Editing Pentaerythritol tetranitrate (section)

===Detection===
In the wake of terrorist PETN bomb plots, an article in ''[[Scientific American]]'' noted PETN is difficult to detect because it does not readily vaporize into the surrounding air.<ref name="scientificamerican1"/> The ''[[Los Angeles Times]]'' noted in November 2010 that PETN's low [[vapor pressure]] makes it difficult for bomb-sniffing dogs to detect.<ref name="latimes.com"/>

Many technologies can be used to detect PETN, including chemical sensors, X-rays, infrared, microwaves<ref>Committee on the Review of Existing and Potential Standoff Explosives Detection Techniques, National Research Council (2004) [http://www.nap.edu/openbook.php?record_id=10998&page=1 Existing and Potential Standoff Explosives Detection Techniques], National Academies Press, Washington, D.C. p. 77.</ref> and terahertz,<ref>{{cite book|doi=10.1117/12.2197442|chapter=Discrimination and identification of RDX/PETN explosives by chemometrics applied to terahertz time-domain spectral imaging|title=Millimetre Wave and Terahertz Sensors and Technology VIII|volume=9651|pages=965109|year=2015|last1=Bou-Sleiman|first1=J.|last2=Perraud|first2=J.-B.|last3=Bousquet|first3=B.|last4=Guillet|first4=J.-P.|last5=Palka|first5=N.|last6=Mounaix|first6=P.|s2cid=137950290|editor1-last=Salmon|editor1-first=Neil A|editor2-last=Jacobs|editor2-first=Eddie L}}</ref> some of which have been implemented in public screening applications, primarily for air travel. PETN is one of the explosive chemicals typically of interest in that area, and it belongs to a family of common [[Nitro compound|nitrate-based explosive chemicals]] which can often be detected by the same tests.

One detection system in use at airports involves analysis of swab samples obtained from passengers and their baggage. Whole-body imaging scanners that use radio-frequency [[electromagnetic wave]]s, low-intensity [[X-rays]], or T-rays of terahertz frequency that can detect objects hidden under clothing are not widely used because of cost, concerns about the resulting traveler delays, and privacy concerns.<ref>[https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/12/27/AR2009122702021.html "Equipment to detect explosives is available"]. ''[[The Washington Post]]''. Retrieved February 8, 2010.</ref>

Both parcels in the 2010 cargo plane bomb plot were x-rayed without the bombs being spotted.<ref name="spiegel1"/> [[Qatar Airways]] said the PETN bomb "could not be detected by x-ray screening or trained [[sniffer dog]]s".<ref name="autogenerated1">{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/11658452 |title=Q&A: Air freight bomb plot |work=[[BBC News]] |date=October 30, 2010 |access-date=November 3, 2010}}</ref> The [[Federal Criminal Police Office (Germany)|Bundeskriminalamt]] received copies of the Dubai x-rays, and an investigator said German staff would not have identified the bomb either.<ref name="spiegel1">{{cite news |url=http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/0,1518,726746,00.html |title=Foiled Parcel Plot: World Scrambles to Tighten Air Cargo Security |work=[[Der Spiegel]] |access-date=November 2, 2010}}</ref><ref name="aljazeera1">{{cite web |url=http://english.aljazeera.net/news/middleeast/2010/10/20101031144429122829.html |title=Passenger jets carried Dubai bomb |publisher=[[Al Jazeera Media Network|Al Jazeera]] |date=October 31, 2010}}</ref> New airport security procedures followed in the U.S., largely to protect against PETN.<ref name="latimes.com"/>