Reply #43: If these common items in small quantities can actually produce detonation

[lebkuchen]

we could use some Bryle Creme and vanilla, for example, in coal mines to blast coal loose.

There's something really strange about this entire deal. I've had chemistry through 3rd year college level, and although I've forgotten most of what I learned, I have doubts that common household items, or bodily fluids , in small quantities could cause an explosion that would bring down an aircraft.

Some mixtures would react with each other and could cause a pressure explosion, assuming that the mix was in a sealed container. It could also cause a violent heat producing situation. Some could even cause spontaneous fires. I don't think anything available in a neighborhood store could cause an explosive detonation. The examples given on the news suggest that a couple of small bottles of something could be attached to a detonator to cause a giant explosion. I don't think so. For a detonator to be of use, the materials involved have to be flammable or shock sensitive. Toothpaste and hair gel is not going to cut it.

In the 90's a similar plot was discovered in the Philippines (I think). I maintain that if that threat was credible then, a ban on liquids taken on planes would have been put into effect long before now.

I suspect that the guy from British intelligence who infiltrated that group heard them discussing info that's available on the internet and thought he had the big Kahuna.