Subscribe now

Technology

What airports must do to sniff out liquid explosives

By Celeste Biever

16 August 2006

“Oh my God! People can carry cans of what appears to be soda and blow up a plane.” It was a typical reaction of people on both sides of the Atlantic after the announcement on 10 August that terrorists had allegedly been plotting to blow up several flights from the UK to the US, using the liquid explosive triacetone triperoxide (TATP). No longer, it seemed, do bombers need to tape explosives to their shoes or hide bombs in their rucksacks. The explosive could simply be disguised in a bottle of fizzy drink or face lotion.

The extra security measures…

Sign up to our weekly newsletter

Receive a weekly dose of discovery in your inbox. We'll also keep you up to date with New Scientist events and special offers.

Sign up

To continue reading, subscribe today with our introductory offers

Popular articles

Trending New Scientist articles

Piano Exit Overlay Banner Mobile Piano Exit Overlay Banner Desktop