EPA Updates Air Emission Factors for Ordnance

The EPA released final emission factors for the following ordnance categories: Fuses [Fuzes] and Primers; Mines and Smoke Pots; Grenades; Projectiles, Canisters and Charges; Large Cartridges (>75mm); and Small Arms. The air emission factors for ordnance are documented in Chapter 15 (Ordnance Detonation) of EPA's AP-42 (5th edition, Volume I). EPA's effort to develop and capture air emissions factors for ordnance has been a work in progress which started several years back when the Army first developed emission factors for nine ordnance items through testing conducted at Dugway Proving Grounds (a.k.a. bang box tests) and the Army Environmental Center. The ordnance for which emission factors were first developed included a 155mm illumination round, green and white star signal flares, and simulators (flash artillery, booby trap, and hand grenade).

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EPA Releases Draft MEC Hazard Assessment Guidance for Public Comment

The EPA published a notice of availability of the Draft Munitions and Explosives of Concern (MEC) Hazard Assessment Guidance in the Federal Register. The hazard assessment model was put together by the Technical Working Group for Hazard Assessments which was made up of representatives from the EPA, DoD, Department of the Interior, various State regulatory agencies, and Tribes. The MEC Hazard Assessment model evaluates explosives safety risk by looking at three components severity, accessibility, and sensitivity. There are various input parameters that make up each of the 3 components. In all, there are nine separate input factors or parameters that are assessed for each site including 2 for the severity component, 5 for the accessibility component, and 2 for the sensitivity component.

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International Treaty Addressing UXO Left Over From War Takes Effect

An international treaty negotiated through the United Nations governing the cleanup of UXO left from war went into effect when it was ratified by 26 states. The treaty known as the Protocol on Explosive Remnants of War requires parties to an armed conflict to:

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Mailing of Inert or Replica Munitions Banned in Canada

Ottawa, Canada  Canada Post (equivalent to the U.S. Mail in States) announced that it has amended their Non-Mailable Matter Regulations to prohibit the mailing of inert or replica munitions into Canada, out of Canada, or within Canada. The new regulations became effective October 4, 2006.

In recent years several inert or replica grenades and artillery shells were found in the mail stream which resulted in numerous evacuations of postal facilities. These evacuations cause stress for employees and have a significant impact on mail processing and delivery standards. Postal authorities were also concerned that workers may be become complacent around munitions and therefore may not react appropriately should a real munition that poses an explosives safety threat be found in the mail system.


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