Health Aspects of Biological and Chemical Weapons
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The Microscopic Threat to the United States: Biological Weapons, Biological Terrorism, and Their Multifaceted Implications for U.S
“THE MICROSCOPIC THREAT TO THE UNITED STATES: BIOLOGICAL WEAPONS, BIOLOGICAL TERRORISM, AND THEIR MULTIFACETED IMPLICATIONS FOR U.S. SECURITY” by Angelina Camacho A thesis submitted to Johns Hopkins University in conformity with the requirements for the degree of Master of Arts in Global Security Studies Baltimore, Maryland May, 2014 © 2014 Angelina Camacho All Rights Reserved ABSTRACT From 1943 to 1969 the United States had a thriving biological weapons program to develop new ways of targeting its adversaries. With the 1972 creation of the Biological Weapons Convention, the United States relinquished its program and sought to prevent other countries from possessing these lethal weapons. While previously the United States mainly worked with other states and the international community to minimize the threat from biological weapons, the 2001 anthrax attacks changed this landscape by adding a domestic dimension. This thesis explores three major aspects of the biological threat to the United States: domestic lone wolf actors, possible future state threats, and the failing aspects of the Biological Weapons Convention. An analysis of each aspect of the biological threat is performed to identify the role they each may play in future U.S. security decisions. Among the multitude of threats that can arise from biological terrorism and weapons, these particular threats are the most likely to shape future U.S. decision making, both domestically and at the international level. Through an analysis of a specific aspect of the biological threat towards the United States, each chapter illustrates the biological threat to the United States is real, menacing, and must be addressed for the future of U.S. -
Copyrighted Material
1 Historical Milieu 1.1 Organophosphorus Nerve Agents 2 1.2 Blister Agents 5 1.3 Sternutator Agents 11 1.4 Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC) 13 1.4.1 Schedule of Chemicals 14 1.4.2 Destruction of Chemical Weapons 14 References 16 COPYRIGHTED MATERIAL Analysis of Chemical Warfare Degradation Products, First Edition. Karolin K. Kroening, Renee N. Easter, Douglas D. Richardson, Stuart A. Willison and Joseph A. Caruso. © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. Published 2011 by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. 2 ANALYSIS OF CHEMICAL WARFARE DEGRADATION PRODUCTS 1.1 ORGANOPHOSPHORUS NERVE AGENTS Organophosphorus (OP) type compounds, that is, deriva- tives containing the P=O moiety, were first discovered in the 1800s when researchers were investigating useful applica- tions for insecticides/rodenticides. There are many derivatives of organophosphorus compounds, however, the OP deriva- tives that are typically known as ‘nerve agents’ were discov- ered accidentally in Germany in 1936 by a research team led by Dr. Gerhard Schrader at IG Farben [1–4]. Schrader had noticed the effects and lethality of these organophosphorus compounds towards insects and began developing a new class of insecticides. While working towards the goal of an improved insecticide, Schrader experimented with numerous phosphorus-containing compounds, leading to the discovery of the first nerve agent, Tabun (or GA) (Figure 1.1). The potency of these insecticides towards humans was not realized until there was yet another accident, which involved a Tabun spill. Schrader and coworkers began experiencing symptoms, such as miosis (constriction of the pupils of the eyes), dizziness and severe shortness of breath, with numerous effects lasting several weeks [1, 4, 5]. -
Critical Evaluation of Proven Chemical Weapon Destruction Technologies
Pure Appl. Chem., Vol. 74, No. 2, pp. 187–316, 2002. © 2002 IUPAC INTERNATIONAL UNION OF PURE AND APPLIED CHEMISTRY ORGANIC AND BIOMOLECULAR CHEMISTRY DIVISION IUPAC COMMITTEE ON CHEMICAL WEAPON DESTRUCTION TECHNOLOGIES* WORKING PARTY ON EVALUATION OF CHEMICAL WEAPON DESTRUCTION TECHNOLOGIES** CRITICAL EVALUATION OF PROVEN CHEMICAL WEAPON DESTRUCTION TECHNOLOGIES (IUPAC Technical Report) Prepared for publication by GRAHAM S. PEARSON1,‡ AND RICHARD S. MAGEE2 1Department of Peace Studies, University of Bradford, Bradford, West Yorkshire BD7 1DP, UK 2Carmagen Engineering, Inc., 4 West Main Street, Rockaway, NJ 07866, USA *Membership of the IUPAC Committee is: Chairman: Joseph F. Burnett; Members: Wataru Ando (Japan), Irina P. Beletskaya (Russia), Hongmei Deng (China), H. Dupont Durst (USA), Daniel Froment (France), Ralph Leslie (Australia), Ronald G. Manley (UK), Blaine C. McKusick (USA), Marian M. Mikolajczyk (Poland), Giorgio Modena (Italy), Walter Mulbry (USA), Graham S. Pearson (UK), Kurt Schaffner (Germany). **Membership of the Working Group was as follows: Chairman: Graham S. Pearson (UK); Members: Richard S. Magee (USA), Herbert de Bisschop (Belgium). The Working Group wishes to acknowledge the contributions made by the following, although the conclusions and contents of the Technical Report remain the responsibility of the Working Group: Joseph F. Bunnett (USA), Charles Baronian (USA), Ron G. Manley (OPCW), Georgio Modena (Italy), G. P. Moss (UK), George W. Parshall (USA), Julian Perry Robinson (UK), and Volker Starrock (Germany). ‡Corresponding author Republication or reproduction of this report or its storage and/or dissemination by electronic means is permitted without the need for formal IUPAC permission on condition that an acknowledgment, with full reference to the source, along with use of the copyright symbol ©, the name IUPAC, and the year of publication, are prominently visible. -
Medical Management of Biological Casualties Handbook
USAMRIID’s MEDICAL MANAGEMENT OF BIOLOGICAL CASUALTIES HANDBOOK Sixth Edition April 2005 U.S. ARMY MEDICAL RESEARCH INSTITUTE OF INFECTIOUS DISEASES FORT DETRICK FREDERICK, MARYLAND Emergency Response Numbers National Response Center: 1-800-424-8802 or (for chem/bio hazards & terrorist events) 1-202-267-2675 National Domestic Preparedness Office: 1-202-324-9025 (for civilian use) Domestic Preparedness Chem/Bio Helpline: 1-410-436-4484 or (Edgewood Ops Center – for military use) DSN 584-4484 USAMRIID’s Emergency Response Line: 1-888-872-7443 CDC'S Emergency Response Line: 1-770-488-7100 Handbook Download Site An Adobe Acrobat Reader (pdf file) version of this handbook can be downloaded from the internet at the following url: http://www.usamriid.army.mil USAMRIID’s MEDICAL MANAGEMENT OF BIOLOGICAL CASUALTIES HANDBOOK Sixth Edition April 2005 Lead Editor Lt Col Jon B. Woods, MC, USAF Contributing Editors CAPT Robert G. Darling, MC, USN LTC Zygmunt F. Dembek, MS, USAR Lt Col Bridget K. Carr, MSC, USAF COL Ted J. Cieslak, MC, USA LCDR James V. Lawler, MC, USN MAJ Anthony C. Littrell, MC, USA LTC Mark G. Kortepeter, MC, USA LTC Nelson W. Rebert, MS, USA LTC Scott A. Stanek, MC, USA COL James W. Martin, MC, USA Comments and suggestions are appreciated and should be addressed to: Operational Medicine Department Attn: MCMR-UIM-O U.S. Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases (USAMRIID) Fort Detrick, Maryland 21702-5011 PREFACE TO THE SIXTH EDITION The Medical Management of Biological Casualties Handbook, which has become affectionately known as the "Blue Book," has been enormously successful - far beyond our expectations. -
Nerve Agent - Lntellipedia Page 1 Of9 Doc ID : 6637155 (U) Nerve Agent
This document is made available through the declassification efforts and research of John Greenewald, Jr., creator of: The Black Vault The Black Vault is the largest online Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) document clearinghouse in the world. The research efforts here are responsible for the declassification of MILLIONS of pages released by the U.S. Government & Military. Discover the Truth at: http://www.theblackvault.com Nerve Agent - lntellipedia Page 1 of9 Doc ID : 6637155 (U) Nerve Agent UNCLASSIFIED From lntellipedia Nerve Agents (also known as nerve gases, though these chemicals are liquid at room temperature) are a class of phosphorus-containing organic chemicals (organophosphates) that disrupt the mechanism by which nerves transfer messages to organs. The disruption is caused by blocking acetylcholinesterase, an enzyme that normally relaxes the activity of acetylcholine, a neurotransmitter. ...--------- --- -·---- - --- -·-- --- --- Contents • 1 Overview • 2 Biological Effects • 2.1 Mechanism of Action • 2.2 Antidotes • 3 Classes • 3.1 G-Series • 3.2 V-Series • 3.3 Novichok Agents • 3.4 Insecticides • 4 History • 4.1 The Discovery ofNerve Agents • 4.2 The Nazi Mass Production ofTabun • 4.3 Nerve Agents in Nazi Germany • 4.4 The Secret Gets Out • 4.5 Since World War II • 4.6 Ocean Disposal of Chemical Weapons • 5 Popular Culture • 6 References and External Links --------------- ----·-- - Overview As chemical weapons, they are classified as weapons of mass destruction by the United Nations according to UN Resolution 687, and their production and stockpiling was outlawed by the Chemical Weapons Convention of 1993; the Chemical Weapons Convention officially took effect on April 291997. Poisoning by a nerve agent leads to contraction of pupils, profuse salivation, convulsions, involuntary urination and defecation, and eventual death by asphyxiation as control is lost over respiratory muscles. -
A Toxicological Review of the Products of Combustion
HPA-CHaPD-004 A Toxicological Review of the Products of Combustion J C Wakefield ABSTRACT The Chemical Hazards and Poisons Division (CHaPD) is frequently required to advise on the health effects arising from incidents due to fires. The purpose of this review is to consider the toxicity of combustion products. Following smoke inhalation, toxicity may result either from thermal injury, or from the toxic effects of substances present. This review considers only the latter, and not thermal injury, and aims to identify generalisations which may be made regarding the toxicity of common products present in fire smoke, with respect to the combustion conditions (temperature, oxygen availability, etc.), focusing largely on the adverse health effects to humans following acute exposure to these chemicals in smoke. The prediction of toxic combustion products is a complex area and there is the potential for generation of a huge range of pyrolysis products depending on the nature of the fire and the conditions of burning. Although each fire will have individual characteristics and will ultimately need to be considered on a case by case basis there are commonalities, particularly with regard to the most important components relating to toxicity. © Health Protection Agency Approval: February 2010 Centre for Radiation, Chemical and Environmental Hazards Publication: February 2010 Chemical Hazards and Poisons Division £15.00 Chilton, Didcot, Oxfordshire OX11 0RQ ISBN 978-0-85951- 663-1 This report from HPA Chemical Hazards and Poisons Division reflects understanding and evaluation of the current scientific evidence as presented and referenced in this document. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY The Chemical Hazards and Poisons Division (CHaPD) is frequently required to advise on the health effects arising from incidents due to fires. -
Modern Chemical Weapons
Modern Chemical Weapons Modern Chemical Weapons causes serious diseases like cancer and serious birth defects in newly born Large scale chemical weapons were children. first used in World War One and have been used ever since. About 100 years ago Modern warfare has developed significantly since the early 20th century Early chemical weapons being used but the use of toxic chemicals to kill around a hundred years ago included: and badly injure is still very much in use tear gas, chlorine gas, mustard gas today. There have been reports of and phosgene gas. Since then, some chemical weapon attacks in Syria of the same chemicals have been during 2016. Chemical weapons have used in more modern warfare, but also been the choice of terrorists other new chemical weapons have because they are not very expensive also been developed. and need very little specialist knowledge to use them. These Chlorine gas (Cl2) weapons can cause a lot of causalities as well as fatalities, but also There have been reports of many spread panic and fear. chlorine gas attacks in Syria since 2013. It is a yellow-green gas which has a very distinctive smell like bleach. However, it does not last very long and therefore it is sometimes very difficult to prove it has been used during an attack. Victims would feel irritation of the eyes, nose, throat and lungs when they inhale it in large enough quantities. In even larger quantities it can cause the death of a person by suffocation. Mustard gas (C4H8Cl2S) There are reports by the United Nations (UN) of terrorist groups using Mustard Agent Orange (mixture of gas during chemical attacks in Syria. -
Epidemiological Findings of Major Chemical Attacks in the Syrian War Are Consistent with Civilian Targeting: a Short Report Jose M
Rodriguez-Llanes et al. Conflict and Health (2018) 12:16 https://doi.org/10.1186/s13031-018-0150-4 SHORTREPORT Open Access Epidemiological findings of major chemical attacks in the Syrian war are consistent with civilian targeting: a short report Jose M. Rodriguez-Llanes1, Debarati Guha-Sapir2 , Benjamin-Samuel Schlüter2 and Madelyn Hsiao-Rei Hicks3* Abstract Evidence of use of toxic gas chemical weapons in the Syrian war has been reported by governmental and non-governmental international organizations since the war started in March 2011. To date, the profiles of victims of the largest chemical attacks in Syria remain unknown. In this study, we used descriptive epidemiological analysis to describe demographic characteristics of victims of the largest chemical weapons attacks in the Syrian war. We analysed conflict-related, direct deaths from chemical weapons recorded in non-government-controlled areas by the Violation Documentation Center, occurring from March 18, 2011 to April 10, 2017, with complete information on the victim’s date and place of death, cause and demographic group. ‘Major’ chemical weapons events were defined as events causing ten or more direct deaths. As of April 10, 2017, a total of 1206 direct deaths meeting inclusion criteria were recorded in the dataset from all chemical weapons attacks regardless of size. Five major chemical weapons attacks caused 1084 of these documented deaths. Civilians comprised the majority (n = 1058, 97.6%) of direct deaths from major chemical weapons attacks in Syria and combatants comprised a minority of 2.4% (n = 26). In the first three major chemical weapons attacks, which occurred in 2013, children comprised 13%–14% of direct deaths, ranging in numbers from 2 deaths among 14 to 117 deaths among 923. -
Argonne Report.Pdf
CONTENTS NOTATION ........................................................................................................................... xi ABSTRACT ........................................................................................................................... 1 1 INTRODUCTION ........................................................................................................... 5 1.1 Overview of the Emergency Response Guidebook ................................................ 5 1.2 Organization of this Report ..................................................................................... 7 2 GENERAL METHODOLOGY ....................................................................................... 9 2.1 TIH List ................................................................................................................... 10 2.1.1 Background ................................................................................................. 10 2.1.2 Changes in the TIH List for the ERG2012 ................................................. 11 2.2 Shipment and Release Scenarios ............................................................................ 11 2.2.1 Shipment Profiles ........................................................................................ 12 2.2.2 Treatment of Chemical Agents ................................................................... 14 2.3 Generics, Mixtures, and Solutions .......................................................................... 17 2.4 Analysis of Water-Reactive -
Technical Note 159 Chemical Warfare Agent Measurements By
Technical Note TN-159 03/06/WH CHEMICAL WARFARE AGENT MEASUREMENTS BY PID INTRODUCTION nerve agents at these levels. However, it can locate sources and Many chemical warfare agents, including nerve agents and related detect the agents at levels well below levels that are lethal in one compounds, can be detected by PID. Table 1 lists some common minute (see LCy 50 in table 1). Compounds with low vapor pressures agents and several of their physical properties and PID Correction tend to respond more slowly on the PID, in some cases requiring Factors (CF). The CF is used by calibrating the instrument with several minutes. In the case of VX, the lethal dose is above its vapor isobutylene, and then multiplying the reading by the CF to obtain the pressure at room temperature. There fore, the lethal one-minute true concentration. (See Technical Note TN-106 for full details.) dose can be attained only if the air is hot or the chemical is sprayed as an aerosol. At the maximum concentration, more than one- DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS minute exposure is required for lethal effects. All the warfare agents listed in Table 1 can be detected with a 10.6 Table 2 shows that many of the common decomposition products eV lamp, except phosgene, which requires an 11.7 eV lamp, and of aged warfare agents can also bedetected by PID. These are HCN and ClCN, which cannot be detected by PID. often more volatile than the agent itself (especially for VX) and thus VX has inherent sensitivity, but it is too heavy a compound to get the products serve as a more easily detectable surrogate than the to the PID sensor and thus cannot be reliably measured. -
Agricultural Bioterrorism
From the pages of Recent titles Agricultural Bioterrorism: A Federal Strategy to Meet the Threat Agricultural in the McNair MCNAIR PAPER 65 Bioterrorism: Paper series: A Federal Strategy to Meet the Threat 64 The United States ignores the The Strategic Implications of a Nuclear-Armed Iran Agricultural potential for agricultural bioter- Kori N. Schake and rorism at its peril. The relative Judith S. Yaphe Bioterrorism: ease of a catastrophic bio- weapons attack against the 63 A Federal Strategy American food and agriculture All Possible Wars? infrastructure, and the devastat- Toward a Consensus View of the Future Security to Meet the Threat ing economic and social conse- Environment, 2001–2025 quences of such an act, demand Sam J. Tangredi that the Nation pursue an aggres- sive, focused, coordinated, and 62 stand-alone national strategy to The Revenge of the Melians: Asymmetric combat agricultural bioterrorism. Threats and the Next QDR The strategy should build on Kenneth F. McKenzie, Jr. counterterrorism initiatives already underway; leverage exist- 61 ing Federal, state, and local pro- Illuminating HENRY S. PARKER grams and capabilities; and Tomorrow’s War Martin C. Libicki involve key customers, stake- PARKER holders, and partners. The U.S. 60 Department of Agriculture The Revolution in should lead the development of Military Affairs: this strategy. Allied Perspectives Robbin F. Laird and Holger H. Mey Institute for National Strategic Studies National Defense University About the Author NATIONAL DEFENSE UNIVERSITY President: Vice Admiral Paul G. Gaffney II, USN Henry S. Parker is National Program Leader for Aquaculture at the Vice President: Ambassador Robin Lynn Raphel Agricultural Research Service in the U.S. -
Medical Aspects of Chemical Warfare
Medical Diagnostics Chapter 22 MEDICAL DIAGNOSTICS † ‡ § BENEDICT R. CAPACIO, PHD*; J. RICHARD SMITH ; RICHARD K. GORDON, PHD ; JULIAN R. HAIGH, PHD ; JOHN ¥ ¶ R. BARR, PHD ; AND GENNADY E. PLATOFF JR, PHD INTRODUCTION NERVE AGENTS SULFUR MUSTARD LEWISITE CYANIDE PHOSGENE 3-QUINUCLIDINYL BENZILATE SAMPLE CONSIDERATIONS Summary * Chief, Medical Diagnostic and Chemical Branch, Analytical Toxicology Division, US Army Medical Research Institute of Chemical Defense, 3100 Rickets Point Road, Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland 21010-5400 † Chemist, Medical Diagnostic and Chemical Branch, Analytical Toxicology Division, US Army Medical Research Institute of Chemical Defense, 3100 Rickets Point Road, Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland 21010-5400 ‡ Chief, Department of Biochemical Pharmacology, Biochemistry Division, Walter Reed Army Institute of Research, 503 Robert Grant Road, Silver Spring, Maryland 20910-7500 § Research Scientist, Department of Biochemical Pharmacology, Biochemistry Division, Walter Reed Army Institute of Research, 503 Robert Grant Road, Silver Spring, Maryland 20910-7500 ¥ Lead Research Chemist, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 4770 Buford Highway, Mailstop F47, Atlanta, Georgia 30341 ¶ Colonel, US Army (Retired); Scientific Advisor, Office of Biodefense Research, National Institute of Allergies and Infectious Disease, National Institutes of Health, 6610 Rockledge Drive, Room 4069, Bethesda, Maryland 20892-6612 691 Medical Aspects of Chemical Warfare INTRODUCTION In the past, issues associated with chemical war- an