Common uses for chemicals of security concern that terrorists may seek to use to do harm in Australia. If you use, sell, store or transport high-risk chemicals of security concern you can help keep Australia safe from terrorism by following the National Code of Practice for Chemicals of Security Concern. The Code is at: . Report suspicious behaviour to the National Security Hotline: 1800 123 400 High-risk chemicals This table lists 15 high-risk chemicals of security concern that terrorists can use as ingredients to make bombs and toxic weapons. It also outlines how these 15 chemicals are commonly used in Australia. Chemical Concentration/form that is of security concern Common uses in Australia* phosphide At any concentration Mixed function pesticide used in agriculture Ammonium perchlorate In a water-based solution containing 10% or higher of ammonium perchlorate; or In a form other than a solution, at a concentration of 65% or higher Fireworks Explosives Rocketry Diagnostic reagent Laboratory reagent Chlorine Gas only treatment Mining Calibration gas Chemical manufacture Scientific research Fuel gas mixture Hydrogen peroxide In a water-based solution at any concentration; or In a form other than a solution, at a concentration of 15% or higher Laundry Cleaning Dairy industry Water treatment Pharmaceuticals Mining Industry Pool & spa industry Paper & pulp bleaching Hair and beauty industry Food & beverage industry Nitric acid At a concentration of 30% or higher Dairy industry Mining industry Food & beverage industry Metal processing & treatment Nitromethane At a concentration of 10% or higher Pharmaceuticals Racing fuel in high performance racing A fuel component in radio-controlled models Analytical laboratories Potassium chlorate In a water-based solution containing 10% or higher of potassium chlorate; or In a form other than a solution, at a concentration of 65% or higher Fireworks Explosives Diagnostic reagent Laboratory reagent Potassium cyanide At any concentration Mining Agricultural Scientific research Jewel washing Electroplating Potassium nitrate In a water-based solution containing 10% or higher of potassium nitrate; or In a form other than a solution, at a concentration of 65% or higher Fertiliser Rocketry Fireworks Food preservation Potassium In a water-based solution Fireworks Smelting Diagnostic reagent
Diethyl phosphite Scientific research Dimethyl mercury Scientific research Dimethyl phosphite Plastic Dye Scientific research Pesticide Lubricant Adhesive Flame retardant Dimethyl sulphate Fabric manufacture Scientific research Ethyldiethanolamine Scientific research Ethyl mercury chloride Pesticide Scientific research Pharmaceutical research Fluorine Gas only Low friction plastics(eg Teflon) Production of Halons (eg. Freon) Manufacturing and flat panel display production Plasma etching in semi-conductor Rocket fuel oxidiser Fluoroacetic acid Scientific research Water treatment Fluoroethyl alcohol Scientific research Fluoroethyl fluoroacetate Scientific research Hydrochloric acid Liquid or gas Mining Wine industry Metal treatment Food processing Water treatment Leather processing Household cleaning products Chemical manufacture Higher education/ Uni sector Research laboratories Hydrogen chloride Gas only Pickling Electroplating Tanning leather Oilfield acidising Delinting cotton Pharmaceuticals Scientific research Hydro-chlorination of rubber Iron cleaner prior to galvanisation Semi-conductor manufacture Hydrogen cyanide Gas only Manufacture dyes, fumigants, plastics and cyanide compounds Production of acrylonitrile Hydrogen peroxide** In a water-based solution at any concentration; or In a form other than a solution, at a concentration of 15% or higher Laundry Cleaning Dairy industry Pharmaceuticals Mining Industry Pool & spa industry Water treatment Paper & pulp bleaching Hair and beauty industry Food & beverage industry Hydrogen sulphide Gas only Metal treatment Waste disposal Leather tanning water treatment Rayon textile production Pulp and paper manufacture Petroleum and natural gas extraction Mercuric chloride Pesticide Disinfectants Scientific research Timber treatment Mercuric nitrate Scientific research Pharmaceuticals Mercuric oxide Batteries Tattoo dye Scientific research Mercurous nitrate Tanning Pesticide Embalming Lithography Dry batteries Gold refining Preservation Disinfectant Scientific research Mercury cyanide Mining Scientific research Methylediethanolamine Chemical manufacture Scientific research