Characteristics Of A Biological Or Chemical Attack:

Characteristics Of A Biological Or Chemical Attack: Related Information:

With terrorism posing a constant threat to countries and cities all over the world, the prospect of chemical or biological warfare has become a very real threat to many people. Te production of chemical and biological weapons has become easier and the effects of these weapons can be deadly in administered correctly. Both chemical and biological weapons can result in mass illness or fatalities, and the severity of the effects can depend on a number of factors.

Below you will find an outline of the characteristics of both chemical and biological attacks.

Chemical Attack:

A chemical weapon can employ one or a combination of chemical agents to cause illness and death. The contamination can be administered in a variety of ways, although the most likely is possibly contamination of air through agents used in gas, aerosol or powder form. Depending on how the chemical agents are dispersed, exposure can occur through ingestion, breathing, being absorbed by the skin, and contact with the eyes.

These weapons can be fast acting and extremely toxic, and effects of the agents can include: breathing difficulties, eye irritation, skin abnormalities, nausea, respiratory problems, and chest or abdominal pains. Precise symptoms would depend upon the agent used, and the severity of the symptoms can depend upon the person’s proximity to the contamination.

Other factors that can affect the effectiveness of these weapons include the direction of the wind (in the case of air contamination), the quantity used, the type of agent used, and the area exposed.

The characteristics of likely agents would be those that:

• Survive in the environment for long periods of time
• Cause widespread disease and death
• Have highly toxic levels
• Result in conditions for which the onset of symptoms are fast or immediate
• Can stay active in the environment for long period of time
• Require small doses for maximum effect

In the event of a chemical attack it is vital that you seek immediate shelter to avoid or minimise exposure, as this could threaten your health or your life.

Biological Attack:

Bio-terrorist weapons can also employ one of a number of dangerous or deadly viruses and organisms. Again, these are designed to cause widespread disease and death through contamination of water, food or air. Many of these can be used in aerosol form to contaminate the environment, or failing that could be used to contaminate water supplies. Exposure can occur through breathing, skin contact, ingestion and from person to person.

Biological weapons can prove dangerous or fatal, and the extent of damage can depend on a number of factors including: the biological agent used, how it is dispersed, the quantity dispersed, whether it is infectious, and the area exposed. Symptoms can include skin lesions, eye problems, respiratory failure, internal organ failure, weight loss, fever, vomiting and diarrhoea. The type of biological agent used would determine more precise symptoms.

The biological agents that would most likely be used are those that:

• Survive in the environment for long periods of time
• Cause widespread disease and death
• Have the ability to spread from person to person
• Result in conditions for which the onset of symptoms are fast or immediate
• Can stay active in the environment for long period of time
• Require small doses for maximum effect
• Are easy to deliver
• Are highly potent but not visible