Applied Innovative Technologies for Characterization of Nitrocellulose and Nitroglycerin Contaminated Buildings and Soils

摘要

Badger Army Ammunition Plant (BAAAP), in Sauk County, Wisconsin, is one of many inactive Army ammunition plants currently under the control of the Department of Defense (DoD) with transitioning missions in place. These plants are in varying stages of transfer out of DoD control. In order to transfer these properties, DoD must characterize and decontaminate the properties to a level protective of human health and the environment. To accomplish this task, many buildings used in the production, loading, handling, and storage of explosives will have to be demolished or characterized and decontaminated. BAAAP alone has more than 1,400 buildings on the installation that have to be addressed. The contaminants of concern associated with the buildings at BAAAP include nitrocellulose (NC), nitroglycerine (NG), dinitrotoluene (DNT), and common environmental compounds such as asbestos-containing material (ACM), solvents, and metals. A previous Environmental Security Technology Certification Program (ESTCP) demonstration was performed between April 28, 2002, and May 13, 2002, to demonstrate candidate field test methods for NC and NG. The methods evaluated were Raman spectroscopy, EXPRAYTM colorimetric indicator, and the Cold Regions Research and Engineering Laboratory (CRREL) Royal Demolition Xplosive (RDX) colorimetric field screening method. The methods were used to test for the presence and/or concentration of NC or NG in soil samples and concrete slabs. Attempts were made to compare the results from these field measurements to laboratory analyses of NC and NG in the same materials to evaluate the reliability of the field screening and analytical methods for identifying and quantifying NC and NG in buildings and soils.