Ammunition Hazardous Waste Sites

As a result of the extensive production of ammunition before and during World War II, a large number of hazardous waste sites still exist in Germany, where both soil and water are polluted by explosives and their transformation 

In the non-target analysis of this sample, carried out by LC-NMR and LC-MS, TNT-typical biodegradation products such as 2-amino-4,6-dinitro-toluene and 4-amino-2,6-dinitrotoluene were detected, although smaller quantities of 2-amino-4,6-dinitrobenzoic acid, trinitrobenzene and 2,2/6,6/-tet-ranitro-4,4/-azoxytoluene could also be identified. The NMR chromatogram further reveals that the soil was also contaminated by PAHs. Several late-eluting compounds could be identified as PAHs. 

2 INDUSTRIAL EFFLUENTS AND LEACHATE FROM INDUSTRIAL LANDFILLS 

---

TSP-LC-MS in the negative mode was used to identify and quantify the explosives TNT, RDX and hexyl, as weU as their degradation products and other pollutants, in groundwater samples of an ammunition hazardous waste site after SPE applying LiChrolut EN. 31 compounds could be identified, such as nitramines and their by-products, TNT and partially nitrated toluenes, 1,3,5-ttinitrobenzene and partially nitrated benzenes, aminonitrotoluenes, nitroanilines, hexyl and nitro-phenols [205]. 

White phosphorus enters the environment when industries make it or use it to make other chemicals and when the military uses it as ammunition. It also enters the environment from spills during storage and transport. Because of the discharge of waste water, white phosphorus is likely to be found in the water and bottom deposits of rivers and lakes near facilities that make or use it. It may also be found at sites where the military uses phosphorus-containing ammunition during training exercises. Rainwater washout of these sites may contaminate nearby waterways and their bottom deposits. Hazardous waste sites that contain white phosphorus are also potential sources of exposure to people. However, because white phosphorus reacts very quickly with oxygen in the air, it may not be found far away from sources of contamination. 

Exposure Levels in Humans. Biomarkers for exposure to tetryl, especially metabolic products need to be identified so that biological monitoring studies can be conducted. Data are needed both for occupationally exposed populations and for populations living in the vicinity of Army ammunition plants and hazardous waste sites. These data would aid in evaluating the extent of human exposure. 

RDX particles can enter the air when it is disposed of by burning. RDX can enter the water from disposal of waste water from Army ammunition plants, and can enter water or soil from spills or leaks from improper disposal at these plants or at hazardous waste sites. RDX dissolves very slowly and to a limited extent in water, and it also evaporates very slowly from water. It does not cling to soil very strongly and can get into the groundwater from soil. RDX can be broken down in air and water in a few hours, but it breaks down more slowly in soil. RDX does not build up in fish or in people. See Chapters 4 and 5 for more information on RDX in the environment. 

Workers involved in the production and use of RDX at Army ammunition plants constitute a group at risk because of the potential for occupational exposure. Persons living near Army ammunition plants or hazardous waste sites may have a higher risk of exposure to RDX resulting from inhalation of dusts or fumes, ingestion of contaminated drinking water, or contact with contaminated soil. 

---