New Scientist is carrying this article describing new progress in the quest for a "greener" explosive. Today's explosives all use lead-based primers, which are toxic enough to cause people who regularly work around them to have measurably elevated levels of the substance in their bloodstream. By using a chemical called nitrotetrazole, scientists have created what could potentially be a non-toxic substitute which may even be safer to store than existing explosives.

While it's almost certainly not cheaper per pound, when you factor in all the hidden costs of safety and health, it'll probably end up being less expensive in the long run. See! Sometimes environmentalism and economics can co-exist!