In case you were wonderin' when I'd get to it, here's a story on the biological and chemical threat. I will cover the nuke angle in a few days.
But, for now, and this may come as a complete surprise to you, terrorists can acquire Biological Agents in a number of ways: by stealing them from a legitimate existing facility, by buying them from a black market source or from legitimate sources; or receiving them from a "friendly" foreign nation. Chemical Agents can be acquired by a terrorist group by manufacturing agents on their own; making direct use of commercially available poisons; stealing chemical munitions or receiving ready-made agents from a state sponsor.
Anyway, read carefully, unerschrocken; there may be a test, a pop quiz, on this material.
Indicators of the Manufacturing of B/C Agents
You may come across information that could indicate that a group has or is interested in establishing a B/C manufacturing capability. The following is a list of resources that a terrorist may have in place or attempt to acquire in order to make and deploy B/C weapons:
- Subject related text books
- University trained persons in the areas of
- biology and chemistry (in particular, organic chemistry, microbiology, aero biology, pathology and genetics)
- Raw materials
- Bacteria seed cultures
- Typical lab equipment
- beakers
- reflux apparatus
- centrifuge
- petri dishes with culture medium such as powdered baby formula
- stirring apparatus
- fume hoods
- etc
- Improvised synthesis/culture equipment
- home brewing equipment
- egg incubators
- yogurt makers
- etc
- Test animals for determination of agent toxicity
- Personal safety equipment
- rubber gloves
- gas masks
- protective coveralls
- self-contained breathing apparatus
- syringes w/antidotes
- etc
- Spray devices, improvised device components to disperse B/C agents.
B/C Agent Detection: Chemical agents are primarily detected by the senses:
- Irritation of eyes, nose, throat, skin
- Headache, dizziness, nausea
- Difficulty with or increased rate of breathing
- A feeling of choking or tightness in the throat or chest
- Strange or unusual odors
- Strange flavors in food or water
Biological agents include both living microorganisms (bacteria, protozoa, viruses and fungi), and toxins produced by organisms, plants or animals. These agents may be lethal or cause illness in varying degrees when persons are exposed to very small quantities; the onset of symptoms may be delayed for days or even weeks.
Characteristics of Biological Incidents or Attacks
- Unusual Number of Sick or Dying People
- Any number of symptoms may occur.
- Hospitals and doctors would more likely become aware of these indicators than the average citizen.
- It would be the responsibility of the hospital or doctor to inform the proper authorities.
- Abandoned Spray Devices
- To carry out a large-scale B/C attack, terrorists may use aerosol dispersal devices normally used in the pest control industry.
- Such devices are required to be secured in a particular way. They cannot be left in an alley, next to a tree at the park or any other unsecured place. If you see any such device that appears to be abandoned, don’t touch it. Try to keep others away from it and upwind of it and report it ASAP.
- Aircraft dropping unidentified material or spraying unidentified substances
- Especially suspicious if done at night and/or over a populated area.
- Unusual bombs or explosions,
- Particularly those with little or no blast and that seem to have no immediate casualty effect
- They pop, as opposed to going boom. This is the easiest and most likely dispersal method. It pops because it is deliberately underpowered: too much explosive fire can destroy biological agents in the detonation and the blast wave from a large explosion can cause too broad a dispersal pattern for both biological and chemical agents for either to have maximum deadly effect.
- Smoke from an unknown source or of an unknown nature.
- An increase in sick or dead animals.
- Not just road-kill, but many animals including pets.
- Imagine a whole line of birds on a wire dropping dead to the ground all at one time
- Unusual or unexplained increase in the number of insects.
- Bugs tend to be hardier than humans when it comes to reacting to chemicals. Often they are driven from an area where insecticide has been applied, rather than being killed by it.
- A large number of insects moving away from an area may indicate that a chemical was applied to the area they were once in.
- From another perspective, if you are aware of a certain insect activity on your property or around you and it suddenly ceases, all of the insects die, that could also be an indicator of chemical agents having been dispersed.
- Suspicious liquids or solids on the ground or on vegetation.
- Strange taste in the water.
- Suspicious odors.
Immediate Action for Biological Aerosols or Sprays
If shelter is near: Sound an alarm to let other people in the immediate area know what is happening. Stop breathing; you don't want to be inhaling any of this stuff. Move away from the material. If possible, get inside a building, a vehicle or under some cover ASAP. Once inside, close all windows, shut down all AC and ventilation. Seal doors and windows with duct tape if possible. Yea, I know there was a lot of ridicule about the duct tape thing for while after 9-11, but you know something? Those who suggested it were and are right. What kills in a B/C attack is the toxicity and the persistence of the agent being used. Toxicity and persistence depend on things you can't control: heat, rain, humidity, time of day or night, wind direction, proximity to point of release. Since the object of the attack would be to kill as many people as possible, will terrorists let you know in advance so you can veto their plan because weather conditions would be optimum for their murderous purposes? No. You'll feel a twinge in your nose one day and suddenly nothing will be the same. So, here's the deal: since you don't know anything about an attack other than that people are trying to kill you, when you get into your home or vehicle as part of fleeing a B/C attack, try to seal the windows. On your home, you don't have to seal them all. Pick one safe room and seal that one. And the door. At your office, there should be a Shelter In Place program in place to protect you. If your work place or business doesn't have an SIP plan, you should. I'll cover that here soon, just in case. Anyway, once sheltered as best you can be, remain calm and in place until EMS directs otherwise. Be alert for symptoms of exposure and seek medical care if symptoms develop.
If you can’t get inside: If you have a protective mask, put it on. You won't have one of those so use some cloth to make a gas mask. Wet it if possible. Cover yourself with plastic or non-permeable material. ASAP, move away, upwind of the movement of the aerosol mist or cloud. Generally, move upwind and uphill of any suspected dispersal area. When you’re sure you’re away from danger, check for symptoms of exposure and get medical treatment if necessary.
If the aerosol is inside with you: Use some cloth to make a protective mask. Wet it if possible. Get out of the enclosed area ASAP. If there appears to be no exit, keep looking or try to make one by breaking out windows and doors. When you get out, strip naked in order to get the contaminated clothing off of you and those around. Wash, decontaminate and get medical evaluation and treatment ASAP.
Chemical agents are man made substances that may cause death or injury to exposed persons. The onset of symptoms is normally very fast (seconds to minutes from exposure), but there are few agents that cause injuries that are not apparent for a couple of hours. There are a number of chemicals that may be used by terrorists including those designed for warfare purposes or for industrial and commercial use.
Characteristics of Chemical Incidents or Attacks
- Dead Animals/Birds/Fish
- Not just an occasional road kill, but numerous animals both wild and domestic, birds and fish in the same area.
- Lack of Insect Life
- If normal insect activity (ground, air or water) is missing, check the ground or bodies of water nearby.
- Blisters/Rashes
- Numerous individuals experiencing unexplained water-like blisters, weals (like bee stings) and/or rashes.
- Mass Casualties
- Health problems including nausea, disorientation, difficulty in breathing, convulsions and death.
- Patterns of Casualties
- Casualties will likely be distributed downwind, or if indoor, by the air ventilation system.
- Unusual Liquid Droplets
- A number of surfaces exhibit oily droplets/film; water surfaces may have an oily film on the surface.
- Dead/Withered Vegetation
- Not just a patch of dead weeds, but trees, shrubs, bushes, food crops and/or lawns that are dead, discolored or withered, without drought conditions.
- Unexplained Odors
- Smells may range from fruity to flowery, sharp/pungent, garlic/ horseradish like bitter almonds, or new mown hay - all smells will be completely out of character for the surroundings.
- Low-lying Clouds
- Low-lying cloud and fog-like condition.
- Unusual Debris
- The presence of liquid on various recovered components of an improvised dispersal device that may include metal from an explosive device, batteries and/or wire.
Immediate Action for Chemical Gases or Vapors
If shelter is near: Sound an alarm. Let other people know what is happening. Stop breathing. Move away from the material, which may be in the form of a cloud. Take cover if a liquid is falling on you, or use clothing to protect your skin from contact with the liquid. Get inside a building or vehicle ASAP. Once inside, close all windows, shut down all AC and ventilation. Seal doors and windows with duct tape if possible. Remember what I said above about duct tape: do it if you're able to get inside. Better to do it unnecessarily than to not do it and die from your stubborness. Remain calm and in place until EMS directs otherwise. Be alert for symptoms of exposure and call 911 if symptoms develop.
If you are in a vehicle: roll up the windows, close all roof openings, and close the ventilation system so external air does not enter, and turn the ventilation system "off". Also, cover your nose and mouth with a folded cloth and breathe through the cloth as you drive away from the gas. Try to seal widows and AC vents with duct tape.
If you can’t get inside: If you are outside, cover your nose and mouth with a folded cloth, breathe through the cloth, and continue to move away from the gas. If you don’t have a protective mask, and you won'tuse some cloth to make a gas mask. Wet it if possible. ASAP, move upwind from the movement of the gaseous vapor, if it’s visible. Generally, move upwind and uphill of any suspected dispersal area. When you’re sure you’re away from danger, check for symptoms of exposure and get medical treatment if necessary.
If the gas is inside with you: Use some cloth to make a protective mask. Wet it if possible. Get out of the enclosed area ASAP. If there appears to be no exit, keep looking or try to make one by breaking out windows and doors. When you get out, strip naked in order to get the contaminated clothing off of you. Wash and decontaminate.
If you get some of the liquid on you: once you are no longer in contact with the source of the liquid, take your clothing off and immediately wash with soap and cool water. First, wash body parts which were not covered with clothing, and then wash your entire body. If soap is not available wash with cool water.
Moving Through a Contaminated Area
- Avoid contaminated areas and pass by/through as rapidly as possible.
- Use all available protective equipment to prevent agents from entering your body.
- When possible, use vehicles and travel upwind of the contaminated area.
- Select routes and rest areas on high ground since chemical agents tend to be heavier than air and settle in low places.
- Avoid cellars, trenches, gullies and other low places where agents may collect.
- Avoid contact with potentially contaminated surfaces, buildings, vehicles, debris, woods, shrubbery, tall grass, and puddles.
- Don’t stir up dust unnecessarily.
That last one's just good advice anytime, don't ya think?
