Pentaerythritol tetranitrate (PETN) is one of the most powerful high explosives known. It has been identified to be the explosive used to the Northwest Flight 253 attack. The suspect, Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab apparently used a syringe to inject a chemical into the powder, which was located near his groin. The explosives were carried in a soft plastic container which may have been a condom, although fire destroyed much of the package.
The most obvious use of PETN is as an explosive. It is more sensitive to shock or friction than TNT or tetryl, and it is never used alone. It is primarily used in booster and bursting charges of small caliber ammunition, in upper charges of detonators in some land mines and shells, and as the explosive core of detonation cord. PETN is a colourless, crystalline material that is generally stored and shipped as a mixture with water. It is less sensitive than nitroglycerin but is easily detonated.
International Airports has been implementing an very tight security than ever . Travelers described the tightened security, especially for international flights bound for the United States.
Some of the latest safety measures include:
> Pat downs of passengers at airport security, concentrating on the upper torso and legs
> Physical inspections of all carry-on bags at the gate
> Requiring all passengers to be seated for the full hour prior to arrival
> Banning the use of blankets and pillows one hour prior to arrival.