may follow. Ingestion: Poison! The symptoms of lead poisoning include abdominal pain and spasms, nausea, vomiting, headache. Acute poisoning can lead to muscle weakness, "lead line" on the gums, metallic taste, definite loss of appetite, insomnia, dizziness, high lead levels in blood and urine with shock, coma and death in extreme cases. Lead and lead compounds may be absorbed through the skin on prolonged exposure; the symptoms of lead poisoning described for ingestion exposure may occur. Lead is a cumulative poison and exposure even to small amounts can raise the body's content to toxic levels.

Lead Styphnate, Basic (Lead hydroxide styphnate, lead hydroxide 2,4,6 trinitroresorcinate): is an initiating explosive. According to Winchester Ammunition ©, Basic Lead Styphnate is highly toxic and is carcinogenic. Routes of absorption are: inhalation, ingestion, and skin and eye contact. Basic lead styphnate may be fatal if inhaled or ingested. Acute inhalation may cause irritation of nose, throat, upper respiratory tract, and lungs. Severe poisoning may impair vision by damaging the optic nerve. Chronic inhalation may cause damage to central and peripheral nerves, blood, kidneys, and the fetus. Male reproductive function may be impaired. Lead has been identified as an animal carcinogen; it may produce cancer in humans. It has been shown to affect fetal development. Lead crosses the placenta and may affect the fetus causing birth defects, mental retardation, behavioral disorders, and death during the first year of childhood. Decomposition of Basic Lead Styphnate produces carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxides, and lead fumes.

Lead Styphnate, Normal (Lead trinitroresorcinate): is an initiating explosive. According to Winchester Ammunition ©, Normal Lead Styphnate is highly toxic and is carcinogenic. Routes of absorption are: inhalation, ingestion, and skin and eye contact. Normal Lead Styphnate may be fatal if inhaled or ingested. Acute inhalation may cause irritation of nose, throat, upper respiratory tract, and lungs. Severe poisoning may impair vision by damaging the optic nerve. Chronic inhalation may cause damage to central and peripheral nerves, blood, kidneys, and the fetus. Male reproductive function may be impaired. Lead has been identified as an animal carcinogen; it may produce cancer in humans. It has been shown to affect fetal development. Lead crosses the placenta and may affect the fetus causing birth defects, mental retardation, behavioral disorders, and death during the first year of childhood. Decomposition of Normal Lead Styphnate produces carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxides, and lead fumes – all of which are hazardous to human health.

Magnesium Aluminum Alloy: found in some incendiary mixtures. Acute exposure may irritate the respiratory tract. Symptoms may include coughing, shortness of breath, sore throat and runny nose. If sufficient amounts are inhaled and absorbed, symptoms may resemble those in acute ingestion. Skin contact may cause irritation with symptoms of redness, swelling, itching and pain. Ingestion may cause gastroenteritis (inflammation of the lining membrane of the stomach and intestines) with abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea. Systemic effects may follow and may include ringing of the ears, dizziness, elevated blood pressure, blurred vision and tremors. Magnesium oxide fume is a by-product of burning magnesium.

Magnesium Powder: found in some tracer mixtures. Dust may cause irritation to upper respiratory tract. Inhalation of fumes may results in “leukocytosis”. Contact may cause irritation of skin, eyes, and mucous membranes. Inhalation may irritate the respiratory tract. Symptoms may include coughing, shortness of breath, sore throat and runny nose. If sufficient amounts are inhaled and absorbed, symptoms may resemble those in acute ingestion. Ingestion may cause gastroenteritis (inflammation of the lining membrane of the stomach and intestines) with abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea. Systemic effects may follow and may include ringing of the ears, dizziness, elevated blood pressure, blurred vision and tremors. Health effects of chronic exposure are unknown.

Mercury fulminate: is a crystalline compound used in primers, percussion caps, blasting caps and other detonators. All forms of mercury can cross the placenta to the fetus, but most of what is known has been learned from experimental animals. Chronic exposure through any route (inhalation, ingestion, or dermal absorption) can produce central nervous system damage. May cause muscle tremors, personality and behavior changes, memory loss, metallic taste, loosening of the teeth, digestive disorders, skin rashes, brain damage and kidney damage. Can cause skin allergies and accumulate in the body. Repeated skin contact can cause the skin to turn gray in color. Not a known reproductive hazard, but related mercury compounds can damage the developing fetus and decrease fertility in males and females. Environmental Toxicity: this substance is expected to significantly bioaccumulate.

Nitrocellulose: Single-base propellants contain approximately 80% nitrocellulose. Limited animal studies have concluded nitrocellulose is not toxic. Data is currently not available regarding potential human toxicity from drinking water and other exposures. Nitrocellulose is the principle ingredient of propellants, smokeless powders, rocket fuel, mortar increments and some explosives.

Polyvinyl Chloride: found in some tracer mixtures. Routes of exposure: inhalation and ingestion. According to the manufacturer, polyvinyl chloride as a resin is relatively inert. Its main hazard is associated with small amounts of unreacted vinyl chloride and other additives in plastic. Inhalation of dust should be avoided. Vinyl chloride, a combustion product of polyvinyl chloride is a known carcinogen and is known to induce the formation of tumors in lungs, thorax, respiratory system, and skin.

Potassium Sulfate: found in some single-base propellants. When burned, produces toxic sulfur dioxide fumes. Acute inhalation may irritate the respiratory tract. Symptoms may include coughing, shortness of breath, sore throat and runny nose. Skin contact may cause irritation with symptoms of redness, swelling,itching and pain. Acute ingestion may cause gastroenteritis (inflammation of the lining membrane of the stomach and intestines) with abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea. Systemic effects may follow and may include ringing of the ears, dizziness, elevated blood pressure, blurred vision and tremors. Effects of chronic exposure are unknown. Decomposition products: oxides of sulfur.

Red Phosphorus (Amorphous Phosphorus): constitutes as much as 50% of some incendiary mixtures. When heated, it emits highly toxic fumes of oxides of phosphorus. Red phosphorus spotting charges can burn at 2,732 degrees Fahrenheit for one-tenth of a second and produce a 6- to 8- foot flame capable of starting vegetation on fire. Human health risks associated with acute or chronic ingestion are described as minimal.

Strontium Peroxide: found in some tracer mixtures. Routes of exposure include eye contact, skin contact, inhalation, and ingestion. Human effects and symptoms of overexposure from acute inhalation: irritation of the respiratory tract. Symptoms may include coughing, shortness of breath, sore throat, and runny nose. If sufficient amounts are inhaled an absorbed, symptoms may resemble those in acute ingestion. Acute skin contact may cause irritation with symptoms of redness, swelling, itching, and pain. Acute eye contact may cause irritation with symptoms of redness, swelling, itching, tearing, and pain. Acute ingestion may cause gastroenteritis (inflammation of the lining membrane of the stomach and intestines) with abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. Systemic effects may follow and may include ringing in the ears, dizziness, elevated blood pressure, blurred vision, and tremors. Effects of chronic exposure are unknown.

Strontium Nitrate: found in some tracer mixtures; constitutes 50% of some tracer mixtures. It is used to produce red in flares, stars and fires. Routes of exposure include eye contact, skin contact, inhalation, and ingestion. Human effects and symptoms of overexposure from acute inhalation: irritation of the respiratory tract. Symptoms may include coughing, shortness of breath, sore throat, and runny nose. If sufficient amounts are inhaled an absorbed, symptoms may resemble those in acute ingestion. Acute skin contact may cause irritation with symptoms of redness, swelling, itching, and pain. Acute eye contact may cause irritation with symptoms of redness, swelling, itching, tearing, and pain. Acute ingestion may cause gastroenteritis (inflammation of the lining membrane of the stomach and intestines) with abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. Systemic effects may follow and may include ringing in the ears, dizziness, elevated blood pressure, blurred vision, and tremors. Effects of chronic exposure are unknown.

Titanium Tetrachloride: found in some smoke ammunition; produces fumes in moist air. Acute exposure to titanium tetrachloride lasting seconds or minutes may cause injury to skin or mucous membranes of sufficient severity to threaten life or cause permanent physical impairment. Chronic exposure may cause similar permanent injury.

White Phosphorus: found in some smoke ammunition, emits highly toxic fumes or oxides of phosphorus. White phosphorus is dangerously reactive in air and turns red in sunlight. If combustion occurs in a confined space, it will remove the oxygen and render the air unfit to support life. High concentrations of the vapors evolved by burning it are irritating to the nose, throat, and lungs as well as the skin, eyes, and mucous membranes. If phosphorus is ingested, it can be absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract or through the lungs. The absorption rate of toxic quantities of phosphorus has an acute effect on the liver and is accompanied by vomiting and marked weakness. White phosphorus is especially hazardous to the eyes and can damage them severely; it can also seriously damage teeth and bones.

Zirconium: constitutes as much as 75% of some incendiary mixtures. Routes of exposure include eye contact, skin contact, inhalation, and ingestion. Human effects and symptoms of overexposure from acute inhalation: irritation of the respiratory tract. Symptoms may include coughing, shortness of breath, sore throat, and runny nose. If sufficient amounts are inhaled and absorbed, symptoms may resemble those in acute ingestion. Acute skin contact may cause irritation with symptoms of redness, swelling, itching, and pain. Acute eye contact may cause irritation with symptoms of redness, swelling, itching, tearing, and pain. Acute ingestion may cause gastroenteritis (inflammation of the lining membrane of the stomach and intestines) with abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. Systemic effects may follow and may include ringing in the ears, dizziness, elevated blood pressure, blurred vision, and tremors. Effects of chronic exposure are unknown.

Glossary

Acute exposure: Occurring over a short time, usually a few minutes or hours. An acute exposure can result in short-term or long-term health effects. An acute effect happens a short time (up to 1 year) after exposure.

Ammunition is a generic military term that applies to bombs, grenades, rockets, mines, projectiles and other similar weapons.

Bag guns employ propellant charges (grains) packed in silk bags. The use of bags is confined to large guns. The total number of bags is modified according to the weight and desired velocity of the separate projectile. The propellant bags are not attached to the projectile.

Black Powder, also called gunpowder, is a mixture of charcoal or other carbon and either potassium nitrate or sodium nitrate, with or without sulphur. It may be meal, granular, compressed or pelletized. Black powder is no longer used by the military as a propellant.

Bombs are explosive articles that are dropped from aircraft. They may contain a flammable liquid with bursting charge, a photo-flash composition or a bursting charge. The term excludes aerial torpedoes.

Bursters are a small charge of explosive used to open projectiles or other ammunition in order to disperse their contents.

Carcinogen: a substance or agent producing or inciting cancer.

Case guns fire fixed ammunition; the propellant is encased in a metal shell attached to the projectile.

Chronic exposure: Occurring over a long period of time (more than 1 year).

Deterrent: an organic material used to modify the burning characteristics of nitrocellulose. An analysis of deterrent showed that is contains 73.9% dinitrotoluenes (DNT’s), 20.6% dibutyl phthalate, 2.2% diphenylamine, and 3.3% benzene and insolubles.

Detonators (Group B explosives) include blasting caps, small arms primers, and fuzes.

Double-base propellants are used in the United States for mortar propellants, small rocket engines, shotgun shells, the 7.62-mm NATO rifle cartridge, recoilless rifles, and the Navy's 5"/54-caliber gun. Double- and triple-based propellants contain nitroglycerin.

Expelling charge is an explosive designed to eject the payload (projectile) without damage

Fuzes trigger a detonation or explosion in ammunition. The trigger mechanism may be mechanical, electrical, chemical or hydrostatic.

Gunpowders or smokeless powders are the propellants in use today. This substance is produced by combining nitrocellulose (nitric acid and cotton) with ether and alcohol to produce a low explosive; a small quantity of diphenylamine is added as a stabilizer. Although called smokeless powders, they are neither smokeless nor in powder form, but in granule form. Smokeless powders are classed as either single or multibase (double- or triple-base) powders

High explosives are not used in practice ammunition; examples of high explosives include TNT, RDX, HMX and picric acid.

Incendiary ammunition contains a flammable solid, liquid or gel including white phosphorus and one or more of the following: a propelling charge with primer and igniter charge; a fuze with burster or expelling charge.

Inert ammunition: See Wholly inert.

Initiating explosives (Group A) may contain lead azide, lead styphnate, mercury fulminate, tetracene, cyclonite (RDX), or pentaerythritol tetranitrate (PETN).

Illuminating ammunition is designed to produce an intense light for lighting up an area. Examples include illuminating cartridges, grenades and projectiles; and illuminating and target identification bombs. Illuminating ammunition may also include a burster, expelling charge or propelling charge.

Leukocytosis is a transient increase in the number of white blood cells (leukocytes) in the blood, due to various causes.

Low explosives include black powder, solid propellants, and pyrotechnics.

Methemoglobinemia, commonly referred to as "blue baby syndrome," is a condition that interferes with the blood's ability to carry sufficient oxygen to individual body cells and is often associated with exposure to elevated levels of nitrates in drinking water. However, exposure to other chemicals may also be a principal cause of methemoglobinemia; examples of industrial chemicals include: all isomers of dinitrotoluenes, 2,4,6 trinitrotoluene, m-dinitrobenzene, nitric oxides, and other toxins associated with munitions. Chlorate compounds, nitrobenzene, and nitroglycerin are also reported inducers of methemoglobinemia.

Practice ammunition containing a burster or expelling charge, but does not contain a main bursting charge. Normally it also contains a fuze and a propelling charge (propellant).

Primary explosives are very sensitive to heat, impact or friction and detonates or burn very rapidly. The main primary explosives are mercury fulminate, lead azide and lead styphnate.

Primers are used to ignite an explosive charge. A cap primers is a metal or plastics cap containing a small amount of primary explosive mixture that is readily ignited by impact. Tubular primers have a primer for ignition and a secondary charge of explosive such as black powder.

Projectiles are shells or bullets that are projected from a cannon or other artillery gun, rifle or other small arm. They may be inert, with or without tracer, or may contain a burster or expelling charge or a bursting charge.

Propellants are explosives used for propulsion or for reducing the drag of projectiles. They are classified by such terms as single-base, double-base, and composite.

Proof ammunition containing pyrotechnic substances, used to test the performance or strength of new ammunition, weapon component or assemblies.

Pyrophoric articles contain a substance capable of spontaneous ignition when exposed to air and an explosive substance or component. The term normally excludes articles containing white phosphorus.

Secondary explosives are relatively insensitive (when compared to primary explosives) and are usually initiated by primary explosives

Signal cartridges provide visual observation (smoke) of weapon-target impact. See also: Smoke ammunition.

Single-base propellants: nitrocellulose is the principal explosive present; other substances are added to control burning rates and stability.

Smoke ammunition contains smoke-producing substance such as chlorosulphonic acid mixture, titanium tetrachloride or white phosphorus; or smoke-producing pyrotechnic composition based on hexachloroethane or red phosphorus. Smoke ammunition also contains one or more of the following: a propelling charge with primer and igniter charge; a fuze with burster or expelling charge.

Smokeless Powder is used almost exclusively as the propellant for gun and rocket ammunition. It is manufactured under uniform conditions and grained to a uniform size in the form of flakes, strips, sheets, balls, cords or perforated cylindrical grains. Some of the more frequently used types of smokeless powder are guncotton, Ballistite, and Cordite N.

Tracers for ammunition contain pyrotechnic substances designed to reveal the path of a projectile.

Triple-base propellants are double-base propellants with the addition of nitroguanidine. Triple-base propellants are used in tank rounds and are being tested for new long-range artillery rounds. Double- and triple-based propellants contain nitroglycerin.

Wholly inert ammunition has never contained reactive materials; a dummy munition is an example of a wholly inert ammunition. It is important to note that once an item is employed as a component of a military munition, it is no longer considered wholly inert. See also: Practice ammunition.

Resources

Federation of American Scientists, Military Analysis Network. Practice Bombs.
http://www.fas.org/man/dod-101/sys/dumb/practice.htm

Federation of American Scientists, Military Analysis Network, Glossary of Terms.
http://www.fas.org/man/dod-101/sys/land/glossary.htm#P

Grolier International Encyclopedia, Ammunition, © 1991.

Grolier International Encyclopedia, Bomb, © 1991.

Report of the Nato Advanced Research Workshop on Destruction of Military Toxic Waste, Naaldwijk, The Netherlands, 22-27, May 1994. http://www.opcw.nl/chemhaz/arwnaal1.htm (September 21, 2000).

U.S. Department of Defense, Department of Defense Policy to Implement the EPA’s Military Munitions Rule, July 1,1998. http://www.uscg.mil/systems/gse/munitions_policy.htm

Defense Ammunition Center, Munitions Items Disposition Action System (MIDAS) Program, Navy Single Base Propellant Constituencies. http://206.37.242.3/midas/disp_alt/DISPALTSNAVY_SINGLE_BASE_PROPELLANT_CONS.html

Island Pyrochemical Industries, Propellant Stabilizers. http://www.islandgroup.com/PropellantStabilizers.html

Chemical Propulsion Information Agency, Propulsion Acronyms and Trade Names. http://www.jhu.edu/~cpia/acronyms.html

University of Utah, Material Safety Data Sheets. http://www.health.adelaide.edu.au/rheum/TQEH/msds/msds.htm

Chemical Propulsion Information Agency, Propulsion Acronyms and Trade Names. http://www.jhu.edu/~cpia/acronyms.html

National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), Occupation Safety and Health Guidelines for Dinitrotoluene. http://www.oshaslc.gov/SLTC/healthguidelines/dinitrotoluene/recognition.html

Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry, Public Health Statement, 2,4- and 2,6-Dinitrotoluene
http://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/ToxProfiles/phs8913.html

USEPA, Office of Groundwater and Drinking Water, Perchlorate Fact Sheet. http://www.epa.gov/ogwdw/ccl/perchlor/perchlo.html

Material Safety Data Sheet, Magnesium Aluminum Alloy Powder, Hummel Croton, Inc.
http://www.hummelcroton.com/m_mgal.html

Military Toxics Project - "Networking for Environmental Justice"
P.O. Box 558, Lewiston, ME, 04243
Phone: (207) 783-5091 - Fax: (207) 783-5096 - Web: www.miltoxproj.org