[CPEO-MEF] PERCHLORATE: "Perchlorate-Free Flares Undergo Qualification Testing"

[Lenny Siegel <lsiegel@cpeo.org>]

Perchlorate-Free Flares Undergo Qualification Testing

SERDP-ESTCP Headlines
Fall 2001

The U.S. Navy and Army are jointly testing two novel, perchlorate- 
free red flare compositions that were developed with SERDP and ESTCP  
support to qualify them for incorporation into service inventories.  
These perchlorate-free compositions have equal or superior  
performance compared to their in-service perchlorate-containing  
counterparts. When implemented by the military services, the flare  
compositions will eliminate the release of perchlorate from flares  
into the environment and, as a result, will help reduce risk to human  
health and the environment and prevent future groundwater  
contamination and costly cleanup efforts.

Perchlorates have long been used as oxidizers in military flares,  
rocket propellants, and other pyrotechnic materials, but studies  
showing that perchlorates can disrupt normal thyroid hormone  
production have raised concerns over their environmental impact. Most  
perchlorate salts are easily dissolved in water, and the potential  
for contamination of aquifers has prompted several states to  
establish stringent regulations for perchlorate in groundwater. The  
U.S. EPA also has initiated regulation of perchlorates under the Safe  
Drinking Water Act.

...

For the entire article, see
http://www.serdp-estcp.org/News-and-Events/In-the-Spotlight/ 
Perchlorate-Free-Flares-Undergo-Qualification-Testing


--

Lenny Siegel
Executive Director, Center for Public Environmental Oversight
a project of the Pacific Studies Center
278-A Hope St., Mountain View, CA 94041
Voice: 650/961-8918 or 650/969-1545
Fax: 650/961-8918
<lsiegel@cpeo.org>
http://www.cpeo.org

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