Military Armaments and Arsenals as a Source of Emerging Environmental Contaminants

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAs), polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and other chemical warfare agents (CWAs) are important emerging environmental contaminants (EECs) among other different kinds of pollutants released in the environment by the military armaments and arsenals. Environmental deterioration by military activities always remained unattended but they often have far-reaching impacts on the soil and biota. Modern nuclear weapons, long-lived chemicals, persistent toxic contaminates such as dioxins may have drastic impacts over generations. However, data and studies regarding the impact of military ammunition on humans and environment is scarce. Ongoing destruction of the environment has raised awareness about the devastating impact of military activities on the nature. This short communication is a means of creating awareness among scientific community about the drastic impact of EECs produced and spread by military operations on the life supporting environment on our blue planet which is a common home for all the human beings and is a message of universal brotherhood.