Cease Fire Order at MMR

[ZAP 59 <ZAP59@aol.com>]

Green Munitions?

Dear E.P.A., D.E.P. and Citizens

With the cease fire order in place I thought that the National
Guard would stop polluting while the impact area and training
ranges were studied.Well, I am wrong. I received a study done in
1985, Propellant combustion product analyses on an M16 rifle and
a 105mm caliber gun. I focused on the M16 part of the study
because the National Guard is still shooting M16's with plastic
instead of lead bullets at Camp Edwards. A matter of fact one of
the new ranges is right behind the Forestdale school(prevailing
winds blow the combustion products directly to the school).

The M16 rifle is no ordenary rifle. In the 1960's (Vietnam) when
the M16 was introduced it was prone to jamming from propellant
byproducts fouling the breach mechanism ( propellant gases
operate the weapon not the recoil ). Propellant (gunpowder) and
explosives (primer) are invariably fuel rich. Olin Corp. answer
to the problem is a double base spheroidal WC844 propellant.
Essentially its a chemical mix of propellant, explosives,
lubricants, cleaners and combustion enhancers. So what spews
out; 90 trace gases were identified with 15 of these species
quantifiable in terms of mass of compound formed per unit mass
of propellant burned. 11 polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons
identified and quantified and 5 metal particulates in the
respirable range( plastic bullets= less metal particulates but
metals found were mostly from the primer). Hydrogen
cyanide(deadly gas), Hydrogen sulfide, Nitrogen oxides,
Cyanogen, Carbonyl sulfide, Acetaldehyde, Benzene, Ammonia and
not to forget alot of Carbon monoxide. Then we have the lower
molecular weight hydrocarbons. Benzo[A] pyrene I am told is a
known mutagen that all others(mutagens) are judged by. Other
significant levels of Flucranthene, Pyrene, Benz[A]anthracene
and Chrysene were identified. Inhalable metal particulates found
in significant quantities are zinc from the brass bullet case
from erosion by hot combustion gases, 3 metals in the primer,
lead(lead styphnate), barium(barium nitrate) and
antimony(antimony sulfide). I have only named some of the trace
gas species found in an M16. There are 90 trace gases identified
in this study but it also states that with a more extensive and
detailed study would undoubtedly yield many more trace gas
species. Many of the species identified have toxicological
problems associated with them.  There is a potential for adverse
health effects from the extended exposure to and inhalation of
propellant combustion products from an M16 rifle. The amount of
toxins released is approximately directly proportional to guns
fired. Range expansion is unthinkable. CEASE FIRE !

Paul Zanis
Impact Area Review Team