The terrorist threat has already happened:
- A 1995 attack in a Tokyo subway killed 12 people and injured nearly 5500.
- The recent attacks on the World Trade Center.
- Several cases of anthrax across the country.
The materials are widely available
- Terrorists can use NBC weapons to:
- Produce a large number of victims
- Attack places with symbolic value.
- Attract widespread media attention.
- Cause mass panic and confusion.
Likely targets:
- Stadiums/Sporting Events
- Government Buildings
- Airport Terminals
- Subway Systems
- Shopping Malls
- Industrial Facilities
Nuclear Materials:
Extremely high doses over seconds or minutes may result in:
-
Burned, reddended skin
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nausea, vomiting, diarrhea
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Hair loss
-
Convulsions
-
Unconciousness
Indicators of an attack:
Unless you witness the explosion or hear it, it is unlikely you will know when it happens.
Biological Materials:
Exposure may result in:
-
Coughing, flu-like symtoms
-
Shortness of breath
-
Weakness or fatigue
-
Vomiting
-
Diarrhea
Indicators of an attack:
-
Unusual number of people displaying flu-like symptoms
-
Unusual/unschedulled spraying
-
Abandoned spraying devices
-
Unseasonable illness
-
Several people suffering from food poisoning
-
A terrorist calls and reports an attack
Chemical Materials:
Exposure may result in:
- Pin-pointed pupils and dimness of vision
- Red or irritated eyes, and skin
- Choking and coughing
- Shortness of breath, tightening in chest
- Vomiting and nausea
- Runny nose
- Dizziness or loss of conciousness
- Convulsions or seizures
- Indicators of an attack include:
- Groups of people displaying unusual behavior and signs of exposure
- Abandoned spraying devices
- Unusual fogs, clouds or mists
- Pools of liguid with unusual unidentified source
- Complaints of abnormal odors
- An unusual amount of dead animals, birds or insects
- An explosion
