This section is designed to outline the policies, procedures and security measures in place in case of a biological, chemical or radiological event. Please review the information in this section carefully as it contains important life safety information.

Overview

• Biological, chemical and radiological threats require Property Management staff to make important and informed decisions that can affect the lives and safety of building tenants and visitors. The numbers of casualties from actual threats would depend on several factors, the most important being the potency or size of the weapon and the efficiency of the delivery system. While an incident involving a chemical agent would be quickly noticed, a biological, or radiological attack, may not be noticed for several days. Evidence of such threats can vary. It may appear as a solid, liquid or gas. A biological or radiological agent release is nearly impossible to identify at the time of release.

• Property management encourages everyone to acquaint him or herself with the building’s evacuation plan and shelter-in-place procedures, follow the advice provided, and to educate yourselves as much as possible. The strength of the building’s emergency response plan relies greatly on each individual. It relies on each of you to remain calm; report any suspicious, illegal, or threatening situations; follow procedures; and assist your co- workers.

• The building has developed a comprehensive emergency evacuation plan. In the case of an emergency situation, including one related to a terrorist attack, the local and federal police and health systems would immediately take action. The building will follow the guidance of the police and health officials. Each situation warrants a different response. As the building receives information it will be immediately relayed to the tenants.

• The building will rely on local emergency personnel to administer any necessary medications in response to an emergency situation, including a dirty bomb, biological, chemical, or other attack. These personnel have the medical expertise necessary to diagnose and provide the appropriate treatment in such a situation. The building staff does not have the training to determine whether an unknown substance is actually hazardous and will contact the public agencies each time an unknown substance is found. The building occupant’s concerns regarding either an unknown substance or a potential threat against the building will not be ignored. The management staff will take some action to investigate all concerns and seek assistance, if needed.

• In case of a chemical or biological weapon attack, authorities will instruct you on the best course of action. This may be to evacuate the area immediately, to seek shelter at a designated location, or to take immediate shelter where you are and seal the premises (shelter-in-place).

• The best way to protect yourself is to take emergency preparedness measures ahead of time and to get medical attention as soon as possible, if needed.

Chemical Attack

Chemical warfare agents are poisonous vapors, aerosols, liquids or solids that have toxic effects on people, animals or plants. They can be released by bombs, sprayed from aircraft, boats or vehicles or used as a liquid to create a hazard to people and the environment. Some chemical agents may be odorless and tasteless. They can have an immediate effect (a few seconds to a few minutes) or a delayed effect (several hours to several days). While potentially lethal, chemical agents are difficult to deliver in lethal concentrations. Outdoors, the agents often dissipate rapidly. Chemical agents are also difficult to produce.

Six Types Of Agents:

1. Lung-damaging (pulmonary) agents such as phosgene

2. Cyanide

3. Vesicants or blister agents such as mustard gas

4. Nerve agents such as GA (tabun), GB (sarin), GO (soman), GF and VX

5. Incapacitating agents such as BZ

6. Riot-control agents (similar to MACE)

Following a Chemical Attack

• Immediate symptoms of exposure to chemical agents may include blurred vision, eye irritation, difficulty breathing and nausea. A person affected by a chemical or biological agent requires immediate attention by professional medical personnel.

• If medical help is not immediately available, decontaminate yourself and assist in decontaminating others. Decontamination is needed within minutes of exposure to minimize health consequences. (However, you should not leave the safety of a shelter to go outdoors, to help others until authorities announce it is safe to do so.) Use extreme caution when helping others who have been exposed to chemical agents.

  • Remove all clothing and other items in contact with the body. Contaminated clothing normally removed over the head should be cut off to avoid contact with the eyes, nose and mouth.

  • Put into a plastic bag if possible. Decontaminate hands using soap and water. Remove eyeglasses or contact lenses. Put glasses in a pan of household bleach to decontaminate.

  • Remove all items in contact with the body.

  • Flush eyes with lots of water.

  • Gently wash face and hair with soap and water; then thoroughly rinse with water.

  • Decontaminate other body areas likely to have been contaminated. Blot (do not swab or scrape) with a cloth soaked in soapy water and rinse with clear water.

  • Change into uncontaminated clothes. Clothing stored in drawers or closets is likely to be uncontaminated.

  • If possible, proceed to a medical facility for screening.

Biological Attack

Biological agents are organisms or toxins that can kill or incapacitate people, livestock and crops. The three basic groups of biological agents, which would likely be used as weapons are: Bacteria, Viruses and Toxins.

• Bacteria - Bacteria are small free-living organisms that reproduce by simple division and are easy to grow. The diseases they produce often respond to treatment with antibiotics.

• Viruses - Viruses are organisms, which require living cells to reproduce and are intimately dependent upon the body they infect. Viruses produce diseases, which generally do not respond to antibiotics. However, antiviral drugs are sometimes effective.

• Toxins - Toxins are poisonous substances found in, and extracted from, living plants, animals or micro- organisms; some toxins can be produced or altered by chemical means. Some toxins can be treated with specific antitoxins and selected drugs.

Most biological agents are difficult to grow and maintain. Many break down quickly when exposed to sunlight and other environmental factors, while others such as anthrax spores are very long-lived. They can be dispersed by spraying them in the air or infecting animals that carry the disease to humans as well through food and water contamination.

• Aerosols - Biological agents are dispersed into the air, forming a fine mist that may drift for miles. Inhaling the agent may cause disease in people or animals.

• Animals - Some diseases are spread by insects and animals, such as fleas, mice, flies, and mosquitoes.

• Deliberately spreading diseases through livestock is also referred to as agro-terrorism.

• Food and Water Contamination - Some pathogenic organisms and toxins may persist in food and water supplies. Most microbes can be killed, and toxins are deactivated by cooking food and boiling water.

• Person-to-person spread of a few infectious agents is also possible. Humans have been the source of infection for smallpox, plague and the Lassa viruses.

Following a Biological Attack

In many biological attacks, people will not know they have been exposed to an agent. In such situations, the first evidence of an attack may be when you notice symptoms of the disease caused by an agent exposure, and you should seek immediate medical attention for treatment.

In some situations, like the anthrax letters sent in 2001, people may be alerted to a potential exposure. If this is the case, pay close attention to all official warnings and instructions on how to proceed. The delivery of medical services for a biological event may be handled differently to respond to increased demand. Again, it will be important for you to pay attention to official instructions via radio, television and emergency alert systems.

If your skin or clothing comes in contact with a visible, potentially infectious substance. You should remove and bag your clothes and personal items and wash yourself with warm soapy water immediately. Put on clean clothes and seek medical assistance.

Radiological Attack

• The threat that nuclear weapons are available to terrorist groups around the world demands attention.

• There are two different threats in the area of nuclear terrorism. One is the use of a nuclear bomb. The other is the detonation of conventional explosive incorporating nuclear materials. These are known as radiological dispersal devices or RDD.

• Terrorist groups are unlikely to have nuclear weapons unless they are sponsored by a nation with nuclear capability. It is more likely that terrorists could develop radiological weapons using highly enriched uranium or plutonium wrapped around a conventional explosive. When such a weapon exploded, it would spread radiation in the area of impact, but would not create a nuclear reaction.

• After an RDD attack, it would be difficult to completely decontaminate the environment. The dispersal of radiation would also raise long- term concerns about health issues.

• Because radiation is invisible and the symptoms are not evident immediately, it would be difficult to learn that a radiological attack had taken place without use of a radiation detector.

• A concern is “suitcase” or “briefcase” nuclear bombs. These compact bombs are a concern because they would be innocent looking and easy to carry into a building and position.

• The immediate effects of a nuclear attack are unmistakable: a flash of intense light, followed by a blast of heat and radiation. The secondary effect of radioactive fallout-radioactive airborne and descending particles-is measured by the circumference of the damaged area. The degree of immediate and secondary effects will depend on several factors:

  • The size and type of weapon.

  • The terrain affected.

  • The height of the explosion.

  • The distance from the explosion.

  • Weather conditions (stronger winds will intensify the damage and broaden the affected area).

  • The thickness of protective material between the person and the fallout (e.g., bagged sand or gravel, concrete, bricks, wood, or earth).

  • The amount of time spent in a shelter after the initial explosion.

After a Nuclear Attack

• After the intense heat, rumbling noise, and fallout have noticeably ceased, follow these precautions:

  • Stay indoors for at least the first 24 hours after the initial explosion. This is the most dangerous period when radioactive particles are airborne.

  • Once these particles hit the ground, they decay fairly rapidly, but it is recommended to remain inside the shelter for as long as physically possible to avoid exposure to radiation.

  • Properties that survive such an attack may be radioactively contaminated.

  • Do not drink from community water supplies, which could be contaminated.

  • Be prepared for looting during any evacuation or chaos that might ensue.

  • If you are caught in an unprotected area, you should:

  • Attempt to get up-wind of the contaminated area

  • Attempt to find shelter as quickly as possible.

  • Listen to your radio for official instructions.

Preparing for a Chemical, Biological or Radiological Attack

• Assemble a disaster supply kit and be sure to include:

  • Battery-powered commercial radio with extra batteries.

  • Non-perishable food and drinking water.

  • Roll of duct tape and scissors.

  • Plastic for doors, windows and vents for the room in which you will shelter in place - this should be an internal room where you can block out air that may contain hazardous chemical or biological agents. (To save critical time during an emergency, sheeting should be pre-measured and cut for each opening.)

  • First aid kit with sanitation supplies including soap, water and bleach.

During a Chemical, Biological or Radiological Attack

• Listen to your radio for instructions from authorities such as whether to remain inside or to evacuate. If you are instructed to remain in your home, the building where you are or other shelter during a chemical or biological attack:

  • Turn off all ventilation including furnaces, air conditioners, vents and fans.

  • Seek shelter in an internal room, preferably one without windows. Seal the room with duct tape and plastic sheeting. Ten square feet of floor space per person will provide sufficient air to prevent carbon dioxide build-up for up to five hours.

  • Remain in protected areas where toxic vapors are reduced or eliminated, and be sure to take your battery-operated radio with you.