Originating in the armed forces of the early 20th century, weapons based on chemical, biological or nuclear agents have become an everpresent threat that has not vanished after the end of the cold war. Since the technology to produce these agents is nowadays available to many countries and organizations, including those with terrorist aims, civil authorities across the world need to prepare against incidents involving these agents and train their personnel accordingly. As an introductory text on NBC CBRN weapons and agents, this book leads the reader from the scientific basics to the current threats and strategies to prepare against them. After an introductory part on the history of NBC CBRN weapons and their international control, the three classes of nuclear/radiological, biological, and chemical weapons are introduced, focusing on agents and delivery vehicles. Current methods for the rapid detection of NBC CBRN agents are introduced, and the principles of physical protection of humans and structures are explained. The final parts addresses more general issues of risk management, preparedness and response management, as the set of tools that authorities and civil services will be needed in a future CBRN scenario as well as the likely future scenarios that authorities and civil services will be faced with in the coming years. This book is a must-have for Health Officers, Public Health Agencies, and Military Authorities.

Originating in the armed forces of the early 20th century, weapons based on chemical, biological or nuclear agents have become an everpresent threat that has not vanished after the end of the cold war. Since the technology to produce these agents is nowadays available tomany countries and organizations, including those with terrorist aims, civil authorities across the world need to prepare against incidents involving these agents and train their personnel accordingly.As an introductory text on NBC CBRN weapons and agents, this book leads the reader from the scientific basics to the current threats and strategies to prepare against them. After an introductory part on the history of NBC CBRN weapons and their international control, the three classes of nuclear/radiological, biological, and chemical weapons are introduced, focusing on agents and delivery vehicles. Current methodsfor the rapid detection of NBC CBRN agents are introduced, and the principles of physical protection of humans and structures are explained.The final parts addresses more general issues of risk management, preparedness and response management, as the set of tools that authorities and civil services will be needed in a future CBRN scenario as well as the likely future scenarios that authorities and civil services will be faced with in the coming years.This book is a must-have for Health Officers, Public Health Agencies, and Military Authorities.

PREFACEPART I: History and Treaties in CBRN - Warfare and TerrorismA GLANCE BACK - MYTHS AND FACTS ABOUT CBRN INCIDENTSIntroductionHistory of Chemical WarfareIntroduction to Biological WarfareIntroduction to Radiological and Nuclear WarfareINTERNATIONAL TREATIES - ONLY A MATTER FOR DIPLOMATS?Introduction to the Minefield of NegotiationsWhy It Is so Difficult to Implement International Regulations?Historic Development of Treaties - the Link to the IncidentsToday's System of Treaties - a Global NetworkNuclear WeaponsOrganizationsConclusions and Where Does the Road Lead?PART II: CBRN Characteristics - Is There Something Inimitable?CHEMICAL AGENTS - SMALL MOLECULES WITH DEADLY PROPERTIESAre Special Properties Required for Chemical Warfare Agents?How can we Classify Chemical Warfare Agents?Properties of Chemical Warfare AgentsChoking and Irritant AgentsIncapacitating AgentsDissemination Systems of Chemical Warfare AgentsConclusions and OutlookCHARACTERISTICS OF BIOLOGICAL WARFARE AGENTS - DIVERSITY OF BIOLOGYWhat Is Special?Types of Biological AgentsRisk Classification of Biological and Biological Warfare AgentsRoutes of EntryOrigin, Spreading, and AvailabilityThe Biological Event - Borderline to Pandemics, Endemics, and EpidemicsThe Bane of Biotechnology - Genetically Engineered PathogensConclusions and OutlookCHARACTERISTICS OF NUCLEAR AND RADIOLOGICAL WEAPONSIntroduction to Nuclear ExplosionsDirect EffectsIndirect EffectsRadiological WeaponsPART III: CBRN Sensors - Key Technology for an Effective CBRN Countermeasure StrategyWHY ARE RELIABLE CBRN DETECTOR TECHNOLOGIES NEEDED?IntroductionA Concept to Track CBRN SubstancesLow-Level Exposure and Operational Risk ManagementConclusions and OutlookANALYSIS OF CHEMICAL WARFARE AGENTS - SEARCHING FOR MOLECULESAnalytical Chemistry - the Scientific Basis for Searching MoleculesStandards for Chemical Warfare Agent Sensor Systems and Criteria for DeploymentFalse Alarm Rate and Limit of SensitivityTechnologies for Chemical Warfare Agent Sensor SystemsTesting of Chemical Warfare Agent DetectorsConclusions and Future DevelopmentsDETECTION AND ANALYSIS OF BIOLOGICAL AGENTSWhat Makes the Difference?The Ideal Detection and Identification PlatformBioaerosols: Particulate and Biological BackgroundAerosol Detection - A Tool for Threat MonitoringIdentification of Biological Warfare AgentsDeveloping and Upcoming TechnologiesConclusionsMEASUREMENT OF IONIZING RADIATIONWhy Is Detection of Ionizing Radiation So Important?Physical Quantities used to Describe Radioactivity and Ionizing RadiationDifferent Measuring Tasks Concerning Ionizing RadiationBasics of Radiation DetectorsGamma Dose Rate and Detection of Gamma RadiationConclusions and OutlookPART IV: Technologies for Physical ProtectionFILTER TECHNOLOGY - CLEAN AIR IS REQUIREDFilters - Needed Technology Equipment for Collective and Individual ProtectionGeneral ConsiderationsWhat are the Principles for Filtration and Air-Cleaning?Test MethodsSelection Process for CBRN FiltersConclusions and OutlookINDIVIDUAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT - DO YOU KNOW WHAT TO WEAR?Basics of Individual ProtectionWhich Challenges for Individual Protection Equipment (IPE) Can Be Identified?The Way to Design Individual Protective EquipmentFunctionErgonomics - a Key Element for Individual Protection EquipmentDonning and Doffing - Training Is RequiredOverview of IPE Items - They Have to Act in ConcertQuality AssuranceWorkplace SafetyFuture ProspectsCOLLECTIVE PROTECTION - A SECURE AREA IN A TOXIC ENVIRONMENTWhy Is Collective Protection of Interest?Collective Protection Systems - Required for Different ScenariosBasic DesignConclusions and OutlookPART V: Cleanup after a CBRN EventDECONTAMINATION OF CHEMICAL WARFARE AGENTS - WHAT IS THOROUGH?What Is Decontamination?Dispersal and Fate of Chemical Warfare AgentsDecontamination Media for Chemical Warfare AgentsSelected Chemica