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Liquids Are Not A Threat, And TSA Should Drop The Liquid Ban Immediately

Myth Busters

Myth

Liquids aren't a threat, and TSA should drop the liquid ban immediately.

Buster

When the U.K. plot was foiled on Aug. 10, 2006, TSA was faced with a novel threat - a liquid explosive that looks just like regular liquids on our current x-ray system:

Until we could fully explore the extent of the threat we had two options, ban all liquids or take no action in the face of this thwarted plot and current threat. DHS and TSA officials made the decision to ban all liquids through the checkpoint. Because our screening technology for checked luggage can detect an assembled bomb- our concern focuses on the passenger checkpoint.

Following eight weeks of extensive research by some of the world’s leading explosives experts, TSA and its international partners developed the current 3-1-1 policy: 3 ounce containers, inside a 1-quart clear, plastic zip-top bag, 1 bag per passenger. 3 ounces of liquid are well within the threat threshold, and the volume also closely coordinates with the international standard of 100 milliliters. The 1-quart bag also serves two purposes, limiting the total volume of liquids and de-cluttering carry-on bags so our officers get a good, clear look at what’s inside.

We also paid close attention to the idea of terrorists combining multiple small bottles in a larger container or combining many small bottles together after going through the checkpoint. Due to the extreme volatility of liquid explosives, the international consensus was that those scenarios don’t represent a significant threat. Thanks to this unprecedented international cooperation, 67 countries, a great majority of the world’s air travelers are under a common set of security rules for the first time.

A couple implausible scenarios aside, liquids remain a real threat to aviation security. We know this through our intelligence sources around the world. We remain at aviation sector level Orange for good reason, and the liquid ban remains in effect for good reason. TSA has already begun deploying promising liquid explosives detection technology for pilot testing at airports, and we anticipate having more than 200 of these hand-held devices in place by Fall 2007.

So, how much damage could a liquid explosive cause? See for yourself:

Until we can deploy liquid explosives detection capability at every checkpoint lane in the country, liquids remain a threat and the liquid ban continues to be a key security measure.