ABSTRACT
This chapter deals with the fumes created by detonating explosives and blasting agents which may contain reaction products that pose a health or environmental hazard. The bulk of the reaction products from a detonating oxygen-balanced explosive are harmless. Small amounts of toxic reaction products will, however, be formed as a result of deviations from oxygen balance, incomplete reaction, or secondary reactions with the atmospheric air. The chapter discusses these effects here, and also techniques for measurement and control of toxic fumes. The primary toxic fumes produced are carbon monoxide, nitrous oxide, and nitric oxide. Several laboratory methods have been developed in order to classify explosives for underground blasting. Among these are the Bichel Gauge, the Crawshaw-Jones Apparatus, and the Ardeer Tank method. In these methods, a small sample of the explosive is detonated in a closed tank, and the reaction product composition is then analyzed for its content of toxic fumes.
