Debunking the Myth of Open Burning/Open Detonation's Environmental Unacceptability
Abstract
For more than 40 years, open burning/open detonation (OB/OD) procedures have been the mainstay of energetic-ordnance disposal activities. Because these thermal treatment processes have been safe, reliable, expeditious, and economical, both government and industry felt little incentive until the early 1980s to develop other means for destroying the preponderance of unwanted munitions. In the last decade, however, OB/OD operations have been under a cloud of environmental suspicion, and provisions of the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act subpart X sparked widespread concern that many or most OB/OD sites would be closed by the end of 1991. The ammunition community continues to bear these concerns. Although most OB/OD sites remain operational, the demilitarization situation is serious. The amount of munitions awaiting disposal, 250,000 tons ten years ago, will reach 425,000 tons by the end of CY1994. As overseas stocks return to the continental United States and as combat units deactivate, this burdensome inventory will continue to grow. The storage system, already saturated, will be less able to accept and properly store these munitions as military installations, including storage depots, are being realigned or closed. And, both environmental regulators and the public are showing increased interest in disposal activities, particularly OB/OD operations. If regulators were to decide to close all OB/OD sites because they believed these thermal treatments unsound, our serious situation would become critical.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Aug 01, 1994
- Accession Number
- ADA507259
Entities
People
- Douglas P. Bacon
- Macdonald B. Johnson