Which of the following are classified as explosive agents?

• A. Water pick up
• B. ANFO, Prill
• C. Water and air
• D. Coal and wood dust

Answer: (B)

Explosive agents are materials that can release energy rapidly to create a blast. ANFO, which is ammonium nitrate mixed with fuel oil, is a classic explosive agent because the ammonium nitrate provides the oxygen and the fuel oil supplies the energy; when initiated, this combination detonates and produces a high-pressure gas wave. Ammonium nitrate prill also serves as the oxidizer component in blasting agents, and when paired with a suitable fuel, behaves as an explosive.

Water pickup is just a moisture-related property and does not itself release energy explosively. Water and air aren’t explosive agents. Coal dust or wood dust can cause hazardous dust explosions under the right conditions, but they are considered dust-explosion risks rather than standard explosive charging materials like ANFO or Prill.