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Simulation Modeling of Anthrax Spore Dispersion in a Bioterrorism Incident
Author(s) -
Reshetin Vladimir P.,
Regens James L.
Publication year - 2003
Publication title -
risk analysis
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.972
H-Index - 130
eISSN - 1539-6924
pISSN - 0272-4332
DOI - 10.1111/j.0272-4332.2003.00387.x
Subject(s) - bacillus anthracis , terrorism , spore , dispersion (optics) , biological warfare , poison control , environmental science , computer security , meteorology , environmental health , computer science , geography , physics , microbiology and biotechnology , biology , medicine , toxicology , optics , archaeology , genetics , bacteria
Recent events have increased awareness of the risk posed by terrorist attacks. Bacillus anthracis has resurfaced in the 21st century as a deadly agent of bioterrorism because of its potential for causing massive civilian casualties. This analysis presents the results of a computer simulation of the dispersion of anthrax spores in a typical 50‐story, high‐rise building after an intentional release during a bioterrorist incident. The model simulates aerosol dispersion in the case of intensive, small‐scale convection, which equalizes the concentration of anthrax spores over the building volume. The model can be used to predict the time interval required for spore dispersion throughout a building after a terrorist attack in a high‐rise building. The analysis reveals that an aerosol release of even a relatively small volume of anthrax spores during a terrorist incident has the potential to quickly distribute concentrations that are infectious throughout the building.