The Pentagon needs more ammo for the Iran war. Small communities are paying the price.

Key Points:

• In 2024, flooding from Hurricane Helene caused toxic chemical leaks at the Radford Army Ammunition Plant in Virginia, including cancer-linked dibutyl phthalate and diesel fuel, with delayed public warnings and ongoing environmental contamination concerns.
• Radford and other aging Army ammunition plants, critical to U.S. munitions supply, have long histories of violating environmental and safety regulations, with recent EPA and state citations highlighting persistent pollution and safety issues.
• The Pentagon's push to rapidly increase munitions production amid global conflicts risks exacerbating pollution and health hazards for workers and nearby rural communities, raising concerns about prioritizing defense over environmental and public safety.
• Whistleblower reports from Crane Army Ammunition Activity revealed serious safety lapses and retaliation against safety staff, with subsequent EPA inspections confirming ongoing hazardous waste management violations and fire risks.
• Despite reductions in open burning of hazardous waste at facilities like Radford, the military continues practices linked to toxic emissions, with new EPA regulations pending; advocates highlight parallels to harmful burn pit exposures experienced by veterans overseas.