24 Jun 2025

A Field Sampling and Analysis Protocol for Assessing Occupational Exposure and Risk from Military Munition Storage Magazines

Abstract: An occupational health study was conducted inside reinforced-concrete earth-covered munitions storage magazines at Fort Wingate Depot Activity. HEPA vacuuming of bulk dust and wipe sample verification post-vacuuming was used. In Phase 1, no explosives detections exceeded site-specific screening criteria. In Phase 2, no exceedances were noted for detected explosives with criterion. Using structure/ reactivity characteristics within the explosives category, surrogates were assigned to the six explosives without occupational health screening criteria. Based upon structural similarities within the analysis category, assignments of surrogates to explosives without criteria did not adversely impact the conclusions. In Phase 1, lead was detected in bulk dust in all igloos, and all exceeded the applicable criterion for commercial/industrial workers. In Phase 2, all lead detections in wipe samples were below the wipe screening criteria. Results indicated the ECM interiors posed no unacceptable dermal occupational risk for explosives or lead residues following bulk dust removal. HEPA filter vacuuming of interior bulk dust in ECMs at FWDA reduced occupational risk/hazard for exposure via inhalation and dermal contact under worst-case exposure conditions. Both phases of sampling are widely applicable, provided the site-specific assumptions made for this study are evaluated for suitability to another specific application and adjusted if needed.

18 Feb 2022

Environmental Impact of Metals Resulting from Military Training Activities: A Review

Abstract: The deposition of metals into the environment as a result of military training activities remains a longterm concern for Defense organizations across the globe. Of particular concern for deposition and potential mobilization are antimony (Sb), arsenic (As), copper (Cu), lead (Pb), and tungsten (W), which are the focus of this review article. The fate, transport, and mobilization of these metals are complicated and depend on a variety of environmental factors that are often convoluted, heterogeneous, and site dependent. While there have been many studies investigating contaminant mobilization on military training lands there exists a lack of cohesiveness surrounding the current state of knowledge for these five metals. The focus of this review article is to compile the current knowledge of the fate, transport, and ultimate risks presented by metals associated with different military training activities particularly as a result of small arms training activities, artillery/mortar ranges, battleruns, rocket ranges, and grenade courts. From there, we discuss emerging research results and finish with suggestions of where future research efforts and training range designs could be focused toward further reducing the deposition, limiting the migration, and decreasing risks presented by metals in the environment. Additionally, information presented here may offer insights into Sb, As, Cu, Pb, and W in other environmental settings.