Terrorism: Background on Chemical, Biological, and Toxin Weapons and Options for Lessening Their Impact
Abstract
The domestic approach to potential terrorist attacks using chemical, biological, or toxin weapons attempts to balance a "post-event" consequence management approach with a "pre-event," preventative approach. Legislation and plans have been developed to address the casualties from chemical, biological, or toxin weapons that are generally focused on the physical consequences of such weapons use and methods to provide prompt consequence management. Further efforts regarding public outreach, the enhancement of treatment and prophylaxis through federal initiatives, and additional regulation of materials used in developing chemical, biological, and toxin weapons are areas policy makers may revisit as preventative approaches to reducing the terror aspect of these weapons. This report provides a general overview of chemical, biological, and toxin weapons and their treatment; a summary of why some of these weapons may be more attractive to terrorist groups than conventional weapons; select aspects of the current response against chemical, biological and toxin terrorism; and potential options towards lessening these weapons' impact.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Dec 01, 2004
- Accession Number
- ADA443396
Entities
People
- Dana A. Shea
Organizations
- Library of Congress