16: Terrorism, Toxicity, and Vulnerability- Green Chemistry and Technology in Defense of Human Welfare
- Page ID
- 285397
\( \newcommand{\vecs}[1]{\overset { \scriptstyle \rightharpoonup} {\mathbf{#1}} } \)
\( \newcommand{\vecd}[1]{\overset{-\!-\!\rightharpoonup}{\vphantom{a}\smash {#1}}} \)
\( \newcommand{\dsum}{\displaystyle\sum\limits} \)
\( \newcommand{\dint}{\displaystyle\int\limits} \)
\( \newcommand{\dlim}{\displaystyle\lim\limits} \)
\( \newcommand{\id}{\mathrm{id}}\) \( \newcommand{\Span}{\mathrm{span}}\)
( \newcommand{\kernel}{\mathrm{null}\,}\) \( \newcommand{\range}{\mathrm{range}\,}\)
\( \newcommand{\RealPart}{\mathrm{Re}}\) \( \newcommand{\ImaginaryPart}{\mathrm{Im}}\)
\( \newcommand{\Argument}{\mathrm{Arg}}\) \( \newcommand{\norm}[1]{\| #1 \|}\)
\( \newcommand{\inner}[2]{\langle #1, #2 \rangle}\)
\( \newcommand{\Span}{\mathrm{span}}\)
\( \newcommand{\id}{\mathrm{id}}\)
\( \newcommand{\Span}{\mathrm{span}}\)
\( \newcommand{\kernel}{\mathrm{null}\,}\)
\( \newcommand{\range}{\mathrm{range}\,}\)
\( \newcommand{\RealPart}{\mathrm{Re}}\)
\( \newcommand{\ImaginaryPart}{\mathrm{Im}}\)
\( \newcommand{\Argument}{\mathrm{Arg}}\)
\( \newcommand{\norm}[1]{\| #1 \|}\)
\( \newcommand{\inner}[2]{\langle #1, #2 \rangle}\)
\( \newcommand{\Span}{\mathrm{span}}\) \( \newcommand{\AA}{\unicode[.8,0]{x212B}}\)
\( \newcommand{\vectorA}[1]{\vec{#1}} % arrow\)
\( \newcommand{\vectorAt}[1]{\vec{\text{#1}}} % arrow\)
\( \newcommand{\vectorB}[1]{\overset { \scriptstyle \rightharpoonup} {\mathbf{#1}} } \)
\( \newcommand{\vectorC}[1]{\textbf{#1}} \)
\( \newcommand{\vectorD}[1]{\overrightarrow{#1}} \)
\( \newcommand{\vectorDt}[1]{\overrightarrow{\text{#1}}} \)
\( \newcommand{\vectE}[1]{\overset{-\!-\!\rightharpoonup}{\vphantom{a}\smash{\mathbf {#1}}}} \)
\( \newcommand{\vecs}[1]{\overset { \scriptstyle \rightharpoonup} {\mathbf{#1}} } \)
\( \newcommand{\vecd}[1]{\overset{-\!-\!\rightharpoonup}{\vphantom{a}\smash {#1}}} \)
\(\newcommand{\avec}{\mathbf a}\) \(\newcommand{\bvec}{\mathbf b}\) \(\newcommand{\cvec}{\mathbf c}\) \(\newcommand{\dvec}{\mathbf d}\) \(\newcommand{\dtil}{\widetilde{\mathbf d}}\) \(\newcommand{\evec}{\mathbf e}\) \(\newcommand{\fvec}{\mathbf f}\) \(\newcommand{\nvec}{\mathbf n}\) \(\newcommand{\pvec}{\mathbf p}\) \(\newcommand{\qvec}{\mathbf q}\) \(\newcommand{\svec}{\mathbf s}\) \(\newcommand{\tvec}{\mathbf t}\) \(\newcommand{\uvec}{\mathbf u}\) \(\newcommand{\vvec}{\mathbf v}\) \(\newcommand{\wvec}{\mathbf w}\) \(\newcommand{\xvec}{\mathbf x}\) \(\newcommand{\yvec}{\mathbf y}\) \(\newcommand{\zvec}{\mathbf z}\) \(\newcommand{\rvec}{\mathbf r}\) \(\newcommand{\mvec}{\mathbf m}\) \(\newcommand{\zerovec}{\mathbf 0}\) \(\newcommand{\onevec}{\mathbf 1}\) \(\newcommand{\real}{\mathbb R}\) \(\newcommand{\twovec}[2]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\ctwovec}[2]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\threevec}[3]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\cthreevec}[3]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\fourvec}[4]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\cfourvec}[4]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\fivevec}[5]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \\ #5 \\ \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\cfivevec}[5]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \\ #5 \\ \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\mattwo}[4]{\left[\begin{array}{rr}#1 \amp #2 \\ #3 \amp #4 \\ \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\laspan}[1]{\text{Span}\{#1\}}\) \(\newcommand{\bcal}{\cal B}\) \(\newcommand{\ccal}{\cal C}\) \(\newcommand{\scal}{\cal S}\) \(\newcommand{\wcal}{\cal W}\) \(\newcommand{\ecal}{\cal E}\) \(\newcommand{\coords}[2]{\left\{#1\right\}_{#2}}\) \(\newcommand{\gray}[1]{\color{gray}{#1}}\) \(\newcommand{\lgray}[1]{\color{lightgray}{#1}}\) \(\newcommand{\rank}{\operatorname{rank}}\) \(\newcommand{\row}{\text{Row}}\) \(\newcommand{\col}{\text{Col}}\) \(\renewcommand{\row}{\text{Row}}\) \(\newcommand{\nul}{\text{Nul}}\) \(\newcommand{\var}{\text{Var}}\) \(\newcommand{\corr}{\text{corr}}\) \(\newcommand{\len}[1]{\left|#1\right|}\) \(\newcommand{\bbar}{\overline{\bvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\bhat}{\widehat{\bvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\bperp}{\bvec^\perp}\) \(\newcommand{\xhat}{\widehat{\xvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\vhat}{\widehat{\vvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\uhat}{\widehat{\uvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\what}{\widehat{\wvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\Sighat}{\widehat{\Sigma}}\) \(\newcommand{\lt}{<}\) \(\newcommand{\gt}{>}\) \(\newcommand{\amp}{&}\) \(\definecolor{fillinmathshade}{gray}{0.9}\)“If the area of the large circle below represents a fatal dose of the once-popular organophosphate insecticide parathion, now banned because of its toxicity, the area of the barely perceptible dot indicated by the arrow represents a fatal dose of organophosphate Sarin a nerve gas military prison of concern for its potential use in terrorist attacks.”
- 16.1: Vulnerability to Terrorist Attack
- This page discusses the ongoing threat of terrorism using chemicals and explosives, referencing historical incidents like 9/11 and the Oklahoma City bombing. It underscores the environmental impact of such attacks and emphasizes the risks, including nuclear threats.
- 16.2: Protecting the Anthrosphere
- This page discusses the anthrosphere's reliance on interconnected infrastructure for safety, highlighting its vulnerabilities to disruptions, as seen in the 2003 power outage. Small incidents can trigger cascading failures, and cybercrime poses significant threats to computer networks. Efforts in homeland security aim to reduce these risks, including the use of chemistry to improve material resilience in infrastructure.
- 16.3: Substances That Explode, Burn, or React Violently
- This page highlights the dangers of reactive and flammable substances in terrorist attacks, focusing on explosives as primary materials, with events like the Oklahoma City bombing and 9/11 illustrating their potential for destruction. It points out the risks associated with readily available materials like ammonium nitrate and petroleum, particularly during transportation.
- 16.4: Toxic Substances and Toxicology
- This page discusses growing public concerns about toxic substances in the context of potential terrorist attacks. It explains that toxicology examines these agents and their properties, while toxicological chemistry links them to their effects. Toxic substances can damage organ systems, and metabolic processes can either reduce or enhance toxicity. Additionally, toxicants disrupt biological functions by binding to receptors, leading to harmful physiological responses.
- 16.5: Toxic Chemical Attack
- This page discusses the threats posed by chemical and biological agents, highlighting their historical use in warfare and terrorism. Despite bans like the Geneva Protocol, such weapons have been deployed, as seen in the Iran-Iraq War. Biological agents, due to their ability to spread, are particularly dangerous, exemplified by the 2001 anthrax attacks that caused widespread fear and harm.
- 16.6: Protecting Water, Food, and Air
- This page discusses the lethal potential of toxic chemicals and biological agents, emphasizing the Bhopal disaster as a tragic example. It highlights the dangers of substances like methyl isocyanate, carbon monoxide, and nerve agents such as Sarin. Additionally, it points out the extreme lethality of botulinum toxin and ricin, with minuscule amounts capable of causing death. Despite ricin's high toxicity, its practical use as a weapon is limited due to the delivery method.
- 16.7: Detecting Hazards
- This page highlights the rising threat of biological warfare compared to chemical attacks, emphasizing pathogens' effectiveness in inflicting harm. It cites a 1993 report predicting casualties from anthrax and recalls the chaos from the 2001 incidents. Historical references, such as Japan's WWII biological warfare, illustrate the devastating effects of disease agents.
- 16.8: Green Chemistry to Combat Terrorism
- This page examines the vulnerabilities of essential human needs—water, food, and air—to terrorist threats. It references historical incidents like the mad cow disease outbreak, emphasizing the economic effects of contamination. Deliberate attacks on food and water are challenging but possible, with pathogens like Salmonella posing risks.
- 16.9: Green Chemistry for Sustainable Prosperity and a Safer World
- This page discusses the importance of detecting terrorist threats, particularly explosives and pathogens, and highlights the ineffectiveness of traditional methods like metal detectors. It emphasizes the potential of advanced techniques such as ion mobility spectrometers and nuclear quadrupole resonance (NQR) for detecting explosives. Additionally, it notes the common use of canine detection, while pointing out its limitations related to unpredictability and performance affecting reward systems.
- 16.10: Green Chemistry to Combat Terrorism
- This page highlights the importance of green chemistry in improving safety and sustainability within the chemical industry, particularly regarding terrorism prevention. It discusses the reduction of hazardous substances and energy use to minimize risks, the implementation of real-time monitoring, and the benefits of on-site production, such as DuPont's practices.
- 16.11: Green Chemistry for Sustainable Prosperity and and a Safer World
- This page discusses the connection between poverty, human misery, and terrorism, emphasizing that addressing these issues can enhance safety. It highlights the role of green chemistry and sustainable energy in meeting needs while protecting the environment. Abundant renewable energy is vital for prosperity and can help reduce terrorism's root causes. Diversifying energy sources and improving storage and transport methods can further alleviate conflicts.
- Literature Cited
- This page discusses various sources addressing global threats and vulnerabilities, covering topics such as market failures, cybersecurity risks to supply chains, historical views on biological and chemical weapons, a case of intentional food contamination, limitations of canine detection, and environmentally friendly solutions. Each entry provides distinct analyses on critical safety issues affecting public health and security.
- Questions and Problems
- This page discusses chemical reactions and toxicity, highlighting infrastructure vulnerabilities to chemical substances and terrorism. It explores ammonium nitrate and nitroglycerin's explosive reactions, the assessment of toxic substances, and how home infrastructure interconnectivity impacts safety.