1、An Introduction to Chemical, Biological, and Radiological Threat AgentsPrepared for National Cooperative Highway Research Program Transportation Research Board, National Research CouncilPrepared by Science Applications International Corporation McLean, VA, tel. (703) 676-4559As part of 20-59(19) Tra
2、nsportation Response Options: Scenarios of Infectious Diseases, Biological Agents, Radiological, Chemical and Other Hazardous Materials: A Guide to Transportations Role in Public Health Disasters Revised: September, 2005,ACKNOWLEDGMENT OF SPONSORSHIP This work was sponsored by the American Associati
3、on of State Highway and Transportation Officials, in cooperation with the Federal Highway Administration, and was conducted in the National Cooperative Highway Research Program, which is administered by the Transportation Research Board of the National Research Council.DISCLAIMER This is an uncorrec
4、ted draft as submitted by the research agency. The opinions and conclusions expressed or implied in the report are those of the research agency. They are not necessarily those of the Transportation Research Board, The National Research Council, the Federal Highway Administration, the American Associ
5、ation of State Highway and Transportation Officials, or the individual states participating in the National Cooperative Highway Research Program.,An Introduction to Chemical, Biological, and Radiological Threat Agents,Revised: September 2005,“The question is, what levels of insanity do we have to pr
6、epare for?”- Joshua Lederberg, Nobel laureate,Descriptions, effects, detection, and general responses to: Chemical threats (Slides 7-14) Biological threats (Slides 15-24)Radiological threats (Slides 25-32),Contents,Summary Comparison,CHEMICAL THREAT AGENT FUNDAMENTALS,Chem-Agent Effects and Treatmen
7、t,Some have no antidote!,Chem-agents may be solid, liquid, or gas.,Types of Chem-Agents,Persistent chemicals remain on surfaces without evaporating or breaking down for more than 24 hours can remain for days to weeks Non-persistent chemicals quickly evaporate and break down carried in bulk on commer
8、cial carriers,Some chem-agents are persistent, many are not persistent,Types of Chem-Agents,Nerve Agents disrupt nervous system, causes paralysis, fatal quickly Blister Agents destroy skin and tissues, cause blindness, may be fatal Choking Agents lung fills with fluid, cause choking, quick or delaye
9、d fatality Blood Agents interferes with oxygen at the cellular level, fatal quickly Riot-Control Agents skin and breathing irritations, rarely fatal,Chem-agents are commonly classified by the type of harm they cause.,Exposure Pathways,+ Typical path + Possible path - Unlikely path,Typical exposure p
10、ath varies with chemical type,Chem-Agent Dose,Note: A barrel holds 44 gallons; tanker trucks carry 1,000 to 12,000 gallons; rail cars carry in excess of 20,000 gallons.,Lethal doses vary among different Chem-agents,Chem-Agent Detection,Some can be seen Some can be smelled Some can be tasted Most can
11、 be felt (e.g. burning sensation, choking) All can be detected by appropriate instruments,Chem-Agent Response,Call in hazmat team Identify chemical agent Isolate and contain affected area Evacuate and shelter-in-place public Provide needed medical treatment Cleanup contaminated area,BIOLOGICAL THREA
12、T AGENT FUNDAMENTALS,The Bio-Agent Threat,Some agents have NO vaccine Some survive dormant in the environment for weeks to years,Many multiply in the body Symptoms may be delayed,Causes disease and death by inhalation, ingestion, or skin contact Some are Contagious! (transferred from person-to-perso
13、n),BACTERIA Single-celled organisms Can reproduce Antibiotic treatment VIRUSES Live inside cells Need host to reproduce Vaccine and antiviral treatments BIOTOXINS Non-living (cant reproduce) Produced by organisms Antidote treatment,Anthrax (Bacteria),Ebola (Virus),Ricin (Toxin),Types of Bio-Agents,B
14、io-Agent Delivery,Overt - Provides notice, creates panic aircraft, bombs, missiles Covert - NO notice; spread may be unchecked for days! Spray fine mist (e.g., into HVAC) Spread on food, water, surfaces (e.g., mail, vehicles) Contagious people and animals,Attacks can be overt or covert method of del
15、ivery is important!,Bio-Agent Dose,A tiny amount of Bio-Agent can be very potent!Inhalation of 1 to 500 bacteria or viruses can cause sickness and death. 100,000 bacteria fit on a pin head 400 million virus fit on a pin head Inhalation of 0.000002 to 4.8 micro grams of a biotoxin can cause sickness
16、A sand grain weighs 170 to 13,000 micrograms,FeltDetected quickly by instruments,Bio-Agent Detection,Bio-Agents are identified through symptoms or through time-consuming tests, because they cannot be:,Seen HeardSmelled,Bio-Agent Indicators,Many patients with same illness at the same time Symptoms un
17、usual for age Type of infection rare to region Dead animals before humans,Since bio-agents are difficult to detect, it is critical to note indicators!,Bio-Agent Response,Identify: Bio-Agent(s), source, area affected, population exposed Notify local medical facilities Isolate and contain affected are
18、as and population Treat - provide vaccine or medications to the affected population Decontaminate affected areas and population Follow-on Treatment - continue medical treatment as appropriate,Bio-Agent Decontamination,Physical removal-HEPA vacuum Liquid decontamination Foam decontamination Emulsions
19、 FumigantsDifferent approaches for different situations, and multiple approaches for most situations.,RADIOLOGICAL THREAT AGENT FUNDAMENTALS,Artificial Sources of Radiation,Medical Equipment Radiopharmaceuticals Industrial instruments Food irradiation facilities Nuclear research laboratories Univers
20、ity research reactors Nuclear weapons Nuclear power plants,Only artificial sources pose a significant threat.,Measuring Radiation,Curie Amount of material,Rem Absorbed dose,Half-Life Time for decay to the original amount,Curies,Time,16,8,4,2,Radiation has unique measurement units.,Shielding from Rad
21、iation,n,Skin, paper, 1 to 4 inches of air,Less than inch metal, glass, concrete, 1 to 18 feet air,2 to 12 inches lead, 3 to 18 inches steel, 1 to 6 feet of concrete,Alpha,Beta,Gamma or Neutron,Radiation radiates in all directions and bounces of surfaces. Protective shielding varies with the type of
22、 radiation.,Radiation Detection,Can not be seen Can not be smelled Can not be tasted Can not be feltCan be rapidly detected by instruments!,Protection from Radiation,1. Minimize Time,2. Maximize Distance,3. Maximize Shielding,Three rules for protection from radiation:,Indications of a Radiological E
23、vent,Explosive release of fine powder or solid material Skin reddening Headaches Nausea & vomiting Hair loss Weakened immune system,Explosions and symptoms of high radiation doses indicate a radiological attack.,Radiation Response, 0.01 Rem/hour, 10 Rem/hour,0.1 Rem 24-Hour Dose 5 Rem,24-Hour Dose 5
24、 Rem,Annual Dose 2 Rem,Radiological Event,First Responders Stay Out,Shelter,Evacuate,Relocate,Average annual radiation dose is 0.5 rem per year A typical single medical x-ray dose is around 1 rem,There are guidelines for first responder entry, sheltering, evacuating, and relocating people.,Response
25、to a Radiological Event,Identify presence of radiation beyond normal background Isolate and contain affected area - mitigate spread of contamination Shelter-in-place or evacuate depending on dose rates Provide needed immediate medical treatment,“An emergency system thats dusted off and used only during a rare event isnt going to work.”- Tara OToole, Johns Hopkins,
