Chlorine bomb

Chlorine bomb
This article is about the pressure bomb. For the improvised explosive devices used in Iraq, refer to Chlorine bombings in Iraq.

A chlorine bomb is a small-scale explosive device using the pressure of chemically produced chlorine gas to produce an explosion. It is made with an airtight container part-filled with rubbing alcohol or similar solvent. When a chlorine tablet is added, it produces an expansive pressure increase, shattering the container. Popularized in The Anarchist Cookbook and The Terrorist Handbook, such a bomb is a more dangerous alternative to a dry ice bomb, but likewise generally made by teenagers for recreational use rather than with any intent to harm[1]. However exposure to chlorine and the reactive substances used can cause respiratory problems from inhalation and also cause injury to mucous membranes, similar to tear gas. Most injuries relating to these devices involve bruised hands, blinding and other eye injuries - generally to the bomb makers themselves.[citation needed].

Pastor's Terrorism and Public Safety Policing outlines how Cprogram is emphasizing lessons learned in Iraq regarding chlorine bomb use on American soldiers. This exposure has provided Western police departments like the NYPD with incentive to amend current policing models from Community Policing to a Public Safety Policing model that emphasizes risk aversion via public/private policing partnerships through metropolitan arenas. Moreover, the chlorine bomb and other weapons systems in its class achieve this because they are easy to manufacture and thus represent a more fluid weapons delivery model for domestic and international terrorists[2].

References

  1. ^ Snopes report on an attempted assault with a similar device
  2. ^ Pastor, James F. Terrorism and Public Safety Policing: Implications for the Obama Presidency. 2009. CRC Press ISBN 1439815801

See also

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