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Environmental anomalies at the World Trade Center: evidence for energetic materials
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Environmental anomalies at the World Trade Center: evidence for energetic materials
Kevin R. Ryan1  , James R. Gourley2 and Steven E. Jones3
| (1) |
P.O. Box 53, Bloomington, IN 47402-0053, USA |
| (2) |
Dallas, TX 75231, USA |
| (3) |
S&J Scientific Co., Provo, 84604, UT, USA |
Received: 17 February 2008 Accepted: 14 July 2008 Published online: 4 August 2008
Abstract Investigators monitoring air quality at the World Trade Center, after the September 11th attacks, found extremely high levels
of volatile organic chemicals as well as unusual species that had never been seen before in structure fires. Data collected
by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency indicate striking spikes in levels of benzene, styrene, and several other products
of combustion. These spikes occurred on specific dates in October and November 2001, and February 2002. Additionally, data
collected by researchers at the University of California Davis showed similar spikes in the levels of sulfur and silicon compounds,
and certain metals, in aerosols. To better explain these data, as well as the unusual detection of 1,3-diphenylpropane, the
presence of energetic nanocomposites in the pile at Ground Zero is hypothesized.
Keywords World Trade Center - EPA - 1,3-diphenylpropane - Aluminothermics - Energetic nanocomposites - Volatile organic chemicals
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