AMMONIA
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Running head: AMMONIA
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Ammonia
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Institutional Affiliation
Author Note
Ammonia
Ammonia has been approved for use in fertilizer manufacturing, but there have been instances where the chemical has been misused. One such case includes the manufacture of home-made explosives. The explosives are created by mixing ammonium nitrate with two types of chemicals; fuel oil to generate a compound known as Ammonium Nitrate Fuel Oil, or nitromethane to create Ammonium Nitrate Nitromethane. The Oklahoma Federal Building bombing involved the use of Ammonium Nitrate Nitromethane and caused the death of 168 people while five hundred other individuals were injured (Jenkins, 2018). The explosion also led to massive destruction of the building and shattered glass windows of other buildings that surrounded it.
As a result of the explosion, the United States federal government has made several strides towards ensuring that the probability of such future attacks is reduced. The efforts mainly involve regulation of access to the chemicals used to produce the explosives. One of the rules seeks to regulate the purchase, sale and transfer of more than 25 pounds of ammonium nitrate by requiring registration of the individuals that deal with the chemical. The U.S. government requires individuals in possession of the chemical to obtain a registration number from the government and report within 24 hours in case of theft of the chemical (Johnson, 2011).
The law diminishes the probability of future similar attacks by ensuring that the chemical is provided in less proportions or proportions not adequate to independently create a bomb. Moreover, registration of the individuals possessing ammonium nitrate aids in tracing the holder or vendor of the chemical. Cases of theft have also been covered, as the holder of ammonium nitrate who loses possession of the chemical through theft is required to report the theft, therefore raising suspicion and helping to curb the possible use of the chemical in the bombing.
References
Jenkins, J. P. (2018). Oklahoma City Bombing. Britannica. Retrieved from https://www.britannica.com/event/Oklahoma-City-bombing
Johnson, R. (2011). The U.S. Finally Starts Regulating Sales Of Ammonium Nitrate. The Business Insider. Retrieved from https://www.businessinsider.com/oklahoma-city-bombing-ammonium-nitrate-sales-regulated-2011-8?IR=T