The emphasis of this document is on soil and ground water contaminated with explosives rather than propellants, pyrotechnics, or munitions Explosives are classified as primary or secondary based on their susceptibility to initiation. Primary explosives, which include lead azide and lead styphnate, are highly susceptible to initiation. Primary explosives often are referred to as initiating explosives because they can be used to ignite secondary explosives. Because they are formulated to detonate only under specific circumstances, secondary explosives often are used as main charge or bolstering explosives. If a binder is used, it usually is an isocyanate-cured polyester or polyether.
Some propellants contain combustion modifiers, such as lead oxide.
Pyrotechnics include illuminating flares, signaling flares, colored and white smoke generators, tracers, incendiary delays, fuses, and photo-flash compounds. Pyrotechnics usually are composed of an inorganic oxidizer and metal powder in a binder. Illuminating flares contain sodium nitrate, magnesium, and a binder. Signaling flares contain barium, strontium, or other metal nitrates. Safety precautions must be taken at sites contaminated with explosive wastes to avoid initiation.