Many common household items, such as cleaning agents, polishes, and medications, contain explosive compounds. While these chemicals are typically used in small, safe quantities, larger amounts can pose significant risks under certain conditions.
Terrorists have increasingly turned to everyday products to create explosives, with the Internet serving as a key resource for obtaining instructions. In response, the Australian government has launched a chemical security initiative aimed at educating the public about hazardous chemicals and encouraging reports of suspicious activities to their national security hotline.
Despite the government's efforts, some critics argue that publishing an official list of 96 potentially dangerous chemicals approved for use in Australia is a misstep. While officials claim the information was already accessible online, concerns remain that the list may attract more attention from terrorists than from individuals looking to report suspicious behavior.
10. Ammonium Nitrate

Initially mass-produced in the 1940s for military purposes, ammonium nitrate transitioned to widespread use as a fertilizer after World War II. Its popularity stems from its rich nutrient profile and cost-effective production, making it a preferred source of nitrogen and ammonium.
The devastating explosion at the West Fertilizer Company in West, Texas, in April 2013 highlighted the dangers of ammonium nitrate. The blast obliterated the farming town, claiming 15 lives, injuring over 200, and destroying 500 homes. A storage area for hazardous chemicals, including ammonium nitrate, resulted in a massive 28-meter-wide (93 ft) crater. The explosion's force was comparable to a magnitude 2.1 earthquake.
While ammonium nitrate remains stable under normal conditions, it becomes highly explosive when exposed to fire. This hazardous property led to the deadliest industrial accident in US history in 1947, when a ship carrying 2,300 tons of ammonium nitrate caught fire in Texas City due to a carelessly discarded cigarette.
The explosion triggered a chain reaction with a neighboring ship, also loaded with ammonium nitrate. The force of the blast was so intense that it knocked people off their feet in Galveston, Texas, located 16 kilometers (10 mi) away. Additional destruction ensued as oil refineries and chemical tanks in the port ignited. The catastrophe is believed to have resulted in 581 fatalities.
Ammonium nitrate has been a key component in numerous terrorist attacks. In 1995, a truck filled with the compound was used in the Oklahoma City bombing, claiming 168 lives. It was also employed in the 2002 Bali nightclub bombing, which killed 202 people, and in a 2011 bombing in Oslo, Norway, that left eight dead.
In 2011, the Department of Homeland Security implemented regulations to restrict the sale of ammonium nitrate.
9. Butane

Butane, a gaseous fuel extracted from petroleum, is produced through the fractional distillation of fossil fuels, originating from naturally decomposing organic materials. It is commonly used in cigarette lighters, camping gear, and outdoor cooking. Additionally, liquefied petroleum gas, a mixture of butane and petroleum, powers vehicles and heating systems.
While butane is primarily classified as a highly flammable gas rather than an explosive, it can detonate in poorly ventilated spaces if leaks are ignited by a spark or flame. For instance, on March 6, 2018, a butane hash lab exploded in Gaylord, Michigan. Authorities suspect the individuals were producing a marijuana concentrate using butane extraction methods.
The operators of the drug lab suffered severe injuries. By the time officials arrived, the two suspects had already driven themselves to a nearby hospital. Due to the severity of their burns, they were airlifted to a specialized burn unit. The explosion also caused significant damage to the apartment, with walls collapsing into adjacent units.
In 2017, a man in Singapore, struggling with relationship and financial issues, attempted suicide by releasing butane gas in his car. However, when he lit a cigarette, the spark from his lighter ignited the gas, causing an explosion.
Although he escaped the blast unharmed, the explosion damaged nine vehicles, including his rented Nissan Dualis. The 32-year-old man admitted guilt to two counts of reckless behavior, one count of mischief, and four unrelated fraud charges.
8. Nitromethane

For over 75 years, racing enthusiasts have experimented with various exotic fuels and additives to boost vehicle performance. Nitromethane has emerged as the most powerful option, delivering immense energy that pushes engines to the brink of destruction.
Nitromethane contains its own oxygen, allowing it to burn without external air, which once made it suitable as rocket fuel. Beyond racing, it serves industrial purposes as a cleaning solvent and aids in the production of pesticides, pharmaceuticals, and coatings.
Dow Chemical Company, with 50 years of experience in producing nitromethane, emphasizes that the chemical can be safely managed if its risks are understood and hazardous conditions are avoided. These include exposure to acids, bases, amines, or other reactive chemicals, as well as handling it under high temperatures or pressure.
In the event of a nitromethane spill, evaporation can rapidly lead to hazardous air contamination. It is crucial to use explosion-proof equipment for cleanup and containment to prevent further risks.
While pure nitromethane has low toxicity, it can irritate the respiratory tract and affect the central nervous system, causing symptoms like drowsiness, dizziness, headaches, unconsciousness, or even fatal outcomes. Laboratory studies have also linked it to cancer in animals.
7. Picric Acid

Picric acid, when mixed with at least 10% water by mass, forms a yellow slurry or moist crystals. While it is highly explosive when dry, wetting it reduces the risk of detonation. Historically used in dye synthesis, match and explosive production, colored glass manufacturing, copper etching, and pharmaceuticals, its use has declined due to its toxic properties.
Picric acid played a role in the largest man-made explosion prior to Hiroshima. During World War I in 1917, the US was transporting 3,000 tons of explosives, including TNT and picric acid, along with 400 barrels of airplane fuel, on the SS Mont-Blanc, a 98-meter (320 ft) ship. This cargo weighed 13 times more than the Statue of Liberty.
On that fateful morning, the SS Imo, a 131-meter (430 ft) cargo ship, was leaving Halifax Harbor. Running late, the Imo violated maritime law by overtaking slower ships on the left to save time.
Passing on the left inevitably leads to a collision, much like in traffic. The Mont-Blanc ended up in the Imo's path. Both captains recognized the impending crash and exchanged whistle blasts, arguing over right of way. Despite reversing their engines, the collision was unavoidable.
The impact dislodged fuel barrels, and sparks from the grinding steel hulls ignited the spilled fuel. Aware of the ship's dangerous cargo, crew members fled to lifeboats, rowed to shore, and escaped into the woods.
The fire aboard the Mont-Blanc raged for 18 minutes. By 9:00 AM, curious onlookers, including children heading to school and adults on their way to work, gathered at the dock to witness the burning ship.
At 9:04 AM, the ship exploded in all directions at a staggering speed of 5,472 kilometers per hour (3,400 mph), four times the speed of sound. Those closest to the blast were instantly vaporized, while others perished under debris or collapsing structures. Some victims drowned in the massive tsunami triggered by the explosion.
The disaster claimed nearly 2,000 lives, injured 9,000, and left 25,000 homeless. An anchor from the Mont-Blanc was discovered 3.2 kilometers (2 mi) away. The shockwave was so powerful that it knocked plates off shelves in Prince Edward Island, 177 kilometers (110 mi) distant.
6. Erythritol Tetranitrate

Pure erythritol tetranitrate can detonate when exposed to extreme heat or impact. To reduce explosion risks, it is typically mixed with lactose. Its simple production process and the widespread availability of erythritol, a natural sweetener, make it a popular choice for amateur experimenters.
Erythritol tetranitrate functions as a vasodilator, aiding in the expansion of blood vessels. It was also the key component in the original slow-release tablets known as “nitroglyn.”
In April 2017, a 14-year-old boy in Northern Ireland was charged with terrorism-related offenses. He was accused of trying to purchase a Soviet-era machine gun on the dark web and possessing a document detailing the production of erythritol tetranitrate. Earlier that year, he was also charged with attempting to acquire a submachine gun and 100 rounds of ammunition.
As part of his bail conditions, the boy was initially barred from using computers, but the restriction was lifted to allow him internet access for educational purposes. He is permitted to use a computer between 5:00 PM and 8:00 PM under the supervision of his parents or teachers. Allegedly, his actions were intended to “intimidate” someone.
In 2010, a 54-year-old man of Serbian origin was arrested in Escondido, California, for possessing the largest cache of homemade explosives ever discovered in a single location in the US. His home was filled with a chaotic array of junk and explosive materials.
Bomb disposal experts safely detonated approximately 4 kilograms (9 lbs) of explosives but deemed it too risky to continue due to the sheer volume of hazardous substances. A 5-meter (16 ft) fire barrier was erected around the property, and the house was burned down within 30 minutes, with firefighters on standby.
The chemicals discovered included hexamethylene triperoxide diamine, erythritol tetranitrate, and pentaerythritol tetranitrate, the same substances used in the 2001 shoe-bombing attempt on an airliner. Authorities also uncovered molds of human faces, a police uniform shirt, handguns, nine detonators, and 13 partially assembled shrapnel grenades.
The former software engineer was convicted of robbing three banks and creating explosive devices. He received a 30-year sentence in prison.
5. Gunpowder

Long before the atomic bomb, the most lethal weapon was discovered during a quest for eternal life. Chinese alchemists stumbled upon gunpowder around AD 850 while experimenting with elixirs meant to prolong life.
Researchers were testing potassium nitrate, also known as saltpeter, when someone decided to combine it with sulfur and charcoal. A text from the mid-ninth century noted that the scientists suffered burns to their hands and faces during their experiments with the black powder. The mixture produced smoke and flames, ultimately setting their workspace ablaze.
This explosive creation remained a Chinese monopoly until the 13th century, when it reached Europe via the ancient Silk Road. From there, gunpowder spread globally, becoming the foundation for nearly every weapon used in warfare thereafter, including fire arrows, cannons, rifles, and grenades.
Even today, gunpowder remains a cornerstone of many modern weapons, despite being surpassed by more powerful explosives. Contemporary firearms utilize a self-contained “cartridge” that combines gunpowder, a projectile, and an ignition mechanism. It is also widely used in fireworks.
Gunpowder is classified as a “low” explosive, burning rapidly in confined spaces. Although it typically burns rather than detonates, a tragic incident in February 2018 near Thiruvalla, India, resulted in two deaths and five injuries when an illegally stored stockpile of gunpowder ignited.
The gunpowder was stored in a shed for devotees to use in vedi vazhipadu rituals at a shrine. The explosion shattered windows in buildings within a 100-meter (328 ft) radius.
4. Lead Styphnate

Lead styphnate serves as a primary explosive in noncorrosive percussion primers, bridgewire-initiated compositions, detonators, and stab-initiated devices. It is the primary substance used in nearly all US commercial primer applications and is also extensively utilized in military electric initiators, where it transfers heat from a bridgewire, deflagrates, and triggers energetic outputs.
While lead styphnate is a valuable energetic material, it contains lead, a toxic heavy metal that poses environmental and health risks during production and use. This has raised significant health concerns among firearm enthusiasts.
Lead styphnate and gunpowder are essential components in the production of guns and bullets, making them particularly common in US households where firearm ownership is legal. With approximately 16,000–18,000 indoor firing ranges, one million law enforcement officers training regularly, and 20 million recreational shooters, their usage is widespread.
Studies indicate that firearm users are at risk of lead poisoning. Exposure to lead from bullets and airborne particles in shooting ranges can elevate blood lead levels to hazardous concentrations, posing serious health risks.
Approximately 35% of bullet primers consist of lead styphnate and lead dioxide. The intense heat generated when firing a bullet vaporizes some lead fragments, which are then inhaled and absorbed into the bloodstream. Lead dust clings to shooters' clothing, contaminating vehicles and homes, and can also be ingested through hand-to-mouth contact during activities like eating, drinking, or smoking.
In 2015, a lead styphnate explosion at the Sellier & Bellot ammunition plant in Vlasim, Czech Republic, resulted in three fatalities. A bomb squad was deployed to inspect the facility, and a specialized robot was used to ensure safe access.
Lead styphnate is highly sensitive to fire and static electricity, capable of causing significant explosions even in small quantities. Static discharges from the human body can trigger spontaneous explosions if the compound is dry. Sellier & Bellot manufactures over two million cartridges daily, with 30% of its ammunition exported to North America.
3. Nitroglycerin

Nitroglycerin is a highly reactive vasodilator commonly used to treat or prevent chest pain episodes. It works by expanding blood vessels, reducing the heart's workload.
However, excessive intake of nitroglycerin can cause symptoms such as fever, confusion, headaches, dizziness, vomiting, breathing difficulties, vision issues, bloody diarrhea, fainting, cold skin, rapid heart rate, seizures, and even death. Additionally, combining nitroglycerin with erectile dysfunction medications can lead to a sudden and dangerous drop in blood pressure.
Interestingly, nitroglycerin itself can be used to address erectile dysfunction. It is the primary component of a gel tested on 220 men in the UK. Researchers discovered that applying a pea-sized amount of the gel resulted in nearly 50% of participants achieving an erection within five minutes, making it up to 12 times faster than Viagra. About 70% of participants experienced an erection within 10 minutes.
This explosive solution could benefit millions. Around 40% of American men over 40 suffer from erectile dysfunction. Unlike Viagra and similar drugs, which take 30–60 minutes to work, this gel offers a quicker alternative.
Despite its potential, about 30% of men who have tried traditional medications found them ineffective, with side effects like headaches and stomach discomfort. While the gel may also cause headaches, researchers aim to refine the formula to eliminate adverse effects. The product is expected to hit the market by 2019.
While nitroglycerin has medicinal uses, its primary application is in explosives. First created by Ascanio Sobrero in 1846, it became the first explosive more powerful than black powder. Alfred Nobel later industrialized its production after extensive research.
Nobel's first significant invention was a blasting cap, a wooden plug filled with gunpowder that could be ignited by a fuse. This device was used to detonate surrounding nitroglycerin.
Nobel aimed to revolutionize mining with his explosive innovations. One of his key breakthroughs was combining nitroglycerin with kieselguhr to create a malleable paste.
This paste was molded into rods for insertion into drilling holes. Nobel also invented a blasting cap to ensure controlled detonation, naming the paste dynamite.
2. Acetone Peroxide

Acetone peroxide prompted the UK government to address “Internet abuse” in 2005, as bomb-making guides online were deemed a significant threat.
A Home Office spokesperson stated that they collaborated with G8 and European partners to target such websites and identify those responsible. Downloading or attempting to follow bomb-making instructions could result in charges under the Act Preparatory to Terrorism introduced that year.
Combining common household items like bleach, antiseptics, paint thinners, and drain cleaners in specific proportions can yield white acetone peroxide crystals. While used in cosmetics and first aid products, its accessibility has made it a preferred weapon for suicide bombers.
The chemical name for acetone peroxide is triacetone triperoxide (TATP). Its explosive power rivals TNT, and it is highly sensitive to heat, friction, and shock. Among Islamic extremists, TATP is nicknamed “Mother of Satan” due to its extreme instability and the numerous fatalities caused by improper handling.
During the 2015 Paris terrorist attacks, TATP played a crucial role as seven out of eight assailants detonated bomb vests filled with shrapnel, resulting in 130 fatalities and 99 severe injuries. Known for its simplicity in production and difficulty in detection, TATP was the primary component in these explosives. This substance was previously utilized by the notorious 'shoe bomber' in 2001 and was also involved in subsequent attacks in London, Texas City, and Oklahoma between 2005 and 2006.
1. Nitrocellulose

Nitrocellulose is created when cellulose reacts with nitric acid. It is known for its high flammability and minimal toxicity. This compound is deemed explosive when the nitrogen concentration surpasses 12.6 percent.
Since the 1800s, nitrocellulose has been utilized in a variety of applications including paints, plastics, propellants, nail polish, fireworks, pharmaceuticals, explosives, coatings, Ping-Pong balls, smokeless gunpowder, flash paper, and more. It also played a significant role in the early stages of photography, X-ray technology, and film manufacturing.
In 2015, a catastrophic explosion rocked a chemical plant in Tianjin, China, marking one of the most devastating industrial disasters in the nation's history. The incident claimed 173 lives, left many missing, damaged over 300 structures, destroyed more than 12,000 vehicles, and caused economic losses amounting to $1.1 billion.
Most of the casualties were firefighters and police officers, with eight bodies remaining unrecovered. Investigators determined that nitrocellulose ignited the initial fire, which then spread to ammonium nitrate fertilizer, exacerbating the disaster.
A total of 49 employees and government officials were imprisoned for their involvement in the company's unlawful activities. The chairman of Ruihai Logistics was convicted of bribing officials to bypass safety regulations for storing hazardous chemicals.
The chemical plant's leader was handed a suspended death sentence, while others faced charges including abuse of authority and illegal storage of dangerous substances.