Chapter 41 terrorism

active shooter event

an act of terror in which firearms are used in an ongoing assault of multiple people

aging

the process by which the temporary bond between organophosphate and acetylcholinesterase undergoes hydrolysis resulting in a permanent covalent bond

alpha radiation

a type of energy that is emitted from a strong radiologic source; it is the least harmful penetrating type of radiation and cannot travel more than a few inches or penetrate most objects

anthrax

a disease caused by a deadly bacterium (Bacillus anthracis) that lies dormant in a spore (protective shell); the germ is released from the spore when exposed to the optimal temperature and moisture. The routes of entry are inhalation, cutaneous and gastrointestinal (from consumption)

Antidote Treatment Nerve Agent Auto-Injector (ATNAA)

A nerve agent antidote kit containing atropine and pralidoxime chloride; delivered as a single dose through one needle- also known as DuoDote

bacteria

microorganisms that reproduce by binary fission. these single-cell creatures reproduce rapidly. Some form spores (encysted variants) when environmental conditions are harsh

beta radiation

A type of energy that is admitted from a strong radiologic source; it is slightly more penetrating than alpha radiation requires a layer of clothing to stop it

B-NICE

A memory device to recall the types of weapons of mass destruction; biologic, nuclear, incendiary, chemical, and explosive

botulinum

produced by bacteria, this is the most potent neurotoxin known. When introduced into the body, this neurotoxin affects the nervous systems ability to function and causes botulism.

buboes

enlarged lymph nodes (up to the size of a tennis ball) that are characteristic, and people infected with the bubonic plague

bubonic plague

bacterial infection that affects the lymphatic system. It is transmitted by infected rodents and fleas and characterized by acute malaise, fever, and the formation of tender, enlarged, inflamed lymph nodes appear as lesions, called buboes. Also called the black death.

chlorine (Cl)

The first chemical agents ever used in warfare. It has a distinct odor of bleach and creates a green haze when released as a gas. Initially, it produces upper airway irritation, and choking sensation.

contact hazard

The term used to describe the danger post by a chemical whose primary route of entry into the body is through the skin; posed by a hazardous agent that gives off very little or no vapor; also called a skin hazard

contagious

infectious disease that spreads from one human to another; communicable

covert

an act in which the public safety community generally has no prior knowledge of the time, location, or nature of the attack

cross contamination

occurs when a person is contaminated by an agent as a result of coming in contact with another contaminated person

cyanide

an agent that affects the bodies ability to use oxygen. It is a colorless gas that has an odor similar to almonds. The effects begin on the cellular level and are very very rapidly seen at the organ and system levels.

decay

A natural process in which the matter that is unstable attempts to stabilize itself by changing its structure

dirty bomb

name given to an explosive radiologic dispersal device

disease vector

an animal that, once infected, spreads a disease to another animal

dissemination

The means by which terrorist will spread an agent; for example, by poisoning, the water supply or air, specializing the agent into the air or ventilation system of the building

domestic terrorism

terrorism that is carried out by people in their own country

DuoDote Auto-injector

A nerve agent antidote kit containing atropine and pralidoxime chloride; delivered as a single dose through one needle- also known as ATNAA

G agents

early nerve agents that were developed by German scientists in the period after World War I and into World War II. There are three such agents: Sarin, Soman, and tabun

gamma (x-ray) radiation

A type of energy that is admitted from a strong radiologic source that travels faster and has more energy than alpha and beta rays. These rays easily penetrate through the human body and require lead or several inches of concrete to prevent penetration.

incubation

The period of time between a person being exposed to an agent and the time when symptoms appear

international terrorism

terrorism that is carried out by people in a country other than their own; also known as cross-border terrorism

ionizing radiation

Energy that is emitted in the form of rays, or particles

lewisite (L)

A blistering agent that has a rapid onset of symptoms and produce immediate, intense pain, and discomfort on contact

lone wolf terrorist attack

an active terror carried out by a single person to further an ideological goal

lymphatic system

A passive circulatory system in the body that transports a plasma like liquid called lymph, a thin fluid that bathe the tissues of the body

lymph nodes

The area of the lymphatic system where infection fighting cells are housed

miosis

excessively constricted pupil; often bilateral after exposure to nerve agents

mutagen

A substance that mutates, damages, and changes the structure of DNA in the body’s cells

nerve agents

A class of chemical called organophosphates; they function by blocking an essential enzyme in the nervous system, which causes the bodies organs to become overstimulated and burn out

neurotoxins

biologic agents that are deadliest substance known to humans; they include botulinum toxin and ricin

neutron radiation

The type of energy that is admitted from a strong radiologic source, involving particles that are among the most powerful forms of radiation; particles easily penetrate through lead and requires several feet of concrete to stop them

Off gassing

The release of an agent after exposure – for example, from a persons clothes that have been exposed to the agents

pandemic

an outbreak that occurs on a global scale

persistency

how long a chemical agent will stay on a surface before it evaporates - AKA volatility

phosgene

A pulmonary agent that is a product of combustion, resulting from a fire at a textile factory or house, or from metal working or burning Freon. It is a very potent agent that has a delayed onset of symptoms, usually hours.

phosgene oxime (CX)

a blistering agent that has a rapid set of symptoms and produces immediate, intense pain and discomfort on contact

pneumonic plague

A lung infection, also known as plague, pneumonia, that is the results of inhalation of plague causing bacteria

points of distribution (PODs)

existing facilities used as mass distribution sites for antibiotics, antidotes, vaccinations, and other medication supplies during an emergency

primary blast injury

injuries caused by an explosive pressure wave to the hollow organs of the body

pulmonary blast injuries

pulmonary trauma resulting from short range exposure to the detonation of high energy explosives

quaternary blast injury

a blast injury that falls into one of the following categories: burns, crush injuries, toxic, inhalation, medical emergencies, or mental health disorders.

radioactive material

any material that emits radiation

radiologic dispersal device (RDD)

any container that is designed to disperse radioactive material also known as a dirty bomb

Ricin

A neurotoxin derived from mash that is left from the castor bean; causes pulmonary edema and respiratory and circulatory failure leading to death

route of exposure

The manner by which a toxic substance enters the body

sarin (GB)

A nerve agent that is one of the G agents; a highly volatile colorless and odorless liquid that turns from liquid to gas within seconds to minutes at room temperature

secondary blast injury

A penetrating or non-penetrating injury caused by ordnance projectiles or secondary missiles

secondary device

A secondary explosive used by terrorists, set to explode after the initial bomb

smallpox

highly contagious, viral disease; it is most contagious when blisters begin to form

soman (GD)

A nerve agent that is one of the G agent; twice as persistent as sarin and five times as lethal; it has a fruity odor as a result of the type of alcohol used in the agent, and is a contact and an inhalation hazard I can enter the body through skin absorption and through the respiratory tract

special atomic demolition Munitions (SDM)

small suitcase-sized nuclear weapons that were designed to destroy individual targets, such as important buildings, bridges, tunnels, and large ships

State sponsored terrorism

terrorism that is funded and/or supported by nations that hold close ties with terrorist groups

sulfur mustard (H)

A vesicant; it is a brown – yellow oily substance that is generally considered very persistent; has the distinct smell of garlic or mustard and, when released, is quickly absorbed into the skin and/or mucus membranes and begins an irreversible process of damaging the cells. Also called mustard gas.

syndromic surveillance

The monitoring, usually by local or state health departments, of patients presenting to emergency departments and alternative care facilities, the recording of EMS call volume, and the use of over-the-counter medications

tabun (GA)

A nerve agent that is one of the G agents; 36 times more persistent than sarin and approximately 1/2 as lethal; has a fruity smell and is unique because the components used to manufacture the agent are easy to acquire and the agent is easy to manufacture

tertiary blast injury

an injury from whole body displacement and subsequent traumatic impact with environmental objects

V agent (VX)

One of the G agents; it is a clear, oily agent that has no odor and it looks like baby oil; more than 100 times more lethal than sarin and extremely persistent

vapor hazard

The term used to describe danger posed by an agent that enters the body through the respiratory tract

vesicants

blister agents; the primary route of entry for such agents is through the skin

viral hemorrhagic fevers

A group of diseases caused by viruses that include Ebola, rift valley, and yellow fever, among others. this group of viruses causes the blood in the body to seep out from the tissues and blood vessels

Viruses

germs that require a living host to multiply and survive

volatility

how long a chemical agent will stay on a surface before it evaporates - AKA persistency

weaponization

creation of a weapon from a biologic agent that is generally found in nature and that causes disease. The agent is cultivated, synthesized, and/or mutated to maximize the target populations exposure to the germ.

weapon of mass casualty (WMC)

any agents designed to bring about mass death, casualties, and/or massive damage to property and infrastructure (bridges, tunnels, airports, and seaport); also known as weapons of mass destruction (WMD)

weapon of mass destruction (WMD)

any agents designed to bring about mass death, casualties, and/or massive damage to property and infrastructure (bridges, tunnels, airports, and seaport); also known as weapons of mass casualty (WMC)