A new category has been added to the UXOInfo.com UXO Document Library  "Awareness". The "Awareness" category includes a variety of posters, briefings, and presentations on basic UXO Awareness. The collection was put together from various UXO projects across DoD including the Dolly Sods FUDS located in the Monongahela National Forest, West Virginia. 20 documents have been uploaded to the UXO Document Library so far including the Army's Sergeant Woof UXO coloring book shown in the image below.

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Downers Grove, Illinois  A 29 year-old man was killed as he attempted to "inspect" a commercial grade firework shell that appeared to be a dud. The accident occurred during an illegal fireworks display set up by the man and his friends during a bachelor party for another member of the group. The fireworks they used were reportedly commercial grade fireworks that were several years old.

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San Francisco, California  The Alameda County bomb squad responded to a call to remove an old box of munitions found at a house just outside of Oakland. The box was found by a man hired by the homeowner to clear old lumber and debris from under a stairwell in preparation for a new deck and stairs to be built. The man who found the old wooden box reportedly had to pry open the lid to see what was inside. Upon opening the lid, the man found several munition items inside including at least two landmines, two grenades, and fuzes.

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An interesting memo dated 19 June 1945 from the Office of the Chemical Warfare Service Liaison Officer (War Department Air Technical Service Command) to the Chief of the Chemical Warfare Service was found at the National Archives. The now de-classified memo outlines the modifications that would be necessary for U.S. planes to carry and drop 205 KG German Bombs. The modifications included changing the fuze adapter and nose fairing and installing a suspension plate so that the lugs on the German bomb could be matched to the aircraft suspension system. It's unknown if the German bombs were actually used by U.S. pilots but a plan was certainly in place to do so if needed. To view the 1945 memo (now de-classified) use the download link below.

Oklahoma City, Oklahoma  an unexploded incendiary device was found at the Salt Plains National Wildlife Refuge. Members of the Army's 22d Chemical Battalion (Tech Escort) found the item as they were working on the recovery of recently discovered Chemical Agent Identification Set (CAIS) vials. Tech Escort was initially called to the scene after a Boy Scott digging for crystal found the first CAIS vial. Reportedly, the boy accidentally broke the bottle and experienced some symptoms of exposure including coughing, burning eyes, and a runny nose. Fortunately, it was reported that he has no lingering ill effects.

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DoD's infamous Range Readiness Preservation Initiative (RRPI) that DoD has been pushing for several years with limited success appears to be still lingering around. Although no longer widely referred to as RRPI, the intent is still alive. DoD proposed two RRPI-like initiatives in the FY08 Defense Authorization Act (DAA) currently in Congress. The first, Under Section 314 "Range Management", seeks to clarify when UXO is considered a solid waste and when it can be considered a hazardous waste. This was previously referred to as the RCRA / CERCLA initiative because it helps to clarify the criteria or circumstances under which cleanup authority applies at ranges and UXO sites.

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The EPA posted a proposed rule in the Federal Register under 40 CFR Part 141 "Drinking Water: Regulatory Determinations Regarding Contaminants on the Second Drinking Water Contaminant Candidate List--Preliminary Determinations". Buried in the proposed rule were updated health advisor levels for 2,4- and 2,6-dinitrotoluene (DNT). DNT is used in the production of certain ammunition and explosives, including trinitrotoluene or TNT. DNT has been found at various concentrations at a variety of UXO sites including in sediment samples taken near underwater munitions disposal sites. See NOAA Report Article Posted 05 April

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