United States Chemical Facilities

The security vulnerabilities associated with our nation's chemical facilities afford terrorists aimed at executing a WMD or WMD-like attack against us an opportunistic target. The deadly nature of the hazardous materials manufactured and stored at many of these facilities could easily kill thousands to hundreds of thousands of people in an unsuspecting population and generate a level of fear which the US has not previously experienced. This paper will first examine the shift in the terrorist mindset and determine why they feel the use of WMD against American civilians is desirable. Second, this paper will analyze the efforts that have been made to limit the proliferation of traditional WMD and how these efforts have forced terrorists to look for other options to inflict similar casualties using other readily available means. Next, this paper will examine the vulnerabilities associated with our nation's chemical infrastructure and what legislative and commercial regulatory measures are in place. Last, this paper will make some specific recommendations as to a course of action that could assist in reducing the overall vulnerabilities associated with the chemical industry.