Cordite is a smokeless propellant used historically in ammunition (late 19th–20th century).
It is not used widely today, but may still be encountered in old munitions, historical weapons, or military contexts.

Cordite is typically made from:

Nitrocellulose

Nitroglycerin

Petroleum jelly or stabilizers

Additives such as diphenylamine

Although people often describe a “cordite smell,” modern ammunition does not use cordite—so many exposures attributed to cordite today are misnomers.

Health effects come mostly from the nitroglycerin, nitrocellulose breakdown products, and diphenylamine released when cordite burns or degrades.


Cordite is a smokeless propellant historically used in firearms and artillery. It is not a single chemical but a mixture, typically containing:

Nitroglycerin

Nitrocellulose

Petroleum jelly (or other stabilizers)

Sometimes diphenylamine, stabilizing salts, etc.

Exposure can occur through inhalation of fumes, skin contact, or handling residues. Below are the known short-term (acute) and long-term (chronic) health effects based on toxicology of its components and historical occupational studies.

✅ Short-Term (Acute) Effects
1. Respiratory irritation

Breathing cordite fumes—especially in confined spaces (e.g., firing ranges)—may cause:

Coughing

Chest tightness

Shortness of breath

Throat and nasal irritation

Nitroglycerin and nitrogen oxides produced during firing largely drive these symptoms.

2. Headache and vascular symptoms

Nitroglycerin is a potent vasodilator, so acute exposure may cause:

Intense headaches (“Monday morning headaches” historically reported by munitions workers)

Dizziness

Flushing

Low blood pressure

Nausea

These symptoms often resolve once exposure stops.

3. Skin and eye irritation

Direct contact with cordite or its solvents may cause:

Dermatitis

Redness or burning of skin

Eye irritation if particles or fumes reach the eyes

4. CNS effects (rare but possible with high exposure)

Significant inhalation of nitroglycerin-containing fumes can result in:

Lightheadedness

Confusion

Fatigue

Fainting (from vasodilation)

✅ Long-Term (Chronic) Effects

Long-term effects are largely associated with chronic exposure to nitroglycerin, nitrocellulose decomposition products, and stabilizers.

1. “Withdrawal” vasospasm in chronically exposed workers

Historically, munitions factory workers exposed to nitroglycerin experienced:

Tolerance to vasodilating effects during the workweek

Coronary vasospasm and severe headaches on weekends or after exposure ceased

This phenomenon is sometimes called “Monday disease.”

2. Chronic respiratory irritation

Prolonged exposure to combustion products may lead to:

Chronic cough

Exacerbation of asthma

Decreased lung function over time

This was mostly documented in military personnel working around artillery.

3. Skin sensitization or dermatitis

Repeated contact can cause chronic:

Dermatitis

Skin cracking

Sensitization to nitroglycerin or stabilizers

4. Cardiovascular effects (long-term nitroglycerin exposure)

Chronic exposure may disrupt normal vascular tone regulation:

Persistent headaches

Hypersensitivity to blood pressure changes

Increased risk of angina symptoms during “withdrawal” periods

No strong evidence suggests permanent heart damage from cordite alone, but cardiovascular instability has been documented.

5. Potential reproductive or mutagenic effects

Evidence is limited. Some stabilizers (e.g., diphenylamine, dinitrotoluene in certain formulations) are associated with:

Possible effects on sperm

Possible genotoxicity

However, cordite-specific epidemiological studies are sparse.

6. Cancer risk

There is no definitive evidence that cordite as a mixture causes cancer.
However:

Dinitrotoluene (found in some formulations) is a probable carcinogen

Combustion products (e.g., NOx, particulates) may increase long-term respiratory risk

Risk depends heavily on the exact cordite formulation and exposure levels.

⚠️ Who is most at risk?

Ammunition factory workers

Artillery crews

Indoor firing range personnel

Individuals repeatedly handling unburned propellant