Waste military munitions are typically hazardous waste due to their characteristic of:

• A. Ignitability
• B. Reactivity
• C. Corrosivity
• D. Toxicity

Answer: (B)

Reactivity is the hazardous waste characteristic that describes materials capable of violent chemical reactions, detonation, or the release of toxic gases under conditions like heat, pressure, shock, or when mixed with water. Waste from military munitions usually contains energetic materials and chemical agents designed to release energy, so they can explode or react violently if disturbed. This makes their waste reactive hazardous waste. Ignitability would apply to materials that ignite easily; corrosivity to acids or bases that corrode metals; toxicity to substances that harm health through exposure or leaching. While some munition components may be toxic, the defining reason their waste is hazardous is their reactivity.