Hazardous Materials Incidents by Chris Hawley CHAPTER 7

Hazardous Materials Incidents by Chris Hawley CHAPTER 7: Terrorism Awareness

Chapter 7: Overview • • • Type of terrorism Potential targets Indicators of terrorism Incident actions General groupings of warfare agents Detection of terrorism agents Federal assistance Basic incident priorities Summary 2

Terrorism in the United States • This chapter examines terrorism response as well as HAZMAT crimes. – HAZMAT crimes • Crimes using chemicals as a weapon • Usually targeted at individuals 3

Terrorism Incidents • The United States has not seen daily terrorism events, as often occurs in other parts of the world. – Recent years have shown some large scale events, with large losses of life. – Events in the U. S. are not as common as incidents that attack U. S. interests in foreign countries. 4

Large Scale Terrorism Incidents • Attacks of September 11, 2001 – World Trade Center – Pentagon – Shanksville, PA • Oklahoma City bombing April 19, 1995 • World Trade Center bombing 1993 • Salmonella attack, Oregon 1984 5

Terrorism Events • Olympic park bombing and others – Clinic bombing – Bar bombing • Alleged bomber Eric Rudolph • Aum Shinryko Tokyo subway attack – Aum completed 19 other attacks – Important group to study • Unabomber 6

Other Events • • Ricin Butyric acid Border bomb White powder responses Shoe bomber Abdullah al Muhajir Embassy bombings 2003 7

Types of Terrorism • International – Perception that international terrorism is greatest threat – False • Domestic – Presents greatest threat – Most common 8

Terrorism Definition • Terrorism is a violent act or an act dangerous to human life, in violation of the criminal laws of the United States or any segment, to intimidate or coerce a government, the civilian population, or any segment thereof, in furtherance of political or social objectives. 9

Potential Targets • Public assembly • Federal, state, and local government buildings • Mass transit systems • High economic areas • Telecommunications facilities • Historical or symbolic buildings • FBI, ATF, and IRS offices • Military installations • Women’s reproductive health clinics • Fur stores • Genetic research buildings • Churches and synagogues 10

Assessing Threats • Does the potential terrorist have – Education to make or pull off the attack? – Access to raw materials? – Access to production equipment? – Access to dissemination equipment? – Motivation to kill? 11

Indicators of Terrorism (1 of 2) • Most terrorism events (93%) are explosive in nature. – Pipe bombs most common • The Department of Justice uses OTTO. – – Occupancy and location Type of event Timing of the event On-scene warning signs 12

Indicators of Terrorism (2 of 2) • One of the best indicators will be a pattern of unexplained illness or injury. – Multiple patients – Multiple seizures – Unusual odors 13

Incident Actions (1 of 2) • Mass Casualty EMS Incident + Hazardous Materials Release and/or Explosive Devices + Crime Scene Considerations = Incident Management Challenges 14

Incident Actions (2 of 2) • Command issues may present the most significant challenge to responders. • Site management and control present significant problems. • Accountability is crucial. 15

General Grouping of Warfare Agents • Weapons of mass destruction (WMD) • Nuclear, biological, and chemical (NBC) • Biological, nuclear, incendiary, chemical, and explosive (BNICE) • Chemical, biological, radioactive, nuclear and explosive (CBRNE) 16

Military Designation • • Tabun (GA) Soman (GD) V agent (VX) Distilled mustard (HD) Lewisite (L) Cyanogen chloride (CK) Phosgene (CG) Mace (CN) • • Sarin (GB) Thickened soman (TGD) Mustard (H) Nitrogen mustard (HN) Hydrogen cyanide (AC) Chlorine (CL) Tear gas (CS) Pepper spray (OC) 17

Nerve Agents • High-strength organophosphate pesticides (OPP) • Developed by the military • Cause immediate effects • Very toxic materials • For example, sarin 18

Nerve Agent Signs and Symptoms (SLUDGEM) • • Salivation –drooling Lacrimation – tearing eyes Urination – may lose control and urinate on themselves Defecation – may lose control of their bowels (diarrhea) Gastro-intestinal – nausea and vomiting Emisis – vomiting Miosis – pinpointing of the pupils 19

Blister Agents • Also called vesicants – From the vesicles (blisters) formed upon contact • Not designed to kill, but to incapacitate • May cause delayed reactions • For example, mustard agent 20

Blood and Choking Agents • Common industrial materials • Two categories – Blood agents – Choking agents • Hydrogen cyanide and chlorine, for example 21

Signs and Symptoms • Dizziness, difficulty breathing, nausea, and general weakness • Cyanides – Breathing initially rapid and deep, followed by respiratory depression, usually leading to death • Chlorine and phosgene – Difficulty breathing, respiratory distress, eye irritation, and (in higher amounts) skin irritation – Phosgene may present delayed effects, while chlorine’s effects are immediate. 22

Irritants • Used for riot control • Not designed to kill – Short-term effects • For example, mace and pepper spray 23

Irritants - Signs and Symptoms • The signs and symptoms for a slight exposure to a high dose are the same with the exception of increasing severity. – Eye and respiratory irritation • There is no real treatment except removal to fresh air. – In 15 -20 minutes, the symptoms will begin to disappear. 24

Biological Agents and Toxins • First large-scale attack in the U. S. was biological. – Salmonella in Oregon made 715 people ill. • Anthrax attack in 2001 left five people dead. – Hysteria created panic with white powders. 25

Other Biological Agents • • Anthrax Plague Tularemia Ricin – Most common – Several arrests a year – Good assassin’s weapon 26

Signs and Symptoms of Anthrax Exposure • 1 -4 day period of malaise, fatigue, and fever • Muscle tenderness, and a non-productive cough followed by a rapid onset of – Respiratory distress – Cyanosis and sweating • Recent cases also had profound – Heavy sweating – Nausea and vomiting 27

Nuclear and Radiation Threats • Two types of events – Nuclear detonation – Radiological dispersion device (RDD) 28

Radiological Dispersion Device (RDD) • This is not a nuclear bomb • Conventional explosive distributes a radioactive material. • Technologically is difficult. • Effective radiation monitoring can prevent inadvertent exposure. 29

Explosive Statistics • On average – 3, 000 bomb incidents a year – 32 people killed a year – 277 injured annually • 11 -year history has shown only 4 -5 secondary devices for 33, 000 bomb incidents (U. S. ). 30

Detection of Terrorism Agents • Test Strips – M-8 indicating paper – M-9 indicating tape – HAZMAT Smart Strip 31

Colorimetric Sampling • Tests available for warfare agents – Multiple tube tests – Single tube tests • Very reliable 32

Electronic Devices • Ion mobility spectrometry (IMS) – Detects warfare agents – Detects irritants – Detects explosives and drugs • Surface acoustical wave (SAW) – Detects warfare agents • Flame spectrophotometry – Detects warfare agents 33

Biological Agent Detection (1 of 2) • Handheld assays – Should use reader to improve accuracy – Some have accuracy issues • Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) – Replicates the DNA of the sample – Looks to match DNA – Lab-based systems very accurate 34

Biological Agent Detection (2 of 2) • FBI and CDC have established more than 70 labs nationwide to test for biological agents. – Consult with the local FBI WMD Coordinator for more information. • Always screen samples. – Fire, corrosive, toxic, and radiation hazards 35

Federal Response Agencies • FBI – Hazardous Materials Response Unit (HMRU) – ERT • National Guard Civil Support Teams (CST) • FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Agency) – Urban Search and Rescue (USAR) • DOD – Technical Escort Unit (TEU) 36

Incident Priorities (1 of 2) • Rescue live victims. – Use full protective clothing and SCBA. • Avoid contact with any materials. • Use quick in – quick out approach. • Do not treat victims in hazard area. • Remove live victims. – Leave the dead. • Ensure police presence. – Terrorist may be around • Watch for secondary devices. • Avoid staging equipment together. 37

Incident Priorities (2 of 2) • Request HAZMAT and Bomb Squad. • Limit personnel working in hazard area. • Notify emergency management. • Request USAR for collapses. • • Isolate victims. Establish triage areas. Notify area hospitals. Remember the incident is a crime scene. • Preserve evidence. • Consult with specialists. 38

Summary • • Type of terrorism Potential targets Indicators of terrorism Incident actions General groupings of warfare agents Detection of terrorism agents Federal assistance Basic incident priorities 39