HLSS522Wk3

The chemicals that have been discussed so far in this lesson have been manufactured and used for the purpose of killing or debilitating human populations, even though some of these chemicals do have industrial uses as well. Toxic industrial and commercial chemicals that are produced, transported, and stored in the making of petroleum, textiles, plastics, fertilizers, paper, foods, pesticides, household cleaners, and other products can potentially be utilized for this purpose.

 

OBTAINING TIMS SPREADING FEAR

3,800 people were killed and over 11,000 were injured when methyl isocyanate was released from a chemical plant in Bhopal, India, in December of 1984. In contrast, only about 2,500 people were killed in the 9/11 attacks on the United States. The availability and toxicity of toxic industrial materials (TIMs) such as methyl isocyanate makes these chemicals easier for terrorists to use than traditional chemical warfare agents in terms of their potential for mass death and destruction. Oddly enough, when the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) issued its Hazard Index List in 1998, which listed TIMs in order of their potential destructive power, methyl isocyanate was only listed as a medium hazard, indicating the severe toxicity of the most dangerous TIMs.

The Hazard Index considers the production, transport, storage, toxicity, and vapor pressure of TIMs in its rankings of them. Chemicals considered to be “high hazards” are widely produced, transported, and stored, have a high level of toxicity, and vaporize easily. A chemical that is widely produced and has a high toxicity, but does not readily vaporize might be given a medium ranking. The list tanks chemicals that are not considered a threat under normal circumstances and are not likely to be used as terrorist weapons as low hazards.

 

 

Toxic Industrial Materials (TIMs)

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