TNT-An Explosive Environmental Effects

Dr. A. Morrie Craig devoted at least half a century to science and served as a professor at Oregon State University. A scholar of biophysics and toxicology, Dr. Morrie Craig has written many peer-reviewed publications on toxins. He once spoke at the International Grassland Conference in Nairobi, Kenya, referencing his writing about introducing animals such as sheep, whose digestive processes can help reduce soil toxicity in grassy areas that were formerly the site of military conflicts. TNT is a source oi such toxins.

TNT is the most popular chemical explosive, widely used in munitions and for demolition. Stepwise nitration of toluene yields trinitrotoluene (TNT), a light yellow solid organic nitrogen compound. TNT may be melted in steam-heated tanks and poured into casings. It melts at 178 degrees Fahrenheit and does not detonate below 464 F. It is relatively shock-resistant and cannot be triggered without a detonator, making it an ideal chemical explosive for munitions.

Exposure to TNT can occur by inhalation, skin contact, or ingestion. TNT is easily absorbed through the skin, particularly when it’s wet. High levels of exposure can induce fatigue, migraines, anemia, liver damage, and harm the central nervous system. TNT also has the potential to cause cancer in humans.