CBRNE Flashcards
what is meant by protection in security and safety?
Measures taken to guard against crime, attack, espionage, sabotage
Measures to guard against accidents to protect people, infrastructure and organisations against damage
What is meant by resilience?
ability of a system to return to standard operations after a negative impact
Resilience as “the process of adapting well in the face of adversity, trauma, tragedy, threats or even significant sources of stress.
Important to specify whether resilience is being viewed as a trait, a process, or an outcome.
ChemBio Agent spectrum
Classical chemical warfare agents
Industrial and other chemicals
Bioregulators
Bio Toxins
Genetically modified biologicals
Traditional bio warfare agents
Why was WWI a turning point for chemical weapons?
- both sides used chlorine on a large scale
- Trench Warfare
- Limits on salt peter by british caused other countries to innovate
What is the Geneva convention?
1925 international agreement to prohibit the use of gases and biological methods on the battelefield
CWC - What happened in 1968?
CW anbd BW were split into two groups for independant agreement on the uses
CWC - 1990?
US - Soviet Union CW accord - destruction and non production of chemical weapons. agreed to destroy most of stockpiles and refrain from production.
CWC - 1993?
Paris signing of the Chemical weapon convention on 13 Jan
CWC - 1997?
Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) was set up to act as the regulators of the CWC.
How many countries involved in CWC?
193 ratified the convention
1 has signed but not ratified - Israel
3 not signed or ratified - Egypt, North Korea, South Sudan
CWC “Chemicals”
Classical warfare agents
nerve agents
Industrial and other chemicals
central nervous system acting chemicals
CWC “Mid Spectrum Agents”
Bioregultors| Bio toxins
CWC “Agents of biological origin”
Bioregultors
bio toxins
Genetically Modified biologicals
Trad biowarfare agents
CWC “Poisons”
Classical chemical warfare agents
Industrial and other chemicals
Bioregulators
Bio Toxins
BTWC Article 1 agents
Bioregulators
Bio Toxins
Genetically modified biologicals
Tradition bio warfare agents
CWC Article 2 agents
Classical chem warfare
Industrial and other uses
Bioregulators
Bio Toxins
CWC article 1 prohibits/requires?
prohibits development, production, transfer and use of CW
Requires destruction of CWs, production facilities
must not assist/encourage other nations
What is BTWC?
Biological and Toxins Weapons Convention
BTWC Article 2
Classical warfare agents
Industrial and other chemicals
Bioregulators
Bio Toxins
what happened in 1972?
BTWC was created
NAD?
Natural, Accidental and Deliberate
Natural?
Truly natural causes eg disease - black death, 1918 flu
NAtech
Natural event that leads to a technical issue, eg Fukishima (2011) - Tsunami leading to nuclear meltdown
Accident
happening by chance, unexpectedly or unintentionally e.g. Deepwater Horizon (2010) - a blowout caused an explosion on the rig that killed 11 crewmen
Deliberate
crime, war, terrorism, sabotage etc - Ukraine (2022)
Deliberate Chem
Sarin on Japanese underground - 1995 - Killed 13, 54 severly injured over 5000 sought medical assistance - 10% ambulance staff and 110 hospital staff effected
2018 Novichock of Skripals - Salisbuty - Attempted assasination of exiled russian spy sergey and his daughter. Death of UK national due to discarded perfume bottle.
Deliberate Bio
2001 - Anthrax letters - Killed 5 and infected 17 others
1978 - Markov ricin pellet
1994 - Dalles Orgeon 1984 - Food poisoning of 751 individuals due to deliberate contamination of salad bars @ 10 restaurants with salmonella - Ranjeeshee cult wanted to stop people voting in a local election - Only found out when a cult member admitted a few years later
Deliberate radiological
2006 - Litvinenko - Po 210 - half life 138 days
Deliberate nuclear
little boy - uranium gun-type
fat man - plutonium implosion
Accidental Chem
Bhopal - methyl isocyanate - 1984 - approx 4,000 dead, 700,000 affected
Accidental Bio
2001 - foot and mouth - £8bn
Pigs fed untreated waste
Accidental radiological
Radium Girls - 1917-1926 - Painting dials on clocks with radium infused paint. Pointed brushes with lips. Suffered anemia and necrosis of jaw. unknown amount of deaths, 4000 workers affected
Accidental nuclear
1986 - Chernobyl - Local towns evacuated after a test on one of the reactors caused technicians to remove control rods causing nuclear meltdown. 31 dead and 4-100K additional cancer deaths
Accidental explosive
Beirut 2020
a large amount of ammonium nitrate stored at the Port of Beirut in the capital city of Lebanon exploded, causing at least 218 deaths, 6,500 injuries, and US$15 billion in property damage, as well as leaving an estimated 300,000 people homeless
Natural Chemical
Derbyshire Neck Goitre Iodine deficient in soils fixed with Iodised Salt
Natural Biological
Black Plague - 75 - 200m death toll - Fleas carried by rodents vector
Spanish Flu - 50-100m deaths
Natural Radiological
Cosmic Radiation - Earth bombarded by stream of radiation
Terrestrial - radioactive materials exist naturally in rocks and soil e.g.Radon
Define safety
the condition of being protected from or unlikely to cause danger, risk, or injury.
Define Security
the state of being free from danger or threat.
Guard against the loss of life?
Maintain the normal state of society?
Whatever that is
Protect the vital machinery of the society?
The Critical National Infrastructure
Mitigate the risks
Protect societal ideals
Define threat
Is what we try to protect against:
- A statement of an intention to inflict pain, injury, damage, or other hostile action on someone in retribution for something done or not done.
- A person or thing likely to cause damage or danger.
- Anything that can exploit a vulnerability, intentionally or accidentally, and obtain,damage, or destroy an asset.
Define vulnerability
A vulnerability is a weakness or gap in our protection efforts.
- The degree of loss resulting from the occurrence of the phenomenon.
- Weaknesses or gaps in a security programme that can be exploited by threats to gain unauthorized access to an asset.
Define Risk
A situation involving exposure to danger.
The potential for loss, damage or destruction of an asset as a result of a threat exploiting a vulnerability.
Risk is the intersection of assets, threats, and vulnerabilities.
Define Hazard
The probability of occurrence of a potentially damaging phenomenon
What is a risk matrix?
A risk matrix is a matrix that is used during risk assessment to define the level of risk by considering the category of probability or likelihood against the category of consequence
This is a simple mechanism to increase visibility of risks and assist management decision making.
Risk is the lack of certainty about the outcome of making a particular choice.
Axis of risk matrix?
x = likelihood
y = impact
Threat space levels (6)
Cellular
Individual
Groups of individuals
Nation States
Global
Space
What is the balance of security (7)
- Freedom of movement of the individual
- Protection of privacy and personal data ownership
- The presumption of innocence
- The control of risk perception within society
- Implementation costs
- The development of trust between states
- Security practices should be based on evidence not prejudice
Cardinal point specifications - 5 S’s
Specificity
Selectivity
Sensitivity
Speed of response
Stability
Cardinal point specifications - Specificity define
The ability to detect the target analyte and no other
Cardinal Point Specifications - Selectivity define
ability to detect analyte in a sample containing other admixtures and contaminates
Cardinal Point Specifications - sensitivity define
minimum amount of analyte that can be detected with confidence - limit of detection
Cardinal Point Specifications - speed of response
time take to collect, analyse, determine agent of concern and produce a warning
Cardinal Point Specifications - stability define
susceptibility to ambient disturbances in and around detection system - operating parameters eg temperature, humidity, pressure etc
5 R’s
reproducibility
repeatability
reliability
range
resolution
5R’s - reproducibility define
ability to generate 2 identical results for a duplicate setup - precision and accuracy of sensor, ability to produce a mean value close to the true mean value when measured more than once.
5R’s repeatability - define
ability of a sensor to repeat a measurement when put back into same environment
5R’s reliability - define
how it reacts to harsh environments without the need for maintenance
5R’s range - define
max/min distance from sample system needs to work
5R’s resolution
ability to detect small differences
Other factors for sensor choice
Low false positive rate
multi analyte detection
continuous/batch sensing
ease of operations
ease of manufacture
SWAP - size, weight and power
Cost - whole life
Obsolescence
Define nuclear safety
Safety - The fundamental nuclear safety objective is to protect people and the environment from the harmful effects of ionising radiation
a) To control the radiation exposure of people and to prevent the release of radioactive material to the environment;
b) To restrict the likelihood of events that might lead to a loss of control over a nuclear reactor core, nuclear chain reaction, radioactive source or any other source of radiation; and
c) To mitigate the consequences of such events if they were to occur
Define nuclear safeguards,
Safeguards - measures to verify compliance to international obligations not to use nuclear materials for nuclear explosives (non-proliferation treaty)
Define nuclear security,
Security - prevention, detection and response to malicious acts involving or directed at nuclear/radioactive material:
- protect against unauthorised removal
- locate and recover missing material
- protect against sabotage
- mitigate/minimise effects of sabotage
Structures for nuclear security and safety
IAEA - International Atomic Energy Agency
Non Proliferation treaty
GICNT - Global Initiative to Combat Nuclear Terrorism
What is CFR?
case fatality rate
Primary blast injuries
from blast wave, unique to high explosives:
blast lung,
eye rupture
concussion
tympanic membrane rupture and
middle ear damage
secondary blast injuries
fragments penetrating injuries
Tertiary injuries
body being thrown by the blast
traumatic amputation
fractures
brain injury
Quaternary injuries
anything else
burns,
crush injuries
smoke/particle inhalation
angina etc
3 types of explosive
military
commercial
homemade
Legal carriage of explosives?
300 detonators
50kg explosive
Unmarked with safety file with H&S certificates
Characteristics of explosives
Performance
mechanical
sensitivity
stability
compatibility
Blast assessment
crater
manhole covers
window breakage
street
furniture damage
debris throw
chemical analysis
Detonation evidence
small fragments
blue colouring
evidence of high temperatures
bio agents features (8)
infectivity
virulence
toxicity
pathogenicity
incubation period
transmissibility
lethality
stability
Define infectivity
ease at which an organism can establish themselves in a host
Define virulence
severity of disease produced by an agent
Define pathogenicity
capability to cause disease in an host
Define toxicity
severity of illness/incapacitation produced by a toxin
Define transmissibility
ease at which an agent can travel from person to person - Ro
Define stability (bio agent)
viability of an agent outside a body (temperature pressure, humidity, UV, pollution, etc)
Define incubation period
time between exposure and appearance of symptoms
Define lethality
ease at which an agent can cause death in a susceptible population
Bio defence strategies core elements
Prevention
preparedness
protection
response
recovery
Bio defence objectives
reduce the impact of agents
Chem agent detection methods
Ion mobility spectroscopy
Flame photometry
infra-red spectroscopy
Raman spectroscopy
Surface acoustic wave
photo ionisation
colourmetric - wet paper eg urine testing
Routes of entry into the body
Respiratory
Percutaneous (skin)
Ocular
Ingestion
injection
Penetration equation
concentration of harmful substances under a mask/ concentration outside the mask
Efficiency equation
( (concentration outside the mask) - (the concentration of harmful substances undermask) ) / (concentration outside the mask) OR 1 – Penetration
Limitations of personal masks
Particle filters
- do not protect against gases or vapours
- become clogged making breathing difficult and therefore create seal leaks
Gas/Vapour filters
- do not protect against particles
- have limited capacity so after time provide no protection called breakthrough
Filters do not protect against oxygen deficient environments
Self contained breathing apparatus protect against everything, but are bulky, expensive and need significant specialist training.
Types of individual respiration protection
respirators (air purifying):
unpowered - half, full, and disposable filtering half, mask
powered - half, full face, helmet/hood
Breathing apparatus (air supplied)
Activated charcoal
type of gas purifying system
hard, stable and good absorptive properties
large surface area (700 sq m per gram)
limitations
breakthrough and fails in presence of water vapour
Factors for consideration with individual masks
work rate
wear time
abnormal humidity/temperature
facial hair
Types of PPE?
clothing
goggles
helmets
respirators
skin protection
eye protection
hearing protection
bomb disposal suits
Collective protection
buildings, vehicles, ships, tents, planes etc Person occupied assets
Factors to consider during a chemical hazard
low vapour pressure
low surface energies
use of additives
rate of absorption and desorption
Collective protection basic concepts
provide contamination free environment
allow relief from wearing PPE
overpressure and filtration are the driving approaches
filter incoming air and maintain an internal over pressure to keep out contaminants
Tech for immune buildings
Advanced filtration
Decontamination
Real time neutralisation
DURC?
Dual Use Research of Concern
What is dual use areas of concern covering?
Tools, procedures, methods and material
State of knowledge and development at a point in time
Exploitation of the natural world
What falls into the wider web of deterrence?
UNSCR 1540
Global partnership
Australia Group
Wassenaar agreement
BTWC
Export controls eg UK strategic export control list, US ITAR
What is an institutional review entity?
A group that assesses and reports to funding agencies about potential DURC projects with a mitigation plan for approval. Then maintain oversight for the duration of the project.
DURC examples
3D printing
Synthetic biology
Drones
Wassenaar Agreement?
1996 agreement for 42 members to share information about where dual use has been provided to promote greater responsibility and prevent destabilising accumulations.
UNSCR 1540?
The Security Council decided that all States shall refrain from providing any form of support to non-State actors that attempt to develop, acquire, manufacture, possess, transport, transfer or use nuclear, chemical or biological weapons and their means of delivery, in particular for terrorist purposes.
The resolution requires all States to adopt and enforce appropriate laws to this effect as well as other effective measures to prevent the proliferation of these weapons and their means of delivery to non-State actors, in particular for terrorist purposes.
Prohibit attempts to participate as an accomplice or to finance the aforementioned activities.
Global partnership? (*)
G8 2002
mitigate Bio threats
CW destruction and security
Support UNSCR 1540
Strengthen RN security
Australia Group?
1985
Harmonisation of export controls of C&B weapons
Global health security index - categories (6)
Prevention
Detection and reporting
Rapid response
Health system
Compliance with international norms
Risk environment
Global health security index - what is it?
Comprehensive assessment of health security and related capabilities
2019 - all countries at all income levels have major gaps
GHSI - findings Prevention
Fewer than 7% of countries score in the highest tier for prevention of emergence or release of pathogens
GHSI - findings Detection and reporting
19% of countries receive top marks for detection and reporting
GHSI - findings rapid response
fewer than 5% of countries scored highest to respond and mitigate an epidemic
GHSI - findings Health system
average score for health system indicators is 26.4 out of 100
GHSI - findings compliance with international norms
fewer than half submitted confidence building measures under the BTWC in the last 3 years
GHSI - findings Risk environment
only 23% scored in the top tier
MagNOx?
Magnesium, no oxide fuel
types of dosimeter
film badge
electroscope
air sampling
geiger counter
Film badge principles
film reacts to radiation, a variety of filters monitor different energies, allowing the analyst to assess what effects the radiation exposure might have on the person who was wearing it.
Electroscope principles
charged device being discharged by radiation
Geiger counter principles
ionising radiation makes a conductive path between two charged plates, current produced is amplified and usually sent to a speaker to make a clicking sound for each interaction.
Radiation units of activity
Becquerel - Bq
Curie - Ci 3.7 x 10^10Bq
Rutherford - Rd 1,000,000 Bq
Radiation exposure units
coulomb/kilo - C/kg| Rontgen - R
Radiation Absorbed dose
Gray - Joule/Kg
Rad
Radiation dose equivalent
sievert - Sv
rontogen equivalent man - rem
Average radiation dose per person per year (UK)?
2.7mSv
Define Biosecurity
aim to prevent the deliberate diversion of deadly pathogens for malicious purposes,therefore the sum of risk management practices in defence against biological threats.
Define Bio Safety
are intended to prevent accidental infections of researchers or releases of pathogens from a research facility that could endanger public health or the environment
Tools of biosecurity (3)
Exclusion
Eradication
Control
UK Biosecurity strategy
Understand
Prevent
Detect
Respond
Underpinned by scientific capabilities and capacity
Leverage biological sector for opportunities
Levels of biosafety (definitions)
BSL-1 - not know to cause diseaase in health adults - mild hazard
BSL-2 - microbes pose moderate hazards - e.g. staph. aureus
BSL-3 - treatable but can cause serious health problems - e.g. anthrax
BSL-4 - incurable agents - e.g. ebola
Define primary case
first person who brings a disease into a group of people (school, community, country etc)
Define Index case
first person in an outbreak to be identified by health authorities as having the disease (not necessarily the primary case)
Why do we need medical surveillence?
administer medical countermeasures
quarantine procedures
control strategies
Data used in medical surveillence
hospital admission
GP consultations
Clincal lab tests
NHS direct
NHS website traffic
Vet surveillance
Air pollution
Meteorology
Pharmacy sales
Socio-Economic data - workforce health
Other nations
Internet search data
Social media trending and usage
Types of chemical weapon (7)
Blood agents
Choking agents
incapacitating agents
nerve agents
riot control agents
toxins
vesicants
Describe CW vesicants
blistering agent, eye, skin and mucus membrane pain
Types of vesicant
sulphur mustard
nitrogen
mustards
lewisite
phosgene
Describe CW Blood agents (*)
primarily inhalation, but can be ingested, absorbed into the blood,
affect electron transport chain in mitochondria
fast acting
highly volatile, colourless gas, faint odor
types of blood agent
hydrogen cyanide
cyanogen chloride
arsine
Describe CW choking agents
suffocate victim by fluid build up in the lungs
corrosive to eyes blur vision and burning
Types of choking agent
Cholrine gas
phosgene
chloropicrin
acrolein
Describe CW nerve agents
inhibition of enzyme AchE
respiratory paralysis - diaphragm and brain stemmiosis
miosis due to ocular exposure
types of nerve agent
VX
GA
GB
GD
Novichok
Describe CW riot control agents
irritant incapacitating agents
types of riot control agents
mace
CS
pepper spray
Describe CW incapacitating agents
provides temporary disabling conditions
Define hazmat
portmanteau of hazardous materials
Dosage equation
D = C x IR x AF x EF / BW
D= exposure dose
C= contaminate concentration mg/m-3
IR = intake of contaminated medium
AF = bioavailability factor
EF = exposure factor
BW = body weight or
EF = (FxED) / AT
F = frequency of exposure (days/year)
ED = exposure duration (years)
AT =averaging time (ED x 365)
Average daily dose equation
ADD = C(air) x InhR x ET x EF x ED/BW x AT
ADD = Average daily dose (mg/kg-day)
C(air) = Concentration of contaminant in air (mg/m3)
InhR = Inhalation rate (m3/hour)
ET = Exposure time (hours/day)
EF = Exposure frequency (days/year)
ED = Exposure duration (years)
BW = Body weight (kg)
AT = Averaging time (days)
Workplace Exposure Limits (WEL) equation
WEL in mg.m-3 = (WEL in ppm x MW) / 24.05526
MW is the molecular weight (molar mass in g.mol-1) of the substance.
Molar mass is the mass of a given substance divided by the amount of that substance, measured in g/mol.
24.05526 l.
mol-1 is the molar volume of an ideal gas at 20ºC and 1 atmosphere pressure (760 mm mercury, 101325 Pa, 1.01325 bar).
Time Weighted Average (TWA) equation
The 8-hour reference period
The term ‘8-hour reference period’ relates to the procedure whereby the occupational exposures in any 24-hour period are treated as equivalent to a single uniform exposure for 8 hours (the 8-hour time-weighted average (TWA) exposure).
The 8-hour TWA may be represented mathematically by:
(C1T1+C2T2+…CnTn) / 8
where C1 is the occupational exposure and T1 is the associated exposure time in hours in any 24-hour period.
Incapacitating Agents Types
LSD
BZ
Fentanyls
