Term Paper on "Biological and Chemical Weapons Counterterrorism Measures"

Term Paper 5 pages (1445 words) Sources: 5

[EXCERPT] . . . .

While it is not airtight as with level A equipment, Level B equipment prevents materials from seeping into the skin and also includes splash guards. The least protection would be offered at Level D, which only entails specific coverage on body areas such as special boots or gloves. As the Department of State puts it, "there is no "one size fits all" when it comes to describing the types and effects of possible chemical or biological agents," (1). There is also great diversity in the nature of jobs directly dealing with chemical and biological weapons.

The workplace environments of CBRN specialists are therefore comparable to other environments entailing possible or actual contact with hazardous materials. Positions vary widely, including those requiring advanced degrees in chemistry and biology. Thus, salaries would also vary depending on the nature of the work involved. Analysts and technicians alike must be prepared for highly stressful working conditions, which the United States Army outlines. Other jobs in the CBRN and counterterrorism fields include those with federal agencies like FEMA, CDC, the National Academy of Sciences, or the Department of Homeland Security, including positions related to counterterrorism detection and less direct contact with hazardous materials.

The threat of chemical and biological weapons has been ongoing and will continue to be, especially as it is known that terrorist organizations like ISIS may include these types of weapons in their arsenals. The video on the following website demonstrates the immediate threat of chemical and biological weapons:

One of the challenges of chemical and biological weapon countermeasures is the sheer diversity and range of these materials. Another challenge is their affordability and relative ease of implementation, especially compared with the level of destruction and devastation they can cause. Viral agents, for example, need only be slowly introduced into a mosquito population and over time, can create epidemic diseases that not only kill millions but also impede economic and political stability. Some chemical agents are widely available because they are used in industry. A third key challenge is the relatively low level of knowledge needed to wield such weapons; as Morgan points out, an advanced chemistry degree is barely necessary for most biological or chemical attacks. Counterterrorism, on the other hand, usually involves a much higher degree of knowledge and experience as once a biological and chemical weapon has been used, minimizing damage and providing public health and safety responses can be challenging. The following chart demonstrates some of the ways countermeasures can be coordinated:

Chemists, health care workers, first responders, law enforcement, security analysts, and policy makers alike need to work together to identify the most likely threats, mitigate those threats via improved national security, and develop highly coordinated response mechanisms. Current policy reflects the desire for anti-proliferation and trans-national counterterrorism.

References

Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). "Managing the Emergency Consequences of Terrorist Incidents." Retrieved online: https://www.fema.gov/pdf/plan/managingemerconseq.pdf

Khan, Ali S. and Sage, Michael J. "Biological and Chemical Terrorism:Strategic Plan for Preparedness and Response." CDC. 2000. Retrieved online: https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/rr4904a1.htm

Morgan, Stephen L. "Chemical Warfare: History and Chemistry." Retrieved online: http://www.chem.sc.edu/faculty/morgan/resources/cw/cw.pdf

National Academy of Sciences. "Chemical and Biological Terrorism: Research and Development to Improve Civilian Medical Response." Retrieved online: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK230676/

United States Army. Careers and jobs. Retrieved online: http://www.goarmy.com/careers-and-jobs/browse-career-and-job-categories/intelligence-and-combat-support/chemical-biological-radiological-and-nuclear-specialist.html

United States Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. "The Public Health Response to Biological and Chemical Terrorism." July 2001. Retrieved online: https://emergency.cdc.gov/Documents/Planning/PlanningGuidance.PDF

United States Department of Homeland Security "Biological Attack Fact Sheet: Human Pathogens, Biotoxins, and Agricultural Threats." 2016. Retrieved online: https://www.dhs.gov/publication/biological-attack-fact-sheet

United States Department of Homeland Security. "Biological Security." 2016. Retrieved online: https://www.dhs.gov/topic/biological-security

United States Department of Homeland Security. "Chemical and biological defense division." 2016. Retrieved online: https://www.dhs.gov/science-and-technology/st-cbd

United States Department of Homeland Security. "National Strategy for Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear, and Explosives (CBRNE) Standards." 2016. Retrieved online: https://www.dhs.gov/national-strategy-chemical-biological-radiological-nuclear-and-explosives-cbrne-standards

United States Department of State. Responding to a Biological or Chemical Threat: A Practical Guide. Retrieved online: http://www.state.gov/m/ds/rls/rpt/20214.htm READ MORE

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