Bombs, torpedoes, sea mines and white phosphorus in the North Sea and Baltic Sea: Health hazards from the world wars

The Eckernförde section of the Schleswig-Holstein University Society is hosting a series of lectures at the Schleswig-Holstein Artists’ House otte1. On Wednesday, 19 November 2025, at 7 p.m., Prof. Dr Edmund Maser from the Institute of Toxicology and Pharmacology for Natural Scientists at Kiel University will speak on a problem that is becoming increasingly urgent, especially for the German coastal states. The topic of his lecture is: Bombs, torpedoes, sea mines and white phosphorus in the North Sea and Baltic Sea: Health hazards from the world wars.

One of the major logistical tasks facing the victorious powers at the end of the Second World War was to dispose of the large quantities of live ammunition left behind by the Wehrmacht. Sinking it in the North Sea and Baltic Sea seemed to be an ideal solution. It is estimated that up to 2 million tonnes of various types of ammunition, such as sea mines, grenades and bombs, were disposed of in this way in German coastal waters. This meant that the problem was no longer visible, but it was only a temporary solution. Since then, ammunition finds have repeatedly caused
property damage and injuries. The metal casings are now corroding, causing the toxins to leak out and increasingly pollute the ecosystem, endangering humans by entering the food chain. Researchers have been looking into how to deal with the ammunition remnants for some time and have submitted proposals to politicians. Politicians were slow to respond and are now working with scientists and practitioners to find solutions to this problem.

The lecture will take place at the Schleswig-Holstein Artists’ House, Ottestraße 1, 24340 Eckernförde.
Admission: Non-members €5. Members of all sections, school pupils, students and trainees free of charge.
Admission: from 6.30 p.m.