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There are many ways in which TIMs can be used by terrorists to cause mass casualties. After the 9/11 attacks, there were many worries that the United States’ chemical plants would be the target of the next terrorist attack. If a terrorist had flown a plane into a chemical plant instead of the World Trade Center, the devastation may have been much greater to both civilians and the environment. With most U.S. chemical plants located near urban areas, as many as one million citizens could be killed, injured, or evacuated as the result of an attack. A bomb could damage storage tanks or transport vehicles carrying chemicals, releasing deadly toxins. Terrorists could enter an industrial plant and release TIMs from within.

AIR TRANSFER

There also remains the possibility that a terrorist could release toxic chemicals into the air-handling systems of buildings. Many TIMs vaporize faster and more easily than CWAs do, so a terrorist could simply release the vapors at the air intake of the ventilation system, infiltrating the whole building within minutes; most air filters are unable to remove TIMs.

Approximately 850,000 U.S. businesses use, produce, or store TIMs. The United States has strict guidelines regarding their sale, but these guidelines are not as restrictive in developing nations. TIMs are much easier for terrorists to handle and deliver than CBW agents, and, because these chemicals are produced in large volumes and are widely available, they will potentially continue to be the terrorist’s weapon of choice in chemical warfare.

 

Dispersal

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