Very Nasty’

[lucky wilbury]

http://abcnews.go.com/sections/WNT/Investigation/poison_bomb_plot_040405-1.html

Very Nasty’
Potential Bomb Plot Involved Deadly Chemical

By Brian Ross and Christopher Isham


April 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.

[Ally_Kat]

LONDON - British and U.S. intelligence agencies and police foiled a plot to create a chemical vapor bomb in Britain, the British Broadcasting Corp. said on Tuesday.

The alleged plot involved osmium tetroxide, a catalyst used in industry, but there was no indication that the suspected plotters had obtained any of the substance, the BBC said, citing security sources.

London's Metropolitan police said they "were not prepared to discuss" the report.

It wasn't clear whether the report was related to the arrest of nine British men last week and the seizure of a half-ton of ammonium nitrate fertilizer, which has been used in terrorist bombs in the past.

The BBC said the plot apparently was to mix the chemical into a bomb, which would create a toxic cloud upon detonation.

The U.S. television network ABC reported Monday that U.S. and British intelligence had discovered the plot. ABC suggested that osmium tetroxide would cause victims to choke to death.

However, Alistair Hay, professor of environmental toxicology at Leeds University, told the BBC that osmium tetroxide was "mildly irritant."

"It isn't like any traditional chemical warfare agent. It's not something which would create a major vapor hazard — it isn't like mustard gas or chlorine or some of the nerve agents," Hay told the BBC.

[Ally_Kat]

Now i'm confused. How harmful is this thing?

[Viking]

OSMIUM TETROXIDE:

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.

TYPES OF EXPOSURE - AVOID ALL CONTACT!


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).

http://www.inchem.org/documents/icsc/icsc/eics0528.htm

[knuckleboner]

Originally posted by Ally_Kat
Now i'm confused. How harmful is this thing?

likely, not that harmful, in terms of overall.

most chemical weapons are REALLY hard to make into "mass destruction," because they're very difficult to disperse properly.

one pure drop might have enough potency to kill thousands, but once you factor in all of the real life variables the likelihood of pulling off a mass causalty attack (see the japanese aum sum cult subway attack of a few years ago; several killed but out of large numbers exposed).

unless done ABSOLUTELY correct and with ideal conditions, most chem attacks are really "terror" attacks, because THAT'S where the real damage is done.