Why does dynamite sweat and why does it make it more dangerous when most explosives become more reactive as they dry?
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[There is an article from an avid caver trying to sort fact from fiction on this very topic.](http://www.vegasunderworld.com/article-dynamite.html). This individual claims with good evidence that
it’s actually not as dangerous as people think, obviously you shouldn’t mess around with sweating dynamite but apparently the nitroglycerin actually breaks down very rapidly and becomes inert.
The article states:
>In search of a scientific explanation, I contacted a friend who is a Pharm D (Doctor of Pharmacy) and asked him about the explosive qualities of Nitroglycerin. He stated that in its purest medical form, Nitroglycerin only has a shelf life of about 6 months. Even if stored properly, at the end of 6 months, it would have a potency of less than 80% and this degradation was consistent.
He also did extensive research and was unable to find ANY recent articles citing death or injury from handling old dynamite and another source I have yet to find stated a government agency keeps track of this type of injury and any deaths and the last time one reported was over 60 years ago.
So yeah, apparently it’s not to be messed with but not the ticking time bomb people think.
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