Yes, I know it's just one of those annoying email things from months ago but unfortunately this one is true and since it seems to be circulating again and it's close to Halloween you never know who might see this and decide it would be a good idea so I'm posting it along with the Snopes link so you can check it out for yourself to see that it's true.
http://www.snopes.com/crime/warnings/bottlebomb.asp
Quote
> snopes.com: Bottle Bombs
>
> Be careful. Look at it – don't touch – call Law Enforcement Officer – Let them decide course of action.
>
> Subj: FW: danger
>
> Subject: Fox News Warning --- Do Not pick up capped bottles
>
> Anyone who sees a plastic bottle in their yard would think nothing of picking it up to throw it away. Please, DO NOT pick up capped-bottles with liquid in them. Here's why):
>
> Looks like these things are starting to pop up around the U.S. There's more information about this and a video - on.
>
> http://www.snopes.com/crime/warnings/bottlebomb.asp .
>
> It's pretty scary - NOT A JOKE!
>
> 1. A plastic bottle with a cap (Like a normal water bottle).
> 2. A little Drano.
> 3. A little water.
> 4. A small piece of foil.
> 5. Disturb it by moving it;
> 6. BOOM! ? less than 30 seconds! No fingers left and other serious effects to your face, eyes, etc.
>
>
>
> People are finding these bombs in mailboxes and in their yards, just waiting for someone to pick it up intending to put it in the trash. It takes about 30 seconds to blow after you move It .
So how do you get rid of one of these bombs?
Call 911
The problem is that if everyone called 911 when they found a capped bottle, emergency responders would have to have an army. Of course I live on a major highway so I see capped bottles all the time. Usually empty but sometimes they have liquid in them, some you can't tell until you pick them up. No, I was looking for an idea where the homeowner could stand up and take care of the problem themselves. It was my fault for not being specific.
How does the emergency responder get rid of the bottle? Maybe push it around with a broom handle and stand back and watch it explode, or pierce the plastic bottle with a pellet gun so the pressure will not build up are some ideas that I had. Why does moving the bottle activate it?
There is a similar problem with the druggies making meth using the one pot method. The nitrogen fertilizer and sodium hydroxide, or lye, react to make ammonia gas. These idiots ride around in a car, shaking the damned thing to keep the reaction going, then "burping" the bottle when it builds up pressure by loosening the cap. If they don't get it right, or the reaction runs away, the bottle explodes showering those nearby with a liquid that has a basic pH, which as we all recall from grade school, will burn you as bad as an acid. When I read this thread, I first thought that was what they were talking about.
Hum, that does present a problem. It would have been nice if the video had suggested a way to get rid of a suspect bottle safely.