Wars and their toxic legacy | DW Documentary

Key Concepts

• Munitions dumping (World War I & II, post-war disposal)
• Toxic chemicals (TNT, ADNT, RDX, heavy metals: cobalt, nickel, arsenic, lead, barium, titanium)
• Environmental contamination (Baltic Sea, French coastline, Sardinian military testing grounds, Lake Jer)
• Health risks (cancer, genetic malformations, reduced fertility, heart and muscle problems)
• Lack of transparency and regulation
• Need for further research and remediation

Baltic Sea Munitions Dump

• Location: Off the coast of Germany.
• Researcher: Aaron Beck (Geo Marelmhalt Center for Ocean Research in K).
• Methodology: Using the Alor research vessel, Beck's team samples water around munitions on the seabed.
• Findings: Munitions are leaking TNT and ADNT.
• Scale: 300,000 tons of munitions were dumped after World War II.
• Public Map: Beck created a public map showing TNT concentrations in the Baltic Sea, with red dots indicating sample locations and concentration levels.
• Quote: "Anytime you find TNT, it's very clear that the munition is leaking. And if you find ADNT, it means that TNT had been leaking out." - Aaron Beck
• Significance: Highlights the ongoing contamination from historical munitions dumping.

French Coastline Investigation

• Motivation: Lack of data on munitions dumping along the French coast.
• Methodology: Investigating historical records, nautical maps, and diving expeditions.
• HMS Lifford: A World War II destroyer sunk off the coast of Wistraham. Divers collected water samples near the shipwreck.
• Fura Munitions Dump: A site near Fboy where the French army sunk explosives from World War I in the 1920s. Sediment and water samples were collected.
• Results:
  • Fura: High levels of d (2,41 ng/L) and crude TNT (2,355 ng/kg) in sediment, plus significant levels of cobalt, nickel, arsenic, and lead.
  • Wistraham: Residues of TNT and its derivatives in sand (242 ng/kg), and high levels of lead in water (3,100 ng/L).
• Quote: "The most important thing is not to touch any munitions. Clearly, all these munitions are dangerous because they're still um just as explosive as they were originally." - Aaron Beck
• Robin Hoods: An organization led by Shallotard Nitat that has been raising awareness about munitions pollution for 25 years.
• French Archive Law: An amendment that effectively makes all information that could lead to the location of munitions a secret indefinitely.

Lake Jer Investigation

• Location: V Mountains, France.
• Issue: Phosphorus munitions from World War I contaminating the lake, which supplements the town's drinking water.
• Methodology: Divers collected water, sediment, and aquatic grass samples near the munitions.
• Results:
  • Water: TNT levels reached 327 ng/L.
  • Aquatic grasses: 2,589 ng of TNT per kilo.
  • Increased levels of iron, lead, and titanium in the water.
• Action: Biologist Rah presented the findings to the mayor of Jerame Stie Spiceman Mosas, who contacted the regional health agency.
• Media Coverage: The investigation was covered by local media, raising public awareness.

Groundwater Pollution in Northeastern France

• Expert: Daniel (environmental engineer at the French Geological Survey or BRGM).
• Focus: Soil and groundwater pollution from chemicals from ordinance left over from the First World War.
• Findings: Groundwater is contaminated by compounds from old munitions, which are persistent pollutants.
• Tap Water Sampling: Samples taken from people's homes near the former World War I front line in France's Gontest region.
• Results:
  • 17 out of 20 samples contained residues of explosives.
  • Two samples exceeded health limits recommended by the United States.
• Regional Council Response: Kristoff Dumour, a regional counselor for G test, pledged to take up the matter at the regional assembly.

Sardinia Military Testing Grounds

• Location: Stora experimental and training area, Sardinia, Italy.
• Issue: Potential environmental contamination from military testing and disposal of obsolete munitions.
• Investigator: Masimo Coradu (physicist).
• Methodology: Hiking into the military zone to collect soil, sediment, and water samples.
• Results:
  • Samples near the military firing range showed the presence of RDX and high levels of titanium.
  • Samples from the test firing site in the mountains revealed the presence of TNT, barium, and other explosive compounds.
  • RDX was found in the sand on Kira Beach.
  • TNT and lead were found near pastures where dairy cows graze.
• Health Concerns: Marik Lord Millie lost her son, Valeri, a soldier who served at the Kira range, to an aggressive cancer.
• Lawsuit: Lawyer Gian Franco Solai is gathering testimonies from potential victims to hold those responsible accountable.

European Parliament Intervention

• Advocates: Physicists Masimo and Leon Ra.
• Meeting: With Damian Karim, a member of the European Parliament for France.
• Goal: To alert politicians and bring about concrete decisions to address munitions pollution.
• Call for Action: Karim called for transparency, a European program, and clear thresholds for regulatory limits.

Conclusion

The investigation reveals widespread environmental contamination from historical munitions dumping and military activities across Europe. The lack of transparency, regulation, and research poses significant health risks to local populations. The findings underscore the urgent need for further investigation, remediation efforts, and the establishment of clear regulatory standards at the European level to protect public health and the environment.