ABSTRACT
Discussion of so-called chemical terrorism often addresses the highly toxic chemical warfare agents such as sarin or phosgene; however, there is the possibility that a terrorist may choose instead to employ toxic industrial chemicals (TICs) in an attack. Such chemicals are in common use at thousands of facilities nationwide; additionally, many such sites are considered “soft” targets, that is, security is substantially less than would occur at a military base. TICs may therefore be removed from an industrial or commercial facility with less risk to the perpetrator. Chemical plants, pipelines, storage facilities, railroads, and trucks are all possible sources from which TICs could be removed or accidentally or intentionally released.
