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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 4<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 />

Thallium salts<br />

• Qualities <strong>for</strong> unintentional and malicious use<br />

– Tasteless and odorless<br />

– Salts are water -soluble<br />

– Rapidly absorbed (oral, inhalation, dermal)<br />

– Not detected on routine toxicological screening<br />

– Highly toxic and easily concealable<br />

– Lethal dose ~10 -20 mg/kg (about 1 gram in an adult)<br />

– Inexpensive (~$1 -2 per gram)<br />

Module One - <strong>Terrorism</strong> by Fear and Uncertainty: Delayed Toxic Syndromes<br />

4<br />

Thallium has many qualities that allow it to be used as a terrorist weapon, as well as a<br />

long history <strong>of</strong> use as a homicidal toxin.<br />

In addition to being easy to conceal because <strong>of</strong> its water solubility and lack <strong>of</strong> taste and<br />

odor, it is rapidly absorbed by all routes <strong>of</strong> exposure and is not detected on any<br />

routinely-per<strong>for</strong>med screening test; a specific thallium determination must be ordered<br />

and run on specialized instruments. It is toxic in very low quantities and very<br />

inexpensive.<br />

December 2008 Version 2.0 Page 312

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