Chemical Agents of Opportunity for Terrorism: TICs & TIMs

Chemical Agents of Opportunity for Terrorism
Training Support Package
Participant Guide
Slide 11
Chemical Agents of Opportunity for Terrorism:
TICs & TIMs
Sources of TICs and TIMs (2)
Module One – Toxic Warfare: Looking Beyond Conventional Chemical Weapons
11
Other sources of TICs and TIMs include medical facilities which utilize a large number of
cancer chemotherapeutic agents which are highly toxic by design and also store and
utilize a variety of radio nuclides diagnostically and therapeutically.
A major concern about radiological terrorism involves the use of stolen hospital-based
radio nuclides, given their extensive availability. Although the quantity may be small, the
psychological impact of their use in a “dirty bomb” scenario is profound.
Many of these chemical threats involve chemicals that are routinely transported
throughout our country by rail and other bulk transporter systems. If the chemicals of
concern were limited to fixed facilities, the challenges would be significant enough.
Propane tank leaks lead to asphyxiation, and explosions can cause massive destruction.
But understanding that highly toxic chemicals are moving all across our county through
our towns and villages brings the specter of chemical toxic disasters - whether deliberate
or accidental - into everyone’s backyard.
December 2008 Version 2.0 Page 16