"...The bag, however, contained wires, junction boxes and heavy metal components fashioned 'in a way that would lead one to not rule out that it was an explosive device..."
I'm still puzzled by the reported heavy metal components in the bag.
The term heavy metal refers to any metallic chemical element that has a relatively high density and is toxic or poisonous at low concentrations. Examples of heavy metals include mercury (Hg), cadmium (Cd), arsenic (As), chromium (Cr), thallium (Tl), and lead (Pb).
Heavy metals are natural components of the Earth's crust. They cannot be degraded or destroyed. To a small extent they enter our bodies via food, drinking water and air.
As trace elements, some heavy metals (e.g. copper, selenium, zinc) are essential to maintain the metabolism of the human body.
Heavy metals
Then there's this:
Chemistry International
Vol. 23, No. 6
November 2001
"Heavy Metals"- A Meaningless Term
by John H. Duffus
later published as a Technical Report in PAC 74(5), 793-807 (2002) John H. Duffus
Over the past two decades, the term "heavy metals" has been used increasingly in various publications and in legislation related to chemical hazards and the safe use of chemicals. It is often used as a group name for metals and semimetals (metalloids) that have been associated with contamination and potential toxicity or ecotoxicity.
At the same time, legal regulations often specify a list of heavy metals to which they apply. Such lists may differ from one set of regulations to the other, or the term may be used without specifying which heavy metals are covered. In other words, the term "heavy metals" has been used inconsistently. This practice has led to general confusion regarding the significance of the term.
The inconsistent use of the term "heavy metals" reflects inconsistency in the scientific literature. It is, therefore, necessary to review the usage that has developed for the term, paying particular attention to its relationship to fundamental chemistry.
Without care for the scientific fundamentals, confused thought is likely to prevent advances in scientific knowledge and to lead to bad legislation and to generally bad decision-making..."
Chemistry International Vol. 23, No. 6
November 2001
"Heavy Metals"- A Meaningless Term
Table 1 Definitions of heavy metal: Survey of current usage (April 2001).
In chemistry:
- the rectangular block of elements in the Periodic Table flanked by titanium, hafnium, arsenic, and bismuth at its corners but including also selenium and tellurium. The specific gravities range from 4.5 to 22.5 [17].
- any metal with with an atomic number beyond that of calcium [35]
- any element with an atomic number greater than 20 [36]
- metal with an atomic number between 21 (scandium) and 92 (uranium) [16]
- term now often used to mean any metal with atomic number >20, but there is no general concurrence [20] ladle [38].
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Definitions without a clear basis other than toxicity
- element commonly used in industry and generically toxic to animals and to aerobic and anaerobic processes, but not every one is dense or entirely metallic; includes As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Pb, Hg, Ni, Se, and Zn [42]
- outdated generic term referring to lead, cadmium, mercury, and some other elements that generally are relatively toxic in nature; recently, the term "toxic elements" has been used. The term also sometimes refers to compounds containing these elements [18].
Definitions preceding 1936
- guns or shot of large size [1]
- great ability [2]
1997-2001 International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry.
Heavy Metals"- A Meaningless Term
Heavy metal to a retarded drive by media reporter is a steel box.