Dirty-bomb threat

last updated 8 January 2015

London

Eight British Muslims detained last week on suspicion of terrorism were planning to set off a dirty bomb, ABC News reported this week. The men apparently intended to acquire the toxic chemical osmium tetroxide, which is used in labs as a staining agent and can be easily bought over the Internet. If inhaled, osmium textroxide makes the lungs seize up, causing painful death by “dryland drowning.” It could kill hundreds if released in an enclosed space, such as an airport terminal or a subway. British authorities said the plot was coordinated from Pakistan by a suspected al Qaida agent. Police who had been tracking the suspected terrorist cell launched a raid last week when electronic intercepts picked up discussion of the chemical.