NCJ Number
178809
Journal
Journal of Counterterrorism & Security International Volume: 6 Issue: 1 Dated: 1999 Pages: 24-30
Date Published
1999
Length
6 pages
Annotation
In many contemporary scenarios, counter-terrorist (CT) teams will be faced with operating in areas that may be contaminated with chemical-biological agents.
Abstract
Knowing what incident indicators to look for, protective actions to take, and who to call for assistance with operations in the contaminated area will be of equal or greater value than having a well-equipped CT team. The CT team needs to understand the different requirements for operating in a chemical-biological environment. The CT must also consider existing resources when responding to a terrorist incident. Some of the types of personal protective equipment already in use by response teams for conventional hazardous material exposure are adequate for potential exposure to chemical agents. Most chemical agents are believed to have ionization potentials of less than 10.6 eV, and a photo-ionization detector can probably be used to detect many agents. Some chemical agents, however, are manufactured with a flammable carrier solvent, and a combustible gas indicator should be able to detect the material. Types of personal protective equipment available for use by CT teams are described, with emphasis on suits, boots, gloves, and breathing protection equipment. The author notes acquiring the necessary equipment by CT teams may be expensive and involve significant long-term operating and maintenance costs. 2 photographs