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TNT: trinitrotoluene. A
yellow crystalline compound that is a flammable toxic
derivative of toluene; used as a high explosive.
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(13 August 1999, Manila) A deadly explosion in the Philippines' National
Bureau of Investigation was initially considered to be a terrorist act. But
the ensuing investigation linked the event not to criminals, but to
careless NBI agents smoking near a bucketful of TNT. The blast killed seven
people, including the perpetrator, and demolished the NBI Special
Investigation Division. Grenades and other explosives also detonated in the
fire. Officials are considering charging the Division Chief with criminal
negligence for failing to safeguard seized explosives. But it is the
perpetrator, envisioned crushing out his cigarette in a pail of explosives,
who wins a Darwin Award.
DarwinAwards.com © 1994 - 2012
Submitted by: Steve
Evans
Reference: Associated Press
Jason Parker
argues:
It is not possible to detonate TNT by smoking around it. TNT
does not ignite, it DETONATES, meaning a shock wave of high
intensity is necessary to make it explode. This shock wave is
usually provided by a small charge of low explosive such as
a blasting cap. A less common means of ignition is an ignition
fuse, but the story does not indicate that this type of fuse
was present.
Jon D. says,
"Regarding stories about cigarettes or other lit objects falling into
buckets of TNT and causing explosions: I've read that TNT will ignite if
incandescently lit, but only explode with a detonator. There is a story on
the 'net about a professor with an ashtray made from TNT. Also, since TNT
melts at 80 degrees Celsius, it's solid at room temperature, and probably
easier to store as bricks.
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