Experimental survey regarding the dangerous chemical compounds from military polygons that affect the military health and the environment

Abstract

Activities specific to the military field, regarding the instruction process or the missions in the operating theatres, require military personnel to be exposed to a series of toxic chemical compounds, with effects ranging from short to long term. European legislation regarding environmental protection and employee health has become stricter and it directly influences the choice of materials that will be turned into ammunition. Most energetic materials from ammunition contain compounds whose synthesis and decomposition involves the release of high toxicity products into the environment. Shootings with classical weapons systems have an effect on the environment, in the shooting area and also in the place of impact with the objective, having both direct (the shock wave that results from the ammunition exploding, shrapnel, sound waves, high temperatures) and indirect (unexploded ammunition, contamination of the environment) effects. This paper presents the results of experimental research conducted in military shooting ranges during the testing of diverse smoke ammunition, in order to detect and identify the released chemical compounds, thus studying their impact on the fighters' health and security and evaluating the risks they pose on the environment.