Looted Al QaQaa 'explosives' are in fact urinary antiseptic

Exclusive (So far) to FR ^ | 11/4/2004 | Gerard S Harbison, AKA Right Wing Professor

[Right Wing Professor]

The Los Angeles Times this morning ran an article on the alleged looting of the Al QaQaa explosives. Pivotal to the article, whcih relied on unidentified GI alleged witnesses to the looting, was this:

One soldier said U.S. forces watched the looters' trucks loaded with bags marked "hexamine" — a key ingredient for HMX — being driven away from the facility. Unsure what hexamine was, the troops later did an Internet search and learned of its explosive power.

"We found out this was stuff you don't smoke around," the soldier said.

The trouble is, it's completely bogus. Hexamine isn't an explosive, and has no 'explosive power'. It's a urinary antiseptic. It is used in the synthesis of RDX and HMX - but without a chemical plant and a number of other chemical ingredients, some dangerous and hard to obtain, you can't make RDX or HMX from it. All the explosive properties of RDX and HMX come from the fuming nitric acid which is another ingredient in the manufacture. I doubt you could even get hexamine to burn decently, let alone explode. I wouldn't be at all surprised that Saddam was manufacturing RDX and HMX, and that's why he had sacks of hexamine, but no terrorist is going to be able to do anything with hexamine (except, maybe, treat his gonorrhea).

I'm befuddled how the LA Times could have used a second-hand google search as a source for the most element on the story. I contacted them, and their 'reader representative' gave me an implausible story of how they'd checked their chemical information with the Encyclopedia Britannica, but promised to tell their editors. I'm not holding my breath waiting for a correction.

In case I need to establish my credentials on this, just google 'hexamethylenetetramine harbison' and look at the first hit. Hexamethylenetetramine is the correct chemical name of hexamine. I've done quite a bit of published research with the stuff.

[KC Burke]

The LAT is going to be pissed

[BobS]

I made 70% nitric acid produce brown smoke by eye-dropping glycerine in it.

But in this case, maybe urinalysis would catch the thieves?:)

[Prime Choice]

Flu-raspy LOL!

*patting you on the back and handing over a mug of chicken soup*

Get well soon!

[Teslas Pigeon]

Great post. As usual the MSM jumps to conclusions when it helps support their Anti-Bush position:

"Unsure what hexamine was, the troops later did an Internet search and learned of its explosive power.

"We found out this was stuff you don't smoke around," the soldier said."

There are reasons not to smoke around things besides them being explosive. They might produce noxious gas when they burn, they might get very hot without exploding, etc. Nothing in the quote from the GI says they "learned of its explosive power"

[Riley]

That's why I despise the MSM. Bunch of partisan hacks peddling their opinions as news. I have had occasion to tell a TV reporter looking for an interview from me to go pound sand.

It was most satisfying.

[Pharmboy]

[Right Wing Professor]

Great news. But, please tell me why the DoD spokesman didn't know this in his long interview last Friday? Seems like the military would know what is and is not an explosive.

I don't think the 'eyewitness' story broke until today. I didn't see it until a liberal friend sent me the link with a 'see, I told you so' cover. I disabused him a few minutes later.

FReepers in general are way better informed than your average reporter. They hadn't a clue about this at the LA Times, but it's clear at least 5 people on this thread know what hexamine is.

[Riley]

Thanks! I am working in spite of it. Stupid flu.

[moehoward]

bumperoo

[Right Wing Professor]

Nothing in the quote from the GI says they "learned of its explosive power"

if there ever was a GI.

Still, I like the mental image of a bunch of bearded Al-Qaida would-be terrorists scratching their heads wondering why the urinary antiseptic won't explode.

[Former Dodger]

Hexamine: MAJOR APPLICATION AREAS

Rubber industry: Vulcanising agent and rubber blowing agent

Explosives industry: Slurry, explosives / RDX (hexogen), HMX (octogen), HMTA (hexamethyline triperoxide Amine) Fuel industry: HMT fuel tablets / smokeless pellets, friction dust manufacturing

Synthetic resin industry: PM / MF / UF liquid resin stabiliserPM / MF / UF moulding powder Carbohydrate resins Vulcanization of vinyl resins and copolymers Hardening of NOVOLAK resins (PF) Aniline shellac resins

Pharmaceuticals industry: Disinfectant (formin, urotropin, crystazol, helmito)

Photographic industry: Stabiliser for developers

Organic synthesis industry: Additives in deodorising powder, absorption of phosgene gas, preservation of fresh products

Metal industry: Inhibitor against acids and hydrogen sulphide

Leather industry: Conservation of furs and skins

Paper / cellulose industry: Surface treatment during manufacture of water repellent papers and cardboards

Lubricant industry: Stabiliser for greases and oils

Fertiliser ndustry: Anticaking agent for prilled urea

PACKING: Polypropylene woven bags with loose inner polyethylene liner: 25 kgs. nett.

STORAGE: Hexamine is sensitive to moisture. It is therefore advised that storage should be in an atmosphere at relative humidities below 60%

HANDLING: Use of approved respiratory systems, goggles, gloves & suitable clothing is recommended

© Saudi Formaldehyde Chemical Company Ltd. 1999de http://www.saudiform.com/hexamine.html

All found with a simple GOOGLE search in about 1 minute.

[Kirkwood]

It is listed in the Emergency Response Guidebook for first responders as a flammable solid. Guide No 133; ID No 1328.

[Right Wing Professor]

Yeah. Really hard-to-get stuff. I can see why the IAEA was so worried.

[Right Wing Professor]

It is, apparently, flammable.I was speculating about that; my bad. But it sure ain't explosive.

[PeteB570]

So does C4, a plastic explosive. A small chunk will heat up a canteen cup of coffee real quick.

[garjog]

Maybe the terrorists will wrap some of that looted hexamethylenetetramine around conventional explosives to create a dirty bomb that will make a city smell minty fresh.

[RandyRep]

One more example of how FR has a "critical mass" of knowledgable people who can verify or debunk claims in the media or in the conspiracy set.

Frankly, I would prefer not to give this to the mainstream media - only to the new media. Let the MSM stew in another cauldron of mistakes for awhile, and have the new media call them on it.

I can just see that smarty LATimes reporter googling away - then telling his editor "lookit this: Hexamine must mean HMX - which explodes. Boy, we're really gonna get Bush this time."

[Right Wing Professor]

I sent it to Rush and Hannity, but I doubt their public email addresses are checked very often.

[Riley]

Quite correct, just don't stomp the fire out when you're done with it. :-)

It also has some unadvertised hallucinogenic properties if taken internally. Got that from a Nam Ranger, who saw a papasan wolf some down. He was barking at the moon and talking to his dead ancestors when they whistled up a medevac for him.

[RandyRep]

I pushed the preview button and the post button before I thought to commend you for your knowledge and willingness to give out your name and show your creds. Excellent work!

I imagine Rush and Sean will see this - there are probably 100 freepers who are also sending the link to them. And tomorrow will be enough time to see how many other papers pick up the hot LATimes story. Heh heh. Sorry, I've been trying not to gloat all week, but this one is gloat material.