Homeland security biological agents

Heavily referenced, this science-based work is an excellent tool to assist military and homeland security personnel and first responders to improve their ability to develop and implement countermeasures to the potential biological and chemical threat agents that continue to emerge. 

NRC. 2007. Interim Report on Methodological Improvements to the Department of Homeland Security s Biological Agent Risk Analysis. Washington, D.C. National Academies Press. 

Ecology is another market segment, comprising the field of agricultural-and water-analysis, either as spot tests or as continuous monitoring. Included are also applications related to homeland security, e.g. the detection of agents that pose biological threats. This market benefits from portable systems with preferably multi-parameter capabilities. 

In practical terms, early detection systems of various pathogens gained high priority. BioWatch—a Department of Homeland Security s effort to collect air samples form dozens of cities around the country to detect biological agents—biosensors have been deployed in more than 30 urban areas (at a cost of 79 million for 2006). Air is thus monitored air 24 hours a day and samples are collected daily and taken to labs that are part of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Laboratory Response Network. The results are provided within 12 to 36 hours [336]. 

Report on the Homeland Security Workshop on Transport and Disposal of Wastes from Facilities Contaminated with Chemical or Biological Agents, EPA/600/R-04/065, November 2003. 

---