In vitro metabolism of HMTD and blood stability and toxicity of peroxide explosives (TATP and HMTD) in canines and humans

Abstract

1. Triacetone triperoxide (TATP) and hexamethylene triperoxide diamine (HMTD) are prominent explosive threats. Mitigation of peroxide explosives is a priority among the law enforcement community, with canine (K9) units being trained to recognise the scent of peroxide explosives. Herein, the metabolism, blood distribution, and toxicity of peroxide explosives are investigated.

2. HMTD metabolism studies in liver microsomes identified two potential metabolites, tetramethylene diperoxide diamine alcohol aldehyde (TMDDAA) and tetramethylene peroxide diamine dialcohol dialdehyde (TMPDDD).

3. Blood stability studies in dogs and humans showed that HMTD was rapidly degraded, whereas TATP remained for at least one week.

4. Toxicity studies in dog and human hepatocytes indicated minimum cell death for both TATP and HMTD.

Keywords:

• Triacetone triperoxide (TATP)
• hexamethylene triperoxide diamine (HMTD)
• explosives
• metabolism
• blood stability
• toxicity
• hepatocytes
• canine (K9) units

Disclosure statement

The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

Additional information

Funding

This material is based upon work supported by U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Science & Technology Directorate, Office of University Programs, under Grant 2013-ST-061-ED0001.