[Vigilant1]

Actually, botulism toxin is one of the most toxic substances known to man. If several pounds of pure toxin was dropped in the reservoir right near the water supply intakes, the concentration could be more than adequate. The thing I don't know is if botulism toxin (the toxin, not the bacteria) could survive the normal clorination done with city water supplies.

Here's a FReep thread on botulism as a bioweapon:

Botulism toxin seen as potential bio-weapon

[HiTech RedNeck]

One of the tools of the terrorists seems to be massive diversion. It didn't get a lot of newsplay on the media or even on FR, but at the time of the 9/11 hijackings, the FAA was swamped with a sudden burst of bomb threats. When we see a lot of planes dropping bags of sugar into reservoirs, that is the time to start looking at what is happening right on the ground.

[Untouchable]

Botulism Toxin, on its own, is not a very effective weapon. The toxin molecule needs the bacteria in order to replicate. Just dumping the toxin into the water supply would cause it to become highly diluted and not very deadly. You can make your own botulism with mayonnaise. Much cheaper and more more effective than Botox.

[nunya bidness]

Good choice but bot tox couldn't make the trip. Chlorine and bleach and sunlight.

[WyldKard]

Actually, botulism toxin is one of the most toxic substances known to man. If several pounds of pure toxin was dropped in the reservoir right near the water supply intakes, the concentration could be more than adequate. The thing I don't know is if botulism toxin (the toxin, not the bacteria) could survive the normal clorination done with city water supplies.

Well, how many ppm concentration are we talking to make it deadly? Over here in MA, we have a huge resevoir (half a trillion gallons or so.) Somehow, I think a small package of the stuff dumped into it wouldn't do jack...

[MaeWest]

The thing I don't know is if botulism toxin (the toxin, not the bacteria) could survive the normal clorination done with city water supplies.

Don't tell the Greenies. Haven't they been trying to do away with chlorine?