The biggest terrorist attack ever after 9/11 never happened. But the airport liquid limit started there — and there is a scientific explanation.
In some airports around the world, the rule that prevents the transport of liquids weighing more than 100 ml in hand luggage. Still, its origin is not as far-fetched as it may seem — and no, lTaking 10 liquids of 100 ml is not the same as taking a large liquid of 1 liter. Science explains.
According to , this limit was introduced in 2006, after UK police foiled a plan by British Islamists to detonate explosives on transatlantic flights.
The terrorists’ plan involvedsmuggling liquid explosives disguised as soft drinks in carry-on luggagein an attack that would have been the deadliest since 9/11.
The British government raised the threat level from “severe” to “critical” and, as a precautionary measure, banned all hand luggage on planes.
but it has everything to do with chemistry. Firstly, explains , traditional airport X-ray machines cannot distinguish a bottle of orange juice from a bottle of dangerous chemicals.
According to one on Instagram by scientist Nuno Maulide, the limit of 100 ml makes it impossible to disguise dangerous chemicalssince in small liquids “the system loses heat too quickly” and a dangerous chemical reaction stops. That’s why when you travel you have to pay attention to the size of your perfume bottle — if you don’t want to be without it.
Carolina Bastos Pereira, ZAP //
