Toxicity and degradation of explosives

Safety regulations about handling energetic materials deal mostly with the protection of man against explosions. Explosives contain many components with toxic hazards where protection measures are necessary or a replacement by other substances should be considered. Not only the well-known toxins like aromatic nitro compounds, nitrosamines, mercury, and lead are important, but also hazardous burning and detonation products and metabolites arising in the environment need serious control. Residues of organic nitro compounds and nitrates in the environment show, influenced by the microbiology, slow degradation reactions. Recently developed compounds have to be investigated to assess toxicity risks and possible endocrine effects.