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Chemical Agents of Opportunity for Terrorism: TICs & TIMs

Chemical Agents of Opportunity for Terrorism: TICs & TIMs

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<strong>Chemical</strong> <strong>Agents</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Opportunity</strong> <strong>for</strong> <strong>Terrorism</strong><br />

Training Support Package<br />

Participant Guide<br />

Slide 9<br />

<strong>Chemical</strong> <strong>Agents</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Opportunity</strong> <strong>for</strong> <strong>Terrorism</strong>:<br />

<strong>TICs</strong> & <strong>TIMs</strong><br />

Methyl Isocyanate :<br />

Physical Properties<br />

• Colorless, flammable liquid at room temperature, but<br />

easily vaporizes<br />

– Vapor pressure 348 mm Hg<br />

– Boiling point 39.5 °C<br />

• Has a pungent odor; inadequate warning<br />

• Water soluble, but with exothermic reaction<br />

• Vapor density: 1.4<br />

Module One – Toxic Industrial Gases as Terrorist Threats<br />

9<br />

This slides illustrates some <strong>of</strong> the chemical properties <strong>of</strong> methyl isocyanate. The high<br />

vapor pressure and low boiling point mean this is a highly volatile liquid. It has a pungent<br />

odor but detection <strong>of</strong> this odor does not adequately warn someone who is exposed to<br />

MIC to immediately leave the source <strong>of</strong> exposure. The vapor density means it is<br />

somewhat heavier than air (which has a vapor density <strong>of</strong> 1).<br />

Vapor densities are compared to that <strong>of</strong> air.<br />

MIC odor threshold is in the range <strong>of</strong> 2ppm – this does not provide an adequate warning<br />

<strong>of</strong> potentially harmful exposure (the Occupational Health and Safety Administration has<br />

set the Permissible Exposure Limit – <strong>for</strong> a 40 hour work week <strong>for</strong> a working lifetime:<br />

OSHA PEL 0.02ppm)<br />

December 2008 Version 2.0 Page 133

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