Homemade bombs made from household chemicals such as toilet bowl, drain, and driveway cleaners aren't child's play. These explosive devices can cause severe injuries and even death. Researchers from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported data about homemade chemical bombs and resulting injuries over a 10-year period.

Twenty-nine homemade chemical bomb incidents occurred from January 1, 1993, to March 31, 2003; 83% of these events occurred during 2000 to 2003. In most cases, the bombs exploded; 17% of cases involved failed explosions. Ten percent of the bomb events caused injuries, including eye irritation, respiratory irritation, and chemical burns, although no deaths from chemical bomb injuries were reported. The most common chemicals used to create the bombs were sodium hypochlorite (a chemical found in bleach), sodium hydroxide (a chemical used in paper-making and drain cleaners), hydrochloric acid (a chemical found in some cleaning and furniture refinishing fluids), and other types of acid.

Three quarters of the bombs were made by kids and teens under 18 years of age or college students. Most bomb events occurred at schools or at home.

What This Means to You

The chemical reactions that occur in homemade chemical bombs make them very unstable and unpredictable. Because these bombs can be deadly, creating them is a felony offense in some states. If you or your child finds a bottle filled with a white or gray liquid with a cloudy appearance, it may be a chemical bomb. Move away to more than 200 feet from the suspected bomb, and call the police. You should never touch or handle a device you think may be a bomb, even if it's in your own home or on your property.

Source: S. Harden, MPH; D. Cooper; R. Wilburn, MPH; L. Phillips; L. Gunnells; B. Hamilton; J. Drew; D.K. Horton, MSPH; W.E. Kaye, PhD; K.P. Ernst, MPH; Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, July 18, 2003

Reviewed by: Steve Dowshen, MD
Date reviewed: August 2003