Hyderabad: A workshop on ‘Vulnerability Assessment for Weaponisable Dual Purpose Chemicals' concluded on Friday stressing on the need to develop security measures to ensure that hazardous chemicals with potential of use in chemical weapons do not fall into the hands of rogue nations, terrorist organisations or undesired individuals.
The two-day workshop was organised by the Indian Institute of Chemical Technology (IICT), Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL), Washington, and US Department of State’s Chemical Security Programme.
A key point raised was lack of a mechanism in place to keep track on hazardous weaponisable chemicals after they are produced.
Around 100 chemicals are recognised by the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW). Their compounds run into thousands. Commonly produced chemicals like phosphorous trichloride or phosgene manufactured by fertlizer companies can be weaponisable.
A mechanism to keep tab on these chemicals is missing in many countries including the USA. Dr K.V. Raghavan, former director of IICT and member of the Workshop Advisory Committee said that IICT will send recommendations to the Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers on security of these chemicals.
Dr Clifford Glantz of the PNNL said they are interested in utilising the models developed in IICT.
