What are considered "hazardous characteristics" of military munitions?

The correct answer highlights the significant traits of military munitions that pose safety and environmental risks. Hazardous characteristics refer to attributes that can lead to harm to human health or the environment if the munitions are not properly managed. These traits include toxicity, which indicates the potential to cause harm to living organisms; flammability, which presents a risk of fire and explosion; and reactivity, which describes how these materials engage chemically with other substances, potentially leading to dangerous reactions.

Understanding these characteristics is critical for ensuring safe handling, storage, and disposal of military munitions. Proper identification and management of these risks are necessary to comply with environmental regulations and mitigate harm to personnel and the surrounding community.

In contrast, factors like unregulated chemicals, physical dimensions, or the costs of production and deployment do not directly relate to the hazardous nature of the munitions themselves. While these factors may impact operations, they do not define the inherent dangers associated with handling and using military munitions.