Ecological impact of explosives
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Ecological impacts of explosives are the effects that both unexploded explosives and post-explosion by-products have on the environment.[1] Explosive derived contaminants may have adverse effects on the environmental as well as human health.
In addition to their military use in warfare, explosives are also used in construction and demolition. Of greatest concern to the environment are secondary explosives, such as TNT, RDX, and HMX because they are produced and used in the greatest quantities.[2]
Explosives and their residual post explosion products can partition between multiple environmental compartments including aquatic, soil, atmosphere, and the biosphere.[2][3]