Posted on 04/05/2004 4:29:34 PM PDT by aculeus
Aril 5 British authorities believe terror suspects arrested last week were planning to make a bomb that would include a highly toxic, easily obtained chemical called osmium tetroxide, ABCNEWS has learned.
Used primarily in laboratories for research, osmium tetroxide is known to attack soft human tissue and could blind or kill anyone who breathed its fumes. According to the New Jersey Department of Health, it is a colorless to pale yellow solid with a strong, unpleasant odor.
"It's a nasty piece of work," said Dave Siegrist, a bioterrorism expert at the Potomac Institute for Policy Studies in Arlington, Va. "It irritates the eyes, lungs, nose and throat. It leads to an asthma-like death, what we call a 'dry-land drowning.' "
Scientists say if, for example, the bomb used in the 1993 World Trade Center attack had produced such fumes, they would have wiped out the first police and rescue workers on the scene.
"They become overwhelmed by fumes," said Jerry Hauer, an expert on biological and chemical terrorism and director of public health preparedness at the Department of Health and Human Services, describing what could have happened. "They can go blind. This is not a benign chemical. It is very nasty."
Eight British citizens of Pakistani descent were arrested and taken into custody when 700 police raided 24 locations in and around London on March 30. Investigators say British authorities moved in when they learned from electronic intercepts the dangerous chemical was involved in the plot. They had been the tracking group's activities for several months.
According to sources, there was some indication the group in custody was targeting Gatwick airport, the British public transportation system and enclosed shopping areas. British authorities feared it had the potential to be one of the worst attacks ever against the United Kingdom.
Even though the arrests were made in the United Kingdom, authorities say the operation was being run out of Pakistan by a suspected al Qaeda figure.
"They are creative in their planning," said Hauer. "They continue to work around our systems."
New Terror Link
This is the first time osmium tetroxide has been linked to possible terror use. It's sold, with few questions asked, on Internet sites, as are many industrial chemicals that could be equally as potent.
"You never see the supplier and the supplier never sees you," said Siegrist. "A package arrives on the doorstep a few days later."
U.S. officials say the likelihood of a chemical bomb is much greater than a biological and radiological one. Yet the United States has still not settled how to tighten restrictions on what are known as toxic industrial chemicals, which are well-known to al Qaeda bomb-makers and still easily available.
ABCNEWS' David Scott and Madeleine Sauer contributed to this report.
But anymore, Austinites can barely trust Dallas folks, and so on.
Peace thru strength. That's all that works.
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Osmium tetroxide | CAS 20816-12-0 | ||
OsO4 | RTECS RN1140000 | ||
Synonyms & Trade Names Osmic acid anhydride, Osmium oxide |
DOT ID & Guide 2471 154 |
Exposure Limits |
NIOSH REL: TWA 0.002 mg/m3 (0.0002 ppm) ST 0.006 mg/m3 (0.0006 ppm) | ||
OSHA PEL: TWA 0.002 mg/m3 | |||
IDLH 1 mg/m3 See: 20816120 | Conversion 1 ppm = 10.40 mg/m3 |
Physical Description Colorless, crystalline solid or pale-yellow mass with an unpleasant, acrid, chlorine-like odor. [Note: A liquid above 105°F.] |
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MW: 254.2 |
BP: 266°F |
MLT: 105°F |
Sol(77°F): 6% |
VP: 7 mmHg |
IP: 12.60 eV |
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Sp.Gr: 5.10 |
Fl.P: NA |
UEL: NA |
LEL: NA |
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Noncombustible Solid | |||
Incompatibilities & Reactivities Hydrochloric acid, easily oxidized organic materials [Note: Begins to sublime below BP. Contact with other materials may cause fire.] |
Measurement Methods None available See: NMAM or OSHA Methods |
Personal Protection & Sanitation Skin: Prevent skin contact Eyes: Prevent eye contact Wash skin: When contaminated Remove: When wet or contaminated Change: Daily Provide: Eyewash |
First Aid (See procedures) Eye: Irrigate immediately Skin: Soap wash immediately Breathing: Respiratory support Swallow: Medical attention immediately |
Important additional information about respirator selection Respirator Recommendations NIOSH/OSHA Up to 0.1 mg/m3: (APF = 50) Any chemical cartridge respirator with a full facepiece and cartridge(s) providing protection against the compound of concern and having a high-efficiency particulate filter/(APF = 50) Any air-purifying, full-facepiece respirator (gas mask) with a chin-style, front- or back-mounted canister providing protection against the compound of concern and having a high-efficiency particulate filter/(APF = 50) Any self-contained breathing apparatus with a full facepiece/(APF = 50) Any supplied-air respirator with a full facepiece Up to 1 mg/m3: (APF = 2000) Any supplied-air respirator that has a full facepiece and is operated in a pressure-demand or other positive-pressure mode Emergency or planned entry into unknown concentrations or IDLH conditions: (APF = 10,000) Any self-contained breathing apparatus that has a full facepiece and is operated in a pressure-demand or other positive-pressure mode/(APF = 10,000) Any supplied-air respirator that has a full facepiece and is operated in a pressure-demand or other positive-pressure mode in combination with an auxiliary self-contained positive-pressure breathing apparatus Escape: (APF = 50) Any air-purifying, full-facepiece respirator (gas mask) with a chin-style, front- or back-mounted canister providing protection against the compound of concern and having a high-efficiency particulate filter/Any appropriate escape-type, self-contained breathing apparatus |
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Exposure Routes inhalation, ingestion, skin and/or eye contact | |
Symptoms Irritation eyes, respiratory system; lacrimation (discharge of tears), visual disturbance; conjunctivitis; headache; cough, dyspnea (breathing difficulty); dermatitis | |
Target Organs Eyes, skin, respiratory system |
See also: INTRODUCTION See ICSC CARD: 0528 |
[List of Chemicals] [Risk Notes] [Risk Phrases] [Safety Phrases] [Danger Symbols] |
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TYPES OF HAZARD / EXPOSURE |
ACUTE HAZARDS / SYMPTOMS | PREVENTION | FIRST AID / FIRE FIGHTING |
FIRE | Not combustible but enhances combustion of other substances. |
NO contact with flammable substances. |
In case of fire in the surroundings: all extinguishing agents allowed. |
EXPLOSION | Risk of fire and explosion when mixed with combustible substances. |
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EXPOSURE | AVOID ALL CONTACT! |
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Inhalation | Burning sensation. Cough. Headache. Wheezing. Shortness of breath. Visual disturbances. Symptoms may be delayed (see Notes). |
Local exhaust or breathing protection. |
Fresh air, rest. Half-upright position. Artificial respiration if indicated. Refer for medical attention. |
Skin | Redness. Skin burns. Pain. Skin discoloration. Blisters. |
Protective gloves. Protective clothing. |
First rinse with plenty of water, then remove contaminated clothes and rinse again. Refer for medical attention. |
Eyes | Redness. Pain. Blurred vision. Loss of vision. Severe deep burns. |
Safety goggles, or eye protection in combination with breathing protection if powder. |
First rinse with plenty of water for several minutes (remove contact lenses if easily possible), then take to a doctor. |
Ingestion | Abdominal cramps. Burning sensation. Shock or collapse. (See Inhalation). |
Do not eat, drink, or smoke during work. Wash hands before eating. |
Rinse mouth. Give nothing to drink. Rest. Refer for medical attention. |
SPILLAGE DISPOSAL | PACKAGING & LABELLING |
Evacuate danger area! Consult an expert! Ventilation. Sweep spilled substance into containers; if appropriate, moisten first to prevent dusting then remove to safe place. Do NOT absorb in saw-dust or other combustible absorbents. Do NOT let this chemical enter the environment (extra personal protection: complete protective clothing including self-contained breathing apparatus). |
T+ Symbol R: 26/27/28-34 S: 1/2-7/9-26-45 UN Hazard Class: 6.1 UN Pack Group: I Unbreakable packaging; put breakable packaging into closed unbreakable container. Do not transport with food and feedstuffs. Severe marine pollutant. |
EMERGENCY RESPONSE | STORAGE |
Transport Emergency Card: TEC (R)-61G64a |
Separated from combustible and reducing substances, food and feedstuffs. Ventilation along the floor. |
IMPORTANT DATA | |
PHYSICAL STATE; APPEARANCE: COLOURLESS TO PALE YELLOW SOLID IN VARIOUS FORMS , WITH PUNGENT ODOUR. CHEMICAL DANGERS: The substance decomposes on heating producing fumes of osmium. The substance is a strong oxidant and reacts with combustible and reducing materials. Reacts with hydrochloric acid to form toxic chlorine gas (see ICSC # 0126). Forms unstable compounds with alkalis. OCCUPATIONAL EXPOSURE LIMITS: TLV (as Os): 0.0002 ppm; 0.0016 mg/m 3 (as TWA); 0.0006 ppm; 0.0047 mg/m 3 (as STEL) (ACGIH 1997). MAK: 0.0002 ppm; 0.002 mg/m 3; (1997) |
ROUTES OF EXPOSURE: The substance can be absorbed into the body by inhalation of its vapour, by inhalation of its aerosol and by ingestion. INHALATION RISK: A harmful contamination of the air can be reached very quickly on evaporation of this substance at 20°C.. EFFECTS OF SHORT-TERM EXPOSURE: Tear drawing. The substance is corrosive to the eyes, the skin, and the respiratory tract. Inhalation of this substance may cause lung oedema (see Notes). Exposure to high concentrations may result in death. The effects may be delayed. Medical observation is indicated. EFFECTS OF LONG-TERM OR REPEATED EXPOSURE: Repeated or prolonged contact with skin may cause dermatitis. The substance may have effects on the kidneys. |
PHYSICAL PROPERTIES | |
Boiling point: (see Notes) 130°C Melting point: 42°C Relative density (water = 1): 4.9 Solubility in water, g/100 ml at 25°C: 6 Vapour pressure, kPa at 27°C: 1.5 Relative vapour density (air = 1): 8.8 |
ENVIRONMENTAL DATA | |
This substance may be hazardous to the environment; special attention should be given to crustacea. |
NOTES | |
Begins to sublime and distil well below boiling point. The symptoms of lung oedema often do not become manifest until a few hours have passed and they are aggravated by physical effort. Rest and medical observation is therefore essential. Immediate administration of an appropriate spray, by a doctor or a person authorized by him/her, should be considered. The odour warning when the exposure limit value is exceeded is insufficient. Do NOT take working clothes home. Rinse contaminated clothes (fire hazard) with plenty of water. |
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For further information please contact the International Occupational Safety and Health Information Centre
at Tel: +41.22.799.6740, Fax: +41.22.799.8516 or E-mail: cis@ilo.org
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PS: My Lexus LX470 gets 12 mpg easy. I'm not blaming us although I suspect that a lot of 9/11 "redacted" info in the various reports involves the Sauds.
It is used as a contrast medium in electron microscopy for that reason, binding strongly to protiens. The most common consequence of breathing it is that its foul smell is the last thing one ever smells because it destroys the olfactory apparatus, even in small concentrations.
Unfortunately, that is the only logical action long term. We are fighting an uphill demographic trend, against a religion based on revenge (and no sense of redemption). Things will only get progressively worse with time until the only solution is massive retaliation. We aren't there yet, but a couple more big bombs go off and everyone will figure it out.
At the very minimum, shouldn't we at least be sending them all home by now, and suspending immigration?
I wonder - how many innocents must die while we delude ourselves as to the source of these attacks?
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