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Environmental response to intentional dissemination of Bacillus anthracis spores in the United States–2001
Author(s) -
Barth Edwin,
Rupert Richard,
Stroud Fred,
Rice Eugene,
Potoka Bruce
Publication year - 2003
Publication title -
remediation journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.762
H-Index - 27
eISSN - 1520-6831
pISSN - 1051-5658
DOI - 10.1002/rem.10078
Subject(s) - bacillus anthracis , homeland security , biological warfare , government (linguistics) , environmental health , terrorism , public health , preparedness , business , biodefense , information dissemination , environmental planning , political science , public relations , medicine , biology , geography , microbiology and biotechnology , law , linguistics , philosophy , genetics , nursing , bacteria , world wide web , computer science
The intentional dissemination of Bacillus anthracis (anthrax) spores at multiplelocations in the United States in the fall of 2001 resulted not only in several deaths and illnesses(including psychological effects), but likely changed lifestyles and attitudes, and increased thepublic's awareness of individual vulnerability. While federal resources had previously been committed topreparing local public health agencies for counter‐terrorism activities and to enhance environmental andmedical response, these release episodes have increased the consistency of environmental and medical responseactivities, and increased government resources for homeland security. This article abstracts current informationfrom many sources that summarize the environmental responses to the anthrax releases. The article discusses theinternational agreements and the U.S. regulations concerning biological weapons, the characteristics of theanthrax organism, potential exposure pathways, adverse health conditions resulting from inhalation exposure, theenvironmental response to two specific release episodes, environmental sampling and analytical procedures,recommended personal protective equipment, and the subsequent federal efforts to improve response capabilities.© 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.