Purpose:

Regulatory enforcement of environmental laws and regulations continues to expand with regard to munitions production and military range operations. In 1997, the Army identified the need to quantify emissions resulting from munitions use and assess the associated risk to human health and the environment. The U.S. Army Environmental Center has since developed a comprehensive program to identify the emissions and hazards resulting from range operations. This program has determined that two of the colored signal smoke grenades and one of the hexachloroethane smoke pots used in training contain and emit significant quantities of toxic and carcinogenic dyes. While these signaling devices are critical to military training and provide a means of communication to immediately cease operations in the event a safety issue arises during training exercises, the dyes contained within the smoke pose a potential risk to nearby soldiers, receptors, and production/test personnel. The objective of this project is to provide the Department of Defense with the next generation of signal devices for military training and operations.

Description:

Several candidate alternative materials have been identified although testing is required to validate the functional and operational capabilities of these signaling devices with the alternative (less toxic) dye materials prior to their implementation. To complete the transition, the new smoke formulations must meet military standard criteria including the Soldiers Observer and Maintainer Test and Evaluation requirements. These requirements include a Production Validation Test (PVT) designed to test items produced outside the normal line type production. A color comparison is included in the PVT. The color comparison involves soldiers testing the items on the ground as well as helicopters testing the items from the sky to ensure that the color is accurate. Further environmental and human health assessments will include environmental fate, inhalation, and toxicological tests. If these tests prove successful, the Material Change Approval will be issued and the resulting formulation phased into production.

Benefit

The substitution of dyes in the identified smoke grenades and the smoke pot will eliminate carcinogenic materials from the signaling devices. Harm to soldiers, the environment, and surrounding communities will be significantly reduced along with the the potential for fines and penalties associated with the impacts of these items. Combat training realism will be enhanced and less restrive upon deployment of these devices.
(Anticipated Project Completion - 2005)

Contact:

Tamera L. Clark-Rush
U.S. Army Environmental Center
ATTN: SFIM-AEC-ETD (Clark-Rush)
Aberdeen Proving Ground, MD 21010-5401
Phone: 410-436-6849
Fax: 410-436-6836
E-mail: tamera.clark@aec.apgea.army.mil