The United Nations is currently supporting efforts to make parts of the South Pacific safe for habitation again, as the long-standing danger of unexploded ordnance (UXO) continues to pose increasing risks to public health and the environment. However, experts warn that corroding munitions left behind from past conflicts are steadily leaking toxic substances into land and marine ecosystems, deepening the threat faced by island communities.
A UN-partnered study, funded by the Government of Japan and supported by the UN Development Programme (UNDP), has confirmed the presence of hazardous heavy metals such as lead, arsenic, cadmium, as well as explosive residues in affected areas. Researchers report that UXO contamination is no longer confined to isolated sites but has become part of everyday life for many islanders, particularly in regions of the Solomon Islands, one of the most heavily contaminated areas in the Pacific since World War II.
According to lead researcher Dr. Stacey Pizzino of the University of Queensland, unexploded ordnance is visible in reefs and coastal waters, where it is sometimes even used by locals as makeshift anchors. She noted disturbing instances where children interact with these devices regularly, including extracting explosives from them for play, while in some communities, explosions are still heard frequently. Health concerns have also been reported, including skin rashes, sore eyes, and even symptoms in infants potentially linked to contaminated food sources.
The study documented severe cases of exposure, including a situation where confiscated underwater munitions tested with soil and dust showed extremely high levels of lead, a toxic substance with no safe exposure threshold for children due to its impact on brain development. This marks one of the first comprehensive scientific assessments of UXO-related contamination in the Pacific region.
Environmental testing across multiple sites, including Lever’s Point, revealed elevated levels of heavy metals in soil, along with explosive compounds such as TNT and PETN. In some areas, traces of contamination were also found in marine life, including shellfish, raising concerns about the spread of toxins through the food chain and the long-term risks to coastal communities.
Despite the dangers, ongoing clearance operations are helping restore safety in some areas. Local residents describe how explosive ordnance disposal teams remove and detonate hazardous devices, allowing communities to resume farming and daily activities with greater confidence. However, the scale of contamination makes the process slow and complex, with experts warning that more hazardous chemicals continue to leak into the environment over time.
UNDP officials emphasize that addressing unexploded ordnance is essential for sustainable development in the region, as contamination threatens both ecosystems and livelihoods. While the research does not claim to establish a definitive causal link across all health impacts, it highlights a credible and growing risk based on environmental data, community testimonies, and observed health patterns. Local residents continue to call for urgent removal of unexploded bombs so they can live, farm, and raise childre
