FBI: Be On Alert For TATP Terror Plot

Unstable men with unstable chemicals. This isn't good:

Counter-terrorism officials on Tuesday urged local police to be on the lookout for evidence of homemade bombs, a day after the FBI raided four apartments in Queens looking for bomb-making components.

Police departments are being urged to be on the lookout for specific indicators of terrorist activity.

"I believe it's prudent to put that information out. We welcome it," said NYPD Commissioner Ray Kelly.

The directive speaks of the possible use of hydrogen peroxide in bombs, and to look for people who may have burns on the face, hands and arms.

Hydrogen peroxide is a key ingredient in the home-brew explosive triacetone triperoxide, or TATP. It is a very unstable and made with relatively common chemicals, and has been used in numerous plots around the world.

The good news?

Many terrorists have blown themselves up attempting to create the mixture, and often times incorrectly manufactured TATP refuses to detonate.

Hopefully the exposure of the plot will send the plotters on the run and foil their plans. That said, if you happen to be near someone carrying a pungent, leaking backpack, take the only sensible precaution, and push him in front of a bus.