Danger From Explosive Ordnance

In choosing the correct detectors, other particular facts should also be considered. Whereas most ordnance is ferrous, fuses may be nonferrous and are usually buried separately from the projectile bodies and may be in large and dangerous quantities. Some explosives such as dynamite or C-3 and C-4 may not be in metallic containers, thus the nonferrous detonators may be the only clue to their location. Also, some chemical agent containers are nonferrous. Chemical weapon test sites may have the unique problem of arsenic, magnesium, and other metals in the soil. Ranges may have copper and beryllium in the soil. The effects of such contamination or natural soil conditions on the detection equipment should be carefully considered. 

Communities near chemical weapon storage depots in the United States are understandably worried about accidental spills or releases. M55 rockets containing large quantities of sarin (SB) are of particular concern. Some of this ordnance has been known to leak, and there is a very small risk of explosion from propellants. Extra safety precautions have been instituted to ensure safe incineration and to limit the amounts of effluent released into the environment. Despite the risks inherent in the destruction process, the dangers in allowing the weapons to rust and leak have been determined to be greater than carrying out the disposal. 

The research was the key at this site and will be the key to the adequate remediation of most ordnance sites. The research consumed about seven years of full-time work. The site was very dangerous and the subsequent finding and removal of over 8(X) chemical and explosive shells and KXX) bottles of chemicals and chemical warfare material to date, from a residential neighborhood, justified the expenditure of resources. The reader s site may be simpler, with less catastrophic potential, and may not justify all these reports. Nevertheless, the author is aware of a number of residential communities that continue to be built atop ordnance ranges without removing the ordnance first. 

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