The direct detection of nitroglycerine, ethylene glycol dinitrate, and dinitrotoluene by optoacoustic spectroscopy techniques at 6 microm, 9 microm, and 11 microm is reported. The effect of interference by normal atmospheric pollutants is investigated, and it is found that of those wavelengths used in this investigation the 9-microm and 11-/microm spectral regions, using a CO(2) laser as radiation source, are the most promising for use in explosive detection.