Global Security Newswire

Jordan has banned the import of a fertilizer that could be used as a chemical weapon, Agence France-Presse reported yesterday (see GSN, Aug. 2).

“The government has banned the trade and import of urea tablets, used in the production of fertilizers ... out of fear they may be used in terrorist chemical attacks,” says a report in the Jordanian al-Ghad newspaper, citing official guidelines on the use of dangerous chemicals.

Urea is a component of mammalian urine, and is synthesized from ammonia and carbon dioxide. While the Jordanian government has banned urea tablets, it allows purchases of the substance in liquid form, according to AFP.

The trade ban also applies to acids with concentration levels higher than 30 percent, according to the report. However, factories, research centers, schools and universities are exempt from the rule, according to al-Ghad (Agence France-Presse/Turkish Press, Aug. 3).