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Agrochemicals and Security: Homeland Security and Fertilizers Fert-01
Homeland Securityand FertilizersAgrochemicals and Security
Homeland Securityand Fertilizers
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Learning Objectives
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As a result of this session, participants will:
Be aware that agricultural fertilizers canbeused to make explosive mixtures.
Understand behaviors that may indicate
suspicious activity.Understand that specific securitymeasures
can prevent unlawful access to fertilizers.
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What is a fertilizer?
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A fertilizer is defined as a material that primarilyadds nutrients to the soil.
There are two main types of fertilizers: Organicand Synthetic. Organic fertilizers contain onlyorganic materials while synthetic fertilizerscontain chemicals, which are more efficientlyused by plants.
Most large-scale crop producers use syntheticfertilizers to increase their economic gain by moreefficiently supplying their crops with the nutrientsthey need.
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What are fertilizers made of?
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There are three main chemicals used inthe production of synthetic fertilizers:
Ammonium Nitrate
Potassium Nitrate
Urea
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Ammonium Nitrate NH4NO3
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Colorless, crystalline salt ofammonia and nitric acid
Strong oxidant that reactswithcombustible and reducingmaterial
Contains 34% nitrogen, all ofwhich is usable by plants
The most commonnitrogenous
component of fertilizersAgrochemicals and Security: Homeland Security and Fertilizers
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Potassium Nitrate KNO3
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Colorless, crystalline salt
Strong oxidizer thatpromotes
explosive reaction withorganic materials
Decomposes when heated,releasing nitrogen
Main uses are gunpowder,explosives, fireworks,matches, and fertilizers
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Urea CO(NH2)2
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Colorless, crystallinecompound
Strong oxidizer promotes
explosive reaction withorganic materials
Decomposes to producecarbon dioxide and ammonia
Many uses, includingfertilizers, plastics, drugsand cosmetics
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Synthetic fertilizers canbe the basis ofpowerful explosives.
Compared to electronicbombs, fertilizerbombs are:
Cheaper to produce Materials are more
accessible Easier to produce Simpler and more
reliable
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Why do terrorists want fertilizers?
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1993 Feb 26 World Trade Center, New York, New York1993 Apr 24 NatWest Bank, London, England1995 Apr 19 Murrah Federal Office Building, Oklahoma City1996 Apr 12 Canary Wharf, London, England
1996 Jun 25 Khobar Towers, Dhahran, Saudi Arabia1998 Aug 7 US Embassy, Nairobi, Kenya1998 Aug 7 US Embassy, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania2000 Oct 12 Caf District, Bali, Indonesia2001 Dec Singapore. 4000 lbs NH4NO3 seized.2003 Nov Istanbul Turkey. Four bombings.2004 Mar 15 US consulate, Karachi, Pakistan. Bomb defused.2004 Apr 2 Thailand. 3300 lbs NH4NO3 stolen by insurgents.2004 May 5 Honfleur, France. 1100 lbs NH4NO3 stolen.2004 Jul 16 London, England. 1000 lbs of NH4NO3 seized.
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Terrorists seek and use
fertilizer bombs world-wide
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Improving Security
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Storage TransportationPersonnelDisposalResponse
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Security: Storage
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How easy would it be for
fertilizer to disappearfrom your facility?
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Security: Storage
Maintain inventories so that you always knowthe exact quantities of fertilizer you have.
Use logbooks to keep track of who removesfertilizers from your facility.
Store fertilizers in a building which can belocked or in a fenced enclosure with a locked
gate. If appropriate, provide a second security
perimeter, such as a fence with a locked gatesurrounding your storage facility.
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Security: Storage
Perform a walk-through and walk-around dailyto check for attempted entry, vandalism, andstructural integrity.
Provide good lighting on all sides of yourstorage facility.
For some facilities, install security systems,such as alarms and camera systems, and
make sure they are properly maintained.
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Security: Transportation
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Is transportation the weak
link in your security?
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Security: Transportation
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Create a paper-trail for any fertilizer you ship.
Ship fertilizer in a locked vehicle.
Go directly to delivery point when possible,
taking the best route available to avoid highpopulation areas, tunnels, and bridges.
Exercise extreme caution if it becomes essentialto stop. Avoid unguarded and unlighted areaswhere theft is a substantial risk and be on yourway as soon as possible.
Be alert to vehicles following your truck,strangers asking questions, or anyone snoopingaround your cargo.
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Security: Transportation
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Do not pick up hitchhikers, do not talk about yourcargo on CB radio, and do not discuss your cargowith those not involved.
Always telephone your customer if you find youwill be late for a delivery.
Check your load at delivery to ensure no productis missing. Do not leave product at field siteunless it is well attended or secured withinbuildings. Always obtain a signed delivery ticket.
Carefully check background of all new drivers.Every driver should be properly licensed andtrained in good practices for handling fertilizerand pesticide chemicals that may be hazardous inthe hands of dangerous people.
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Security: Personnel
Do you know your employees?
Do you know who has access?
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Security: Personnel
Develop effective hiring and labor relationspolicies.
Consider background checks for current/new
employees, particularly if the person handleshazardous materials. Consider fingerprinting and photographing
employees who handle hazardous materials. Be aware of personal identity theft, such as
stolen Social Security Numbers, references, etc. Request employees to watch for suspiciousactivities and ask persons they dont recognizeto identify themselves and state their reason forbeing on the premises.
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Security: Personnel
Adopt a company security whistleblowerprotection policy.
Know who has keys and access to hazardousmaterial storage areas.
Retrieve keys and employment identificationcards from an employee and change computeraccess passwords when their employment
ends.
Assess a workers violence potential and take
appropriate security precautions whenterminating or disciplining an employee.
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Security: Disposal
Do you have aplan for safe
and securedisposal?
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Hazmat workerinspects aging
chemical drums
abandoned in a field.
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Security: Disposal
Maintain security over material which is beingdisposed of until it is claimed by appropriateauthorities.
Arrange for prompt and safe disposal ofmaterials.
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Security: Response
Do you have a formal response
plan?
Do your employees know it?
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Identifying Suspicious Behavior
Watch for unusual or suspicious behavior by apurchaser who:
Seems unfamiliar with details of usingfertilizers
Acts nervous, seems uneasy or vague, andavoid eye contact
Demands immediate possession ofpurchased material instead of future delivery
Asks for material in smaller individualcontainers rather than in bulk
Insists on paying in cash instead of using acheck or credit card
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If someone is acting suspicious
Notify yourmanager.
Notify local lawenforcement.
In Florida, callFDACS
Agricultural LawEnforcement at
1-800-342-5869.
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Summary
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There are three major solid forms ofnitrogen fertilizer: ammonium nitrate,
potassium nitrate and urea.
These products can be used to createsimple and powerful explosives.
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Summary
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Examine storage and handlingprocedures and develop a security
plan. Storage
Transportation
Personnel Disposal
Response
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Summary
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Watch for unusual or suspiciousbehavior
by purchasers.
Contact your manager or local lawenforcement to report suspicious
persons.
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Agrochemicals and Security: Homeland Security and Fertilizers
Questions and Discussion
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Agrochemicals and Security:
Homeland Security and Fertilizers
Charles M. BrownCarol J. Lehtola, PhD
John Robbins
The Agrochemicals and Security Training Module was produced in part withsupport from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the
Extension Disaster Education Network (EDEN).