The current and greatest threats to the United States are chemical and biological weapons because of the difficulty in detection, the element of surprise and the mass casualty scenarios they would pose. “Chemicals present an attractive weapon for terrorists because they are easy to control, and unlike biological weapons, the users can avoid the area they attack” (White, 2017, p. 107). Hurricane Harvey, its damage to an organic peroxide plant and the subsequent hazardous emissions from it is a current event example of the dangers and vulnerabilities of hazardous material production in the United States. “Chemical agents can cause significant morbidity, are relatively inexpensive, and are easy to store and use” (Chalela & Burnett, 2012). Therefore, terrorist look at vulnerable chemical plants and the distribution of these chemicals via railways and highways as a viable target to cause a large-scale mass causality event that could quickly overwhelm critical infrastructures. …show more content…
“Bioterrorism is not only a reality of the times in which we live but bioweapons have been used for centuries” (Christian, 2013). Biological warfare is a high impact, asymmetrical threat in which the weapon can fit in a small test tube. “Critical care physicians play a major role in the recognition of and response to a bioterrorism attack” (Christian, 2013). Silent weapons such as infectious diseases like smallpox and poisons like ricin are viewed by terrorist as an ideal weapon to create
“Bioterrorism remains a major threat for the United States despite more than $65 billion spent on protecting the country from myriad dangers, the Bipartisan WMD Terrorism Research Center said in its latest report Wednesday. The center's Bio-Response Report Card evaluated U.S. preparedness for countering threats from bioterrorism and found the country remains vulnerable to multiple threats and "largely unprepared for a large-scale bioterrorist attack."”(UPI.com, 2011). There have been over a dozen leading U.S. bio-defense experts that have taken part in figuring out where we are exactly as a county and what the effects of a terroristic attack
One of the world’s most dreaded plagues for centuries, smallpox is now eradicated. Vaccination programs were pushed worldwide by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the disease was eliminated from the world. This push resulted in the last naturally occurring case in the world being almost 40 years ago. Once eradicated the once routine or mandatory vaccinations were stopped for the general public and it was deemed no longer necessary to prevent the disease. Although currently eradicated worldwide, two medical laboratory stockpiles still remain in Russia and the United States. With these stockpiles in existence the possibility of bio terrorism emerges and fear of these stockpiles getting into the wrong hands and being weaponized for
The chemical sector within the United States is a necessary element to the economy, security, and the well-being of personnel. The appeal of a chemical sector and the destruction it could create would be an ideal target for terrorists to strike. Facilities within the United States use, manufacture, store, transport, or deliver chemicals that encompass everything from petroleum, refineries, pharmaceutical manufacturers, and hardware stores (Department of Homeland Security, 2010). Multiple facilities that utilize chemicals could be exposed to a treat, which leaves the facility vulnerable to attacks. The consequences of the attack could be detrimental to both public health and safety; therefore, the goals for the chemical sector are to (Department of Homeland Security, 2010,
There are several recognizable and common types of technological hazards that first responders have to respond to on a daily basis. They are structural fires, transportation accidents, infrastructure failures, dam failures, hazardous material incidents, and nuclear accidents [7]. Each of these follows the common theme of being a product of the environment that was created by man and considered accidents. Terrorism hazards are sometimes referred to as intentional hazards. They are planned and orchestrated to created destruction. As previously discussed CNRBE covers this area. Other more specific hazards in this category are conventional explosives and secondary devise and chemical agents. These have had the largest link to terrorism hazards so far. The difficulty on predicting what chemical agents will be used decreases the success of trained first responders because the number of potential combination of
Smallpox is a highly infectious and fatal disease caused by the Variola virus. It causes extremely painful pustules to sprout across the entire body. Spread from human to human, it has since been eradicated from the world through the efforts of the World Health Organization. However, there is a distinct possibility that it may be reintroduced through bioterrorism. Biological weapons may cause another pandemic to erupt across the world and kill millions of individuals. Through constant vigilance and careful planning, mankind can prevent this scenario.
Almost all military personnel had been recalled from bases around the world to assist in domestic relief efforts. Entire cities up and down both coasts had been wiped off the map. I was stationed at a refugee center near Dallas when Black announced his candidacy for President.
For the reading this week it would seem clear that at a minimum terrorist groups are very interested and motivated to gain access to a CBRN weapons or Weapon of Mass Destruction. This new focus for terrorist groups is a focus that has comes with some very real concerns for the Homeland Defense and Homeland Security industries. As, Sinai, eludes too in his work, “The Evolving Terrorist Threat: The Convergence of Terrorism, Proliferation of WMD, and Enabling Conditions in Weak and Strong States”, terrorist have a criminal network they use for fundraising. This network often includes drug trafficking, which by nature has sophisticated smuggling operations. This same network could potentially be used to smuggle proliferated CRBN weapons or Weapons
During the late 19th century, America was seen as a flourishing nation which provided a desired relocation for millions of people. From these mass migrations into the United States, citizens developed concern from the fluctuations between economic depression and prosperity and if the nation could afford absorbing than many people (Schaller, Schulzinger, Selfa, Greenwood, Kirk, Purcell, & Dean p. 619) Migrations haven’t stopped in the 21st century and today more than ever there is increasing foreign threats because of the negative sentiment many countries have towards US policy. From this ever changing world with higher threat levels what has homeland security evolved into, and why is it important in Texas amongst the rest of the southern states that share a border with Mexico? With the combination of international airports, a large coastline, and a long stretch of border Texas can potentially be vulnerable from numerous foreign threats because of its sheer size and lack of oversight of many locations.
After events such as 9/11, terrorism still instills fear into America’s population. Why? Simply because it is the one danger the American people cannot control. Biological terrorism is not always feared or worried about, but it is a genuine possibility and a lethal surprise that causes devastation. If not prepared, these deadly pathogens could easily kill large amounts of people. With tensions on the rise, what will the government or citizens do to defend themselves? If something happens, how will Americans be able to care for themselves and families? Bioterrorism is becoming a serious threat that needs to be eradicated to gain biosecurity and to ensure the safety of Americans.
When we hear the word terrorists, we only think of the people trying to destroy the United States. The U.S is used to being admired as being a great country, and when they send troops into other countries and attack them, they expect them not to fight back. However, on September 11, 2001 there was a series of attacks against the United States that left the country in fear. The country was in utter shock and disbelief as they watched four airlines hijacked by suicide bombers take down the World Trade Center in New York, part of the Pentagon as well as a third plane that was take down before it reached Washington D.C. So when the United States invades another country people don 't consider it terrorism, they believe we are simply defending ourselves. The United States is one of the most powerful countries in the world having money, power, greed, freedom of religion, and more. Our democracy along with our presidential leaders want to take out any potential threats thus trying to take control over other countries is what leads to terrorist to attack.
The Rajneeshee bioterrorism attack is the perfect example of terrorist or an extremist group taking matters in their own hands. It seems that the purpose and method of delivery was well thought out and was not irrational, Diseases have always been the enemy to man and animals, using viruses as weapons clearly presents a threat to the public and to national security.
Homeland Security was created to protect not only the persons living and infrastructures within the U.S. but outside as well. Though its existence, homeland security has done a spectacular job due to the fact that the country is still standing. There are many persons and countries that would love to see America fall flat on its face. Through corrective policy action and growth within our intelligence functions we are now as strong as we were before. Nonetheless, Homeland security may still have its flaws.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) identifies bioterrorism as “the intentional use of microorganisms or toxins derived from living organisms to produce death or disease in humans, animal, and plants”. Bioterrorism is known as biological warfare. This particular kind of warfare is unique for specific use of microorganisms. This includes attacks from viruses and dangerous bacteria to cause fatality or sickness to people, animals, or plants. According the Human Diseases and Conditions Forum, “when organisms are used in this way, they become weapons”. The agents are usually discovered within nature. They can however be
“What once required an expensive laboratory may now be done by a skilled individual in a garage, and will be difficult to prevent or detect.” This quote was taken from an article by H.J. Jansen, Professor at the University of Amsterdam and member of the Ministry of Defence in the Netherlands. The statement made addresses the possibility of bioterrorism, the intentional use of biological agents to damage a population's infrastructure, or significantly impact a group of people. In today's world, the possibility and danger of bioterrorism is as great as it has ever been, and America needs to be prepared for it. Between the massive amounts of biological agents, the countries and other groups of people capable of creating them, and the lack of defenses
Bioterrorism refers to biological agents (microbes or toxins) used as weapons to further personal or political agendas. Acts of bioterrorism range from a single exposure directed at an individual by another individual to government-sponsored biological warfare resulting in mass casualties. (CDC) The way that bioterrorism happens is that there is a deliberate release of germs or other biological substances that can cause individuals to become sick. This attack happens internally rather than externally. According to Centers for disease Control and Prevention (CDC), “ In the U.S., the risk of contracting anthrax is extremely low. The intentional release of anthrax following the events of 9/11 resulted in only twenty-two recognized cases of cutaneous