Terrorism is defined is defined as an act of violence that systematically utilizes acts that cause terror and fear among people in order to force people to do some bidding. It is usually instigated by religious beliefs, political standing or even a particular school of thought such as a radical idea.This paper discusses a case study of a domestic terrorism incident that could occur to anyone and measures that could be taken to manage the disastrous effects of a terrorist attack. The paper highlights the process of a terror attack, the nature of the terror implements that was used, whether it was of a toxic nature or not. It also captures how a contamination would have been controlled in the case of a toxin being emitted during the terror attack. In addition it stresses on the effects of the toxin and the attack generally on the EMT’s and firefighters who are at the scene of the incident. Anhydrous ammonia as a terror compound.Anhydrous ammonia is a common compound that is heavily utilized in many domestic terrorist attacks. It is mainly used commercially hence the reference “anhydrous ammonia”. It is used in the manufacture of fertilizers and methamphetamine and numerous household disinfection and cleaning agents in thelaboratory it is used to perform qualitative analysis tests.Due to its availability in common household products it is highly prone to utilization by such radical and terrorist groups to commit acts of terror by using it to make bombs.
How the incident occurred
Ammonium hydroxide, which is majorly found in nitrogenous fertilizers, is quite easily accessible. It was found out that it had been easily accessed from common nitrogenous fertilizer and modified to form a simple homemade bomb. Such was utilized to make highly explosive device that caused deaths and destruction of property during the terrorist attack.
Toxic compound effect
Controlling the effects
Contamination Control
Exposure to the anhydrous ammonium hydroxide can be contained by having the rescuers putting on protective garments as well as decontamination of the toxic area as well as the affected people with water. Due to the high solubility of ammonia in water, it is commonly controlled by dilution of the compound in plenty of water.
Conclusion
It was generally noted that common household products could pose a great security threat. Consequently, enhancement of s air tight security measures are required to prevent such terrorist attacks from happening.These involve proper monitoring of the retailed chemical containing elements. Consequently the use of chemicals such as fertilizers can be monitored to ensure that terrorist activities are contained.
Reference
Bretherick, L (1986). “Hazards in the Chemical Laboratory. Royal Society of Chemistry
