April 2025: Latest Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear (CBRN) agents added to METIS

SODIUM CYANIDE

CHEMICAL

Sodium cyanide (NaCN) is a highly toxic compound that is capable of being a rapidly acting, lethal poison that can inhibit cellular respiration, leading to hypoxia and death. It is not classified as a chemical weapon under under the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC), though its toxic properties make it a concern for safety and security in industrial and environmental contexts.

OSINT recorded by Fenix Insight on  22 July 2024:

"Kenyan officials have appealed for assistance in locating containers of highly toxic sodium cyanide, which were stolen from an overturned lorry near Nairobi."

RICIN

BIOLOGICAL

Ricin is a highly toxic protein classified as a Category B bioterrorism agent due to its potential for dissemination, morbidity, and need for enhanced surveillance. Ricin can be inhaled, ingested, or injected, causing severe poisoning that can lead to respiratory distress, gastrointestinal symptoms, organ failure, and death within 36 to 72 hours if untreated.

OSINT recorded by Fenix Insight on  21 July 2024:

"Possible ricin Found In Evacuated Minneapolis Apartment Complex, FBI Says. The bureau said a University of Minnesota student may have intentionally been handling the biological toxin."

CAPSAICIN

CHEMICAL

Capsaicin is the active component of chili peppers, and is incorporated into crowd control agents, such as pepper spray. Although capsaicin is not classified as a chemical weapon, its use in pepper sprays for law enforcement and self-defense is regulated in many countries.

OSINT recorded by Fenix Insight on 23 October 2024:

"Videos that went viral on social media platforms show Aurinegro fans throwing sticks and stones to attack the police who responded with pepper spray and rubber bullets."

RADIOLOGICAL/NUCLEAR

CHEMICAL

Cesium-135 (Cs-135) is a radioactive isotope of cesium, an element that is widely used in various industrial and medical applications. It is a by-product of nuclear fission, often found in the waste of nuclear reactors. Exposure to Cs-135 can be harmful due to its radioactive properties. The primary danger comes from internal exposure to radiation if it is inhaled, ingested, or enters the body through wounds.

OSINT recorded by Fenix Insight on 19 February 2015:

"AP reports that the last attempt was in February, when a smuggler in the Moldovan capital, Chisinau, offered a large cache of deadly cesium and was specifically looking for a buyer from IS."

HYDROGEN PEROXIDE

CHEMICAL

Hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) is a strong oxidizer, that while not a chemical warfare agent, can be weaponized in improvised explosives. It has also been considered for rocket propellants and can act as a precursor in chemical weapon synthesis.

OSINT recorded by Fenix Insight on 15 November 2024:

"The derailment occurred after 8 a.m. in the community of Longueuil, on Montreal’s south shore, the Montreal Gazette reports, resulting in a spill of hydrogen peroxide; exposure to the chemical can lead to eye and throat irritation, coughing, and sneezing."

THORIUM-234

RADIOLOGICAL/NUCLEAR

Thorium-234 (Th-234) is a radioactive isotope of thorium that occurs naturally as an intermediate decay product in the uranium-238 (U-238) decay chain. Its beta emissions pose a moderate external and internal radiation risk if exposure occurs in significant amounts.

OSINT recorded by Fenix Insight on 5 August 2006:

"The derailment occurred after 8 a.m. in the community of Longueuil, on Montreal’s south shore, the Montreal Gazette reports, resulting in a spill of hydrogen peroxide; exposure to the chemical can lead to eye and throat irritation, coughing, and sneezing."