Reviews of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology

Nitroaromatic compounds, including 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene (TNT), hexahydro-1,3, 5-trinitro-1,3,5-triazine (RDX), octahydro-1,3,5,7-tetranitro-1,3,5-tetrazocine (HMX), N-methyl-N,2,4,6-tetranitroaniline (tetryl), and associated byproducts and degradation products, were released to the environment during manufacturing and load, assembly, and pack (LAP) processes at U.S. Army Ammunition Plants (AAPs) and other military facilities. As a result of the release of these nitroaromatic compounds into the environment, many AAPs have been placed on the National Priorities List for Superfund cleanup (Fed. Reg. 60:20330). Many of these sites cover a wide expanse of relatively undisturbed land and provide diverse habitats that support a variety of aquatic and terrestrial species. Nitroaromatics are potentially toxic to the indigenous species at these sites and present a significant concern for site remediation. Table 1 presents an overview of ranges of detected concentrations of the nitroaromatic compounds in groundwater, surface water, sediment, and soil at military and manufacturing sites.

When an issue on food safety is considered, it is important to state that absolute safety is not possible. Scientists and consumers alike concede that risks are associated with food as the result of compounds of chemical or microbiological origin. In fact, foods considered safe under normal conditions would not qualify for a “seal of approval” guaranteeing 100% safety if they were consumed in excessive quantities or used in an unusual manner. Relative food safety can be defined as the practical certainty that injury or damage will not result from the ingestion of a food or ingredient used in a reasonable and customary manner and quantity (57, 58).