MoCA nod for sanitisers in flights starts debate

Worry is that some of the ingredients in alcohol-based sanitisers are highly inflammable

Terrorists using liquid explosives to blow up aircraft was a major challenge in aviation security starting in the late 1980s through the early 2000s. In the post Covid-19 scenario, as flight services resume across the country from May 25, the Union ministry of civil aviation’s move of allowing hand sanitiser bottles of not more than 350 ml inside the aircraft has re-ignited the debate over liquid explosives.

While the MoCA allowed the hand sanitisers to be carried inside aircraft after much brainstorming over the security threat it can pose in aircraft, there has not been a single instance to suggest that hand sanitisers, when combined with other chemicals, can be used as explosives.

The cause for worry is that some of the ingredients in alcohol-based sanitisers are highly inflammable. What if a group of terrorists, travelling separately in the plane, is able to pool and ignite their hand sanitisers?

Highly placed sources, who were part of the brainstorming sessions which led to the flight services being resumed, told Deccan Chronicle that officials discussed the threat posed by liquid explosives and the quantities required, the chemicals used in them and past incidents of terrorists using it, to analyse whether hand sanitisers could be used as an explosive along with some chemical.

One of the ingredients in alcohol-based hand sanitisers is a combination of isopropyl alcohol and ethanol which is flammable. For alcohol-based sanitisers, the flash point is 63º Fahrenheit (17.2º Celsius),

If stored at room temperature, it could ignite if it comes in contact with a flame.

Sources explained that the temperature inside the aircraft is generally maintained between 22º and 24º

C, more or less the temperature maintained in most office environments.

“We have (explosive trace detection) checks in place besides advanced systems at airports to detect explosives. Passengers were being allowed to bring a quart-sized bag of liquids, aerosols, gels, creams and pastes in their carry-on bags but they were limited to travel-sized containers. Now, we will have every single passenger carrying hand sanitisers inside the aircraft which means the presence of large quantities of sanitisers in the aircraft. It is a unique situation and will pose a huge challenge,” a senior official from New Delhi told this newspaper.

An explosives expert told this newspaper that though hand sanitiser is a high energy material, there is no evidence to suggest that it can be used as an explosive. “Though it does not explode, it can be ignited with a spark. Even if it burns, it is a low flame but 350 ml may be enough to create a scare inside the aircraft. If a group of terrorists is at work, then obviously the quantity of flammable liquid is much higher which means more damage. It can pose a major threat,” he explained.

While attempts to reach Director General of Bureau of Civil Aviation and Security Rakesh Asthana proved futile, sources said that keeping the threat of liquid explosives in view, both the BCAS and the Central Industrial Security Force will take up regular reviews of this aspect. “Once the flight services resume in a calibrated manner, only a limited number of people will travel. The real challenge will be once all flight services are resumed,” he said.