Biological agents effectiveness

AVI BioPharma Info (2005). Promising new technology may block biological agent effects, GSN, October 18. Available http //www.mmrs.fema.gov/news/ publichealth/2005/oct/nph2005-10-18a.aspx. 

Effects of indoor air pollutants on humans are essentially the same as those described in Chapter 7. However, there can be some additional pollutant exposures in the indoor environment that are not common in the ambient setting. From the listing in Table 23-1, radon exposures indoors present a radiation hazard for the development of lung cancer. Environmental tobacco smoke has been found to cause lung cancer and other respiratory diseases. Biological agents such as molds and other toxins may be a more likely exposure hazard indoors than outside. 

Cover the control of substances classified as very toxic, toxic, harmful, coiTosive, sensitizing or imtant under the Chemicals (Hazard Information and Packaging for Supply) Regulations 1994 (as amended) and to substances which have MELs or OESs. Also other substances that have chronic or delayed effects and biological agents. Special provisions are included for carcinogens. 

Biological agent Any of a range of microorganisms which have an adverse effect on human health, including those genetically modified cell cultures and en-doparasites. 

Other elements of weather and outdoor exposure can interact with UV radiation to accelerate degradation in degradable types of plastics. They include humidity, salt spray, wind, industrial pollutants, and atmospheric impurities such as ozone, biological agents, and temperature. The wavelengths that have the most effect on plastics range from 290 to 400 nm (2,900 to 4,000 A). 

It is likely that with continued investment in research and development, it will be possible in the future to reduce the detection time for biological agent attacks below 1 hour, while maintaining or increasing the POD.10 A faster response time with high POD would increase the benefits of detection systems and the effectiveness of detection-based strategies. 

Interferon -biologic agent -flu-like symptoms-malaise, myalgias, fatigue, fever -nausea and vomiting—mild -anorexia -bone marrow suppression -mucocutaneous effects (stomatitis, mucositis) -cardiovascular effects (arrhythmias, hypotension) -mental status changes (confusion, lethargy, psychosis) -renal impairment (proteinuria) -elevation in transaminase levels... 

Invent effective antivirals and antibiotics for response to attacks with biological agents. 

Reactive oximes and their salts, such as potassium 2,3-butanedione monoximate found in commercially available Reactive Skin Decontaminant Lotion (RSDL), are extremely effective at rapidly detoxifying sulfur vesicants. Some chloroisocyanurates, similar to those found in the Canadian Aqueous System for Chemical-Biological Agent Decontamination (CAS-CAD), are effective at detoxifying sulfur vesicants, and so is oxone, a peroxymonosulfate triple salt. 

Stressor is a chemical, physical or biological agent that can cause adverse effects in non-human ecological components ranging from organisms, populations, and communities, to ecosystems (Smrchek and Zeeman,... 

Chemical agents can cause immediate effects biological agents cause delayed effects. 

Sodium Hypochlorite Solution (household bleach) can be used against both chemical and biological agents. It is effective and fast-acting against blister and V nerve agents, but requires a contact time of ten to fifteen minutes for all biological materials. It is available in food stores as a 5 percent solution under various brand names, and as a 14 to 10 percent solution at commercial laundries. Undiluted, household bleach is harmful to skin and... 

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