Miguel Serrano, the man arrested in Staten Island for sales of common, legal chemicals remains in custody on 250,000 dollars bail. This despite being in a PRISON WARD of a hospital where the 57 year old recently underwent open heard surgery. Apparently, he is still considered a flight risk, or simply is being made to look like a terrorist, in order to help make the authorities look like they have some sort of competence. While Serrano has criminal convictions, in unrelated matters, in his distant past, it’s hard not to feel some sympathy for a guy who was trying to make an honest buck and got caught up in the politics of scaremongering, and now is chained to his own hospital bed, where his life and freedom are both in question.

It appears that Staten Island DA Daniel Donovan flunked high school chemistry pretty damn badly when he stated “The combination of chemicals in his home posed a grave risk of death or injury to the surrounding neighborhood.” in reference to the June police raid of Miguel Serrano’s residence in Staten Island, on charges that he had purchased chemicals with the intent of selling them online for a profit.

The raid, (which I have written about in the past as a prime example of the government at it’s worst) netted a cache of relatively mundane chemicals, which any individual can buy without license, as well as 1500 pounds of potassium nitrate, a substance, which, though not explosive on it’s own, is a component of black powder, the old, low-power form of gun powder that, when lit goes more “sizzle” than “boom!” The large quantity of potassium nitrate wasn’t even stored at his home, but offsite at a storage faculty.

Click to Enlarge

So what was Mr Serrano charges with? Well, he had to be charged with *something* because otherwise it might seem like the authorities had been overzealous, when they descended on Staten Island, looking like some sort of cross between an army of astronauts and Darth Vader clones. Also, he had some unrelated convictions decades ago, so this “ex con” is, according to those in power, about as bad as Bin Laden – Only worse. Well, Mr Serrano was charged with “Reckless Endangerment” a felony, and one of those crimes which is so loosely defined it’s just PERFECT for using in a situation where someone hasn’t actually done anything wrong.

The simple definition being “involving conduct that is wrongful and reckless or wanton and could cause harm to others”

Apparently the problem is that Mr. Sorreno didn’t actually violate any chemical statutes, state or federal. And the storage faculty chemicals were deemed to be legal and within all state and federal regulations. Illegal purchasing of chemicals? no. Sales? no. Storage? no. But “Reckless Engangerment?” hell, that’s so arbitrary, it was the best thing that anyone at the DA’s office could pull out of their @$$.

So what was found in Mr Serrano’s home? Here are the chemicals reported in the media:

Potassium Nitrate - The chemical mentioned earlier as potentially “bomb making” which is used in the old black powder formulas. Only small amounts were present in the residence……

Hydrogen Peroxide - This chemical is extremely common in mouthwash and antiseptics and at less than 5% concentrations is relatively harmless. At high concentrations, above 30% or so, it is a strong oxidizer. If the concentrations are high enough, it could eat through flesh. It is commonly used for a variety of processes including cleaning, medical, manufacturing and as a fuel for jet packs. (no kidding). It is unknown what concentrations were present, but believed to be low, based on it’s availability. It appears that the concentration found was relatively low.

Iron Oxide – Also known as RUST.

Potassium Permanganate – A very common chemical which is most commonly used in aquariums and to eliminate snails. It is also commonly used to remove iron or hydrogen sulfide from well water. It is sometimes used in thermite-based welding. It is also a component of old fashioned “flash powder” and is sometimes used in stage effects that require a short bright flash. Also used in many rust removers.

It is commonly available, without a permit, at any major pool supply store.

Mercury (Metalic) – Liquid metal used in thermometers, tilt sensors, florescent lights, electronics and many other things. It is toxic and an environmental hazard, but can be purchased by anyone from numerous suppliers. How much of a danger this may have been would be dependant on it’s quantity.

It is not uncommon to find in numerous industrial settings. And available from any chemical supply company

Iodine – It is unclear what form of iodine was found. However it is a substance with numerous uses, including pyrotechnics, where it can be used to color smoke, but also as a nutritional supplement, as a disinfectant, in dying fabrics, in metal plating and other industrial processes.

It can be purchased without license from any major chemical or industrial supply company.

Sulfur – It has been pointed out that sulfur is a component of old-fashioned black powder. It also has many other uses too numerous to list, but some include: painting, making dyes, pyrotechnics, creating “rotten egg gas”, pharmaceuticals, detergents, fungicides, food preservation…

It can be purchased at many drug stores or in larger quantities from a wholesaler. No license is required.

Ammonium dichromate – In addition to many industrial uses, Ammonium dichromate is a mainstay of science fairs. It can be used to create a “tabletop volcano” with a simple and impressive reaction that occurs at about 180 C. It is also a component of old “flash powder” used in early photography and is used in stage effects requiring a flash-like reaction.

Aluminum powder – Uses too numerous to list, but include metal processing, chemical reduction reactions, manufacturing and producing bright “sparks” for stage and special effects.

“Pool Chemicals” – Very vague reference, but obviously entirely legal and available at numerous locations.

Places where some or all of these materials can be bought by anyone, without license, legally:

http://www.unitednuclear.com

http://www.skylighter.com/

http://www.americanfiltration.com/

http://www.acehardwaresuperstore.com/

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/

http://www.aicma.com/

http://www.chemistrystore.com/

http://www.sciencelab.com/

http://www.labdepotinc.com/

http://www.galladechem.com/

http://www.sciencecompany.com/

http://www.mallbaker.com/

http://www.industrialchemicals.com/

http://www.chemical-supermarket.com/

http://www.bettymills.com/shop

http://www.ashland.com/

http://www.chemsavers.com/

http://www.sargentwelch.com/

http://www.advance-scientific.net/

http://www.gfschemicals.com/

http://www.thehomedepot.com

…and many many more!

And of course ebay, where any and all of these chemicals can be found in quantities up to the hundreds of pounds sold by many different parties.

 

Sources:

http://blog.silive.com/advanceupdate/2007/07/alleged_chemical_pastor_has_he.html
http://www.ny1.com/ny1/content/index.jsp?stid=1&aid=71626
http://www.newsday.com/news/local/newyork/ny-nychem305275859jun30,0,5535049.story?coll=ny-nynews-print

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This entry was posted on Thursday, July 26th, 2007 at 11:49 am and is filed under Bad Science, Culture, Education, Events. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

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