The Science of Dry Ice Bombs, Like LAX’s

Improvised explosives detonated at LAX rely on basic chemistry.

On the evening of October 14, dry ice exploded at the Tom Bradley International Terminal in Los Angeles, according to airport police. The blast occurred in an employee restroom that was inaccessible to the general public. There were no injuries reported and flights were not delayed.

Authorities found three plastic bottles in the restroom that had been packed with dry ice; one of the bottles had exploded.

On Tuesday evening, media reported that 28-year-old Dicarlo Bennett from South Los Angeles was arrested in connection with the alleged dry ice devices. According to police, Bennett worked for Servisair, an airport contractor.

The case had been referred to the FBI, and Los Angeles police detective Gus Villanueva had told the media earlier that there

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