Open AccessChallenges in Disposing of Anthrax Waste
Author(s) -
Ann M. Lesperance,
Steven L. Stein,
Jaki F. Upton,
Christopher Toomey
Publication year - 2011
Publication title -
biosecurity and bioterrorism
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 1557-850X
pISSN - 1538-7135
DOI - 10.1089/bsp.2011.0033
Subject(s) - environmental planning , plan (archaeology) , radiological weapon , business , waste management , emergency management , risk analysis (engineering) , engineering , environmental science , political science , geography , medicine , archaeology , radiology , law
Disasters often create large amounts of waste that must be managed as part of both immediate response and long-term recovery. While many federal, state, and local agencies have debris management plans, these plans often do not address chemical, biological, and radiological contamination. The Interagency Biological Restoration Demonstration's (IBRD) purpose was to holistically assess all aspects of an anthrax incident and assist in the development of a plan for long-term recovery. In the case of wide-area anthrax contamination and the follow-on response and recovery activities, a significant amount of material would require decontamination and disposal. Accordingly, IBRD facilitated the development of debris management plans to address contaminated waste through a series of interviews and workshops with local, state, and federal representatives. The outcome of these discussions was the identification of 3 primary topical areas that must be addressed: planning, unresolved research questions, and resolving regulatory issues.