What exactly is a "dirty chemical bomb"?

[BeBMan]

I read media reports about quite big anti-terror ops in the UK and Canada (people imprisoned, explosives found etc.) where they tell something about a "dirty chemical bomb". Now I know about those "dirty" nuclear bombs, is the chemical thing something with chemical/toxic waste or so?

Here's a BBC link, just skimmed through it, apparently they just call it "chemical device" (maybe that "dirty chemical bomb" is just a stupi translation by the German media?) http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/5042724.stm

[Dauphin]

Never heard of 'dirty' in reference to chemical bombs. They act in the same fashion though - the material contamination rather than the explosion being the mechanism for death and discomfort - which may account for the term's use.

[Winston]

The only thing that's chemical about this bomb is that it's based on fertilizers.

I assume that's why it's being refered to as a dirty bomb, as opposed to conventional bombs. It's used to indicate that it's the "poor guy's explosive" we're dealing with. Not a very accurate term, but we have to remember those are journalists..

I've also sometimes heard the term dirty bomb used in connection with the 1995 OKC bombing, in which fertilizers were also used for the truck bomb.

[Ecthy]

Can there be a real chemical bomb as opposed to a dirty one, similar to nukes?

[Ecthy]

Like with a critical mass of chemistry that results in a chemical explosion?

[Dauphin]

You mean like dynamite?

[Colonâ„¢]

It's a bomb that hasn't had a bad for a while yet.

(hey, somebody had to say it!)

[Dauphin]

Originally posted by Winston
The only thing that's chemical about this bomb is that it's based on fertilizers.

You sure? Most reports I've read in the papers state that it was a toxic or poisonous chemical dispersion bomb.

[Dauphin]

Originally posted by Colonâ„¢
It's a bomb that hasn't had a bad for a while yet.

(hey, somebody had to say it!)

Well, it would certainly shower its victims.

(hey, somebody had to say it!)

[Winston]

I should have been clearer. I was only talking about the explosive agent itself.

[Ecthy]

Yes Dauphin, that's what you call a bomb? If this one's dirty and thus inferior, does it mean it doesn't even explode?

Winston is smarter than Dauphin, for he distinguishes between explosive agent and deadly extra charge.

Who explains to me the concept of a "beyond-dirty" chemical bomb?

[Winston]

Originally posted by Ecthy
Winston is smarter than Dauphin

You Sir, are a loony.

[Dauphin]

Ecthy doesn't appreciate dead pan humour.

[BlackCat]

Doesn't make any sense - neither biological nor chemical bombs can be "dirty" - that only applies to nuclear weapons.

[Ecthy]