The probability for a the use of bioterrorism agents is slim, but it is not impossible. It is important for families, individuals, and businesses to be prepared in case of a biological or chemical attack. Pinpointing where or how large of an area an act of biological or chemical terrorism may occur is very difficult, and many times there is not any time to prepare, once a warning or notification that a terrorist attack has occurred. Please take into consideration the following safety tips before it is too late.

Before a chemical or biological attack occurs organize an emergency supply kit. Some of the things to include:
         o Battery operated radio with extra batteries.
         o First aid kit.
         o Non-perishable food and drinking water.
         o Sanitation supplies including soap, water and bleach.
         o Roll of duct tape and scissors.
         o In case of the need to shelter in place have plastic (pre-cut preferably to save time should an immediate threat occur)to cover doors, windows and vents in a designated room. This should be an internal room where you can block out air that may contain hazardous chemical or biological agents.
         
What to do During a Chemical or Biological Attack
1. Listen to your radio for news updates and instructions from authorities regarding whether you need to remain inside or need to evacuate.

2. You you should do if you are instructed to remain in your home or the current building that you are in:
        o Turn off all ventilation, including furnaces, air conditioners, vents and fans.
        o Find shelter in an internal room, preferably one without windows. Seal the room with duct tape and plastic sheeting. Make sure that you have about ten square feet of floor space per person to provide sufficient air to prevent carbon dioxide build-up for up to five hours.
        o Remain in protected areas until it has been cleared by authorities that the toxic vapors are reduced or eliminated, and be sure to take your battery-operated radio with you.

3. If you are caught in an unprotected area, you should:
        o Attempt to get up-wind of the contaminated area.
        o Attempt to find shelter as quickly as possible.
        o Listen to your radio for official instructions.

What to do After a Chemical or Biological Attack
      -Watch for immediate symptoms of exposure to chemical agents including blurred vision, eye irritation, difficulty breathing and nausea.

      -If a person has been affected by a chemical or biological agent they require immediate attention by professional medical personnel.

       -If medical help is not immediately available, decontaminate yourself and assist in decontaminating others. Decontamination is needed within minutes of exposure to minimize health consequences. (However, you should not leave the safety of a shelter to go outdoors to help others until authorities announce it is safe to do so.)

1. Help others who have been exposed with chemical agents with extreme caution:
     o Remove all clothing and other items in contact with the body. Contaminated clothing normally removed over the head should be cut off to avoid contact with the eyes, nose, and mouth.
     o Put contaminated clothing into a plastic bag if possible. 
     o Decontaminate hands using soap and water.
     o Remove eyeglasses or contact  lenses. Decontaminate eye glasses in a pan of chlorine bleach.

2. Remove all items in contact with the body.

3. Flush eyes with lots of water.

4. Gently wash face and hair with soap and water; then thoroughly rinse with water.

5. Decontaminate other body areas likely to have been contaminated. Blot (do not swab or scrape) with a cloth soaked in soapy water and rinse with clear water.

6. Change into uncontaminated clothes. Clothing stored in drawers or closets is likely to be uncontaminated.

7. If possible, proceed to a medical facility for screening.

Determining the Differences Between a Chemical and Biological Attack
CLUES THAT MAY POINT TO BIOTERRORISM
  -an unusually high number of human and animal sicknesses and deaths, especially over a period of time.

  -unusual or unscheduled spraying practices, especially at night

  -abandoned spray devices, especially those that contain odorless materials.

In the case of a biological attack, symptoms may take awhile to develop. This allows victims time to disperse from the original point of contamination. Hospitals and other emergency and healthcare agencies need to keep track and be on the look for both concentrated and wide spread cases of unusual illnesses, especially highly contagious illnesses, that start to occur in about the same frame of time.

CLUES THAT MAY POINT TO CHEMICAL TERRORISM
  - Mass sickness and fatalities in a very short period of time, without showing any signs of trauma, and all exhibiting the same types of symptoms.

  -Hazardous materials or equipment that is out of place from the environment from which it was found.

  -Exposed individuals reporting unusual smells or tastes

  -Explosions emitting mists, liquids, or gases.

  -Explosions that seem to only damage the package that they come in.

  - Unscheduled spraying.

  -Suspicious spray devices abandoned.

  -Large quantities of death birds, fish, or other wildlife.

  -Absence of insect life in a warm climate.

  - Civilian panic in potential target areas, such as big cities, subways, and government buildings.


In the case of chemical terrorism, symptoms are usually seen within minutes and progress quickly. There is very little time to act.

All information for this page obtained from FEMA