Chemical Agents of Opportunity for Terrorism: TICs & TIMs

Chemical Agents of Opportunity for Terrorism
Training Support Package
Participant Guide
Slide 45
Due to the large number of individuals who depend on them, modern large-scale
production and distributions systems for food, water, and medication provide a tempting
target to would-be terrorists.
The use of potent toxins or common industrial solvents can occur at multiple sites in the
manufacturing, processing or distribution/sales chain.
Past cases of tampering have resulted in closer government oversight and strict product
safety and distribution standards for the US.
Unusual case clusters or increased incidence of illness or disease out of keeping with
local norms can be an indication of point source exposure to a toxic agent. While this is
not the ideal method of detection (because of the delay to recognition), it is historically
the only method that has been used to identify contamination.
As we have shown in this module, there are a number of monitoring and safety steps
that are being used to drastically limit the likelihood of large-scale terrorist attacks using
the food, water or medication delivery system. Continued attention to safety and
security of raw materials and processes will have benefits in preventing accidental
contamination as well.
December 2008 Version 2.0 Page 301