|
|
Article: A nitrate to remember: explosives detection in airport security.(Column)
- Article from:
- Canadian Chemical News
- Article date:
- July 1, 2007
- Author:
CopyrightCOPYRIGHT 2007 Chemical Institute of Canada. This material is published under license from the publisher through the Gale Group, Farmington Hills, Michigan. All inquiries regarding rights should be directed to the Gale Group. (Hide copyright information)
|
I'm at the airport and I'm waiting in line with my luggage. It's early in the morning and I should be in Chicago by lunch. I've hardly slept, but my nerves are keeping me awake. I reach the security counter and hand over my backpack. The bag looks complicated with all of its straps and clips, but there are only two compartments--one with my clothing and one with various supplies, including three small vials, each containing a different nitroglycerine derivative. The lady at the counter asks me if I would like to put my backpack into a plastic bag, to protect the straps. I nod and feel a huge wave of relief. She then proceeds to take a swab and wipe it over my ...