Potential Targets

Transportation accounts for 11 percent of the U.S. economy. Approximately 800,000 shipments of HAZMAT are shipped every day in the U.S. The transportation of gasoline and propane alone command a nationwide fleet of 85,000 trucks. That means that at any time, there could be a large amount of HAZMAT in the area.

Some HAZMAT can cause a powerful explosion if mixed or ignited. For example, ammonium nitrate was used in the first bombing of the World Trade Center in 1993 and in the Oklahoma City bombing in 1995. Other HAZMAT includes toxic chemicals such as chlorine gas and cyanide, which could cause massive causalities if released in a confined area.

Certain locations are more vulnerable to a terrorist attack. Special consideration should be given to the following types of locations:

• Infrastructure
  • Highways
  • Bridges
  • Tunnels
  • Subways
  • Airports
  • Hospitals
• Symbolic
  • Symbols of national pride
  • Military bases
  • Embassies
  • Religious institutions
• Civilian
  • Shopping malls
  • Schools
  • Sports stadiums
• Industrial
  • Chemical plants
  • Tank farms
  • Loading facilities

To learn more about DOT HAZMAT Awareness visit our DOT HAZMAT General Awareness Online Training web page.