Military training ranges as a source of environmental contamination

With land use becoming an ever more pressing issue for the Department of Defense (DOD), the possibility of environmental contamination from normal training operations must be addressed. This article examines the potential for contamination from the propellants, explosives, and pyrotechnics (PEP) associated with military training; includes a synopsis of some of the studies conducted to date; touches on the fate and transport of PEPs; and discusses the DOD approach to investigating the potential for contamination from normal training. While DOD is attempting to proactively address potential problems, one thing has become clear: better communication, both internal and external to DOD, is a must.