Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear Terrorism Threat - Case Study Example

 Background With the advent of technological boom and availability of new resources, threats to the British army and other alliance are persistently growing. It is evident that the Al Qaida and correlated terrorist groups have uttered a stern attention in using CBRN. The events of chlorine gas attacks in Iraq have clearly indicated the potential seriousness of the threats. There is always a likelihood of asymmetric attack by terrorists utilizing chemical, biological or radiological weapons has become a reality. The augmentation in mass casualty terrorism and the mounting responsiveness that know-how is progressively more facilitating private performer to have admittance to extremely treacherous Chemical, Biological, Radioactive and Nuclear (CBRN) material has contemplated the issue of CBRN terrorism progressively more important policy question. This developing menace must be considered as a serious issue as it directs our awareness, vigilance, preparation, education and guidance strategies. It is imperative to understand how to deal with the complex risk due to the ambiguity connected with the menace (The Medical NBC Information Server). With the present scenario the successful execution and management necessitates synchronized efforts among stakeholders to influence possessions and proficiency to accomplish synergies in administrating the CRBN Threat. Protection necessitate a multi-dimensional approach. Abstract It is essential to recognize the growing need of awareness towards highly precarious Chemical, Biological, Radioactive and Nuclear (CRBN). It has emerged as a vital policy question. The issue encompass multiple factors and cognitive association between these factors is crucial to understand the preconditions of CBRN terrorism. Lack of appropriate database relating all the factors associated with CBRN terrorism is the need of time. Aim of the Literature Review: The basic aim of the literature review is to recognize contemporary and budding concerns, strategies and approaches in meeting the requirement for CBRN issue, strategies devised to meet the medical associations and management, execution of the planning, security and challenges that are being imposed in front of Armies by chemical, biological, radiation and nuclear terrorism. Strategies must be devised to deal with the management of CBRN causalities. The review of literature is also essential to enunciate the need for training for developing equipped hands to fight with the causalities. All these factors reflect upon the economic burden on the nation's economic conditions. Research Questions: i. What is most likely of the terrorists using CBRN in near future? ii. What is the most likely agent that may be used by the terrorists to attack British Army? iii. What kind of training and Equipments are required to deal with CBRN attacks? Keywords: CBRN- Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear, CW- Chemical Weapons, BTWC- Biological and Toxin Weapons, Incapacitating Agents, Nerve Agents, Contamination and decontamination, Detection and Identification, Weaponisation. Methodology: All the above mentioned key words were used to perform literature survey between January 2000 to April 2009. Introduction: War in any sense brings disaster for life. Human beings are being gifted with the best genetics among all the living inhabitants on the planet. It is a cruel act and against the morals and ethics to adopt means like chemical poisons or biological agents to play with the lives of rivals. It is inhumane to prove supremacy over adversaries by victimizing them through chemical, biological, radiation or nuclear agents. Terrorists are exploiting technological advances for creating panic and also to bring devastating impact on the inhabitants of a particular area or the security services to prove their supremacy in front of the government. The chase and pursuit of Global War against the terrorism is a big issue in front of every nation. The military forces are putting their best to find out the stratagem and intents of the terrorists while the terrorists are exploiting chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear means (The Medical NBC Information Server). Dealing with terrorism is becoming difficult day-by-day as terrorists in today's scenario are equipped with most recent resources to bring fright and catastrophe amongst the mass. History reveals the use of unfair resources to defeat the rival(s). Constant warnings regarding global security threats are being released by the world leaders, media, news agencies, to make people aware about the chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear (CBRN) means or the agents being used as weapons. A recent caution released by U. S commission stating " unless the world community acts decisively and with great urgency, it is more likely than not that a weapon of mass destruction will be used in a terrorist attack somewhere in the world by the end of 2013" (Commission on the prevention of WMD proliferation and terrorism., 2008). The idea creeps into the minds of terrorists through films and also through journalism. It is evident that diseases are caused by the biological agents and if these biological agents find their way into the biological system by deliberate means, it is inhumane and distressing. In the similar manner some chemicals are known to be toxic for the living beings, if such chemicals find their way s into biological system, it is again devastating. Radiations on the other hand are known to directly affect the genes, the basic unit of life and if these radiations are exploited to bring genetic changes and mutation in living organisms then it is upsetting for those who are the protector of mankind especially government and militaries across the world (The Medical NBC Information Server). Review and Classification of the effects of CBRN Agents, by type, upon human health and the environment A. Classification of Chemical agents World War I marked the first use of chemical weapons to bring incapacitation and death. Germans were first to use fragmenting shells with tear gas payloads. This was trailed by use of chlorine as large scale chemical. Cylinders were used to release chlorine. This served as the basis to release other deleterious gases as projectiles. These gases encompassed phosgene, hydrogen cyanide, mustard gas etc. It is evident that to use chemical weapons one requires chemical precursor as well as processing equipment (Terrorist CBRN: Materials and Effects). Complex chemical agent requires an equipment that can proficiently withstand corrosion, high temperatures and pressures. The equipment is devised in the manner that decides the type of chemical agent being used and also the quantity of chemical agent being used. For some chemical weapons the equipment need not be complex e.g. hydrogen cyanide; as compared to the mustard gas which requires complex equipments. Simple aerosols or explosives may release the chemical agents, this eases the dissemination of the chemical agent (Falkenrath et al 1998). Lung damaging agents or Choking Agents: Chemical agents that directly affect the inhalation process by causing inhalation injury, pulmonary oedema are categorized as the choking agents. These agents cause release of fluid from pulmonary capillaries into pulmonary intestitum. This results in "Dry Land Drowning". Phosgene or Carbonyl Chloride belong to this category. COCl2. COCl2 when reacts with water, it forms HCL as well as CO2 as the equation states: COCl2 + H2O = 2HCl + CO2 COCl2 was extensively used during World War I and generated more than 80% of fatalities (Stone, 2007). It is capable of seeking the attention of terrorists due to its availability and manufacture ease. It is produced with Carbon Mono-oxide and Chlorine gas as CO + Cl2 = COCl2 (ΔHrxn = −107.6kJ/mol). Structure as Cyanogens as Blood Agents: Oxygen is the most vital component required by our body, cyanogens prevent its utilization by the body. Cyanogens are taken inside the body through breathing, thus they block the oxygen binding site of the enzyme, cytochrome oxidase, a transferase that is responsible for transferring oxygen to tissues. This implies that oxygen does not find suitable enzyme to bind, impairing respiration process which is fatal for the organism. The intensity is so high that it can potentially kill a human in 1 minute at the concentration as low as 3500ppm. Chemical structure of hydrogen cyanide. Reaction: H+ + NaCN = HCN + Na+ Vesicants or Blister Agents: "The King of the War Gases". It is responsible for more casualties in World War I than any other chemical agent. It causes skin lesions. The group encompasses lewisite (L), methyldichloroarsine (MD), phenyldichloroarsine (PD), and ethyldichloroarsine (ED). They are combined with phosgene and mustard gas to form vesicant agents. The manufacturing ease clubbed with their affectivity is imposing a serious threat for mob by terrorists (Devereaux et al, 2002). Mustard (Sulphur Mustard – mustard Gas) Nerve Agents (NA): Phosphorus derivatives are categorized as nerve agents. Structurally they resemble Organophosphorous compounds, but their presentation in biological system may vary. They are organic phosphorus esters. Organophosphorous esters have general formula as: These agents are antagonists to anticholinergics. The group encompass G agents viz. Tabun (GA) Sarin (GB) Soman (GD) and Cyclosarin (GF). History of terrorist attacks reveal the use of these nerve agents; nerve agents were used by Iraq in Iran/Iraq war (1980s) opposed to general population, the Kurdish town of Halabja. Again in March 1995 terrorist group Aum Shinrikyo used 20% pure Sarin and dispersed Sarin in the Tokyo metro system. Sarin is the combination of dimethyl-methyl phosphonate and phosphorous trichloride. It has a chemical formula as Incapacitate Agents (Centrally –mental and sensory-physical): These agents are the chemicals which are capable of taking away the efficiency of military personnel, although they do not impose permanent harm, but affect the physical and mental capacities. It directly influences the CNS, thereby cause mental incapability while they act as depressants and cause physical distress. They are being dispersed as solid aerosols. One of the major agents used is diphenylaminechlorarsine (Adamsite) (Medical Research and Material Command). (B) Biological Warfare Agents These are the biological agents encompassing micro-organisms, that are capable of causing diseases in humans, plants or animals or they are responsible for deteriorating the material(s). Microbes like Bacillus anthraces (cause anthrax), Yesinia pestis (which causes plague), are the leading microbes that are being used as biological warfare agents. Microbes that are capable of releasing toxin such as Clostridium botulinum and Clostridium tetani are being exploited to produce food poisoning and tetanus amongst the inhabitants of a particular geographical area. With the advances in biotechnology they are being genetically engineered to bring devastating effects in the mob. History reveals the use of biological agents in warfare. In 1346, Kaffa (Now Feodossia), bodies of Tartar soldiers who suffered with plague were thrown over the walls of besieged city, that brought pandemic spread of disease in Europe. On the other hand Russians used cadavers of plague patients to incite an epidemic amongst Sweden in 1710. Further, biological weapon was also used in war between French and Indians (1754 to 1767), in this case the biological agent was small pox virus. Blankets that were used by the patients were left in the enemy's area and thereby effectively killed 95% of the tribal American Indians victimized. During second World War Japan used biological weapons against China (Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases). The contagious nature of microorganisms are being exploited to use them as biological weapons. Once an individual gets the infection, people associated with him/her are liable to get the disease. Thus, microbial population encompassing virus, bacteria, fungi are used as biological weapons. Those potentially virulent or release toxins or bring lethality or are pathogenic serve as the best biological warfare agents. Bioengineering has paved the way for generating still virulent microbes capable of bringing devastating results (Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases). Microbial agents being exploited as Biological Agents encompass: Bacteria Rickettsiae/chlamudiae Virus Toxin Fungi Anthrax Epidemic typhus/Endemic typhus Congo-Crimean Haemorrhagic Fever, Botulinum Toxins Coccidiodomycosis Brucellosis Ebola haemorrhagic Fever Staphylococcal Enterotoxin B Melioidosis Small pox Mycotoxins bacterium Vibrio cholerae Rift Valley Fever Trichothecene Mycotoxins Pneumonic Plague Venexuelan Equine Encephalitis Clostridium perfringens Toxins Tularemia, Saxitoxin Q Fever Ricin Microbial population are capable of affecting lives of people, creating threats among the inhabitants, they directly influence the medical facilities that are available in the nation. They put a great economic burden on the government as lot of medical care funding is required to deal with the devastating biological attacks. Advantages of BW Disadvantage of BW Low cost Likely unstable during preparation, delivery to the target, dissemination and after release Simple technology Difficult to weaponise for mass use Small amounts required Dispersion dependent on weather conditions Self-replication capacity (person to person spread) Infectious to humans, crops and livestock Difficult to detect Need capacity of being produced in sufficient quantity to meet the target requirements Maximum panic and fear Non-selective Overwhelm health infrastructure Variable stability once dispersed Does not damage equipment or physical surroundings Unpredictable effects on target population Terrorists utilizing biological agents to create mayhem and havoc find it advantageous to employ these agents for warfare. It is evident that encapsulated microbes remain in dormant state for years and when they acquire suitable host they bring adversity. The medical preparedness and aids must be adequate to deal with such a situation (Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases). (R) Radiological Weapons Terrorists are now upon using "dirty bomb". It is evident that any kind of radiation exposure affects the tissues directly or the genetic material of the tissues. Radiations are known to cause genetic manipulations or mutations. The major categories of radiations encompass: 1. α particles: They possess large mass, high energy particles but show poor penetration. They could be shielded with the piece of paper. 2. β particles: They possess high energy, can penetrate skin and cause burns. Glass or aluminium foil could shield these particles. Both α and β particles do not impose much danger on the lives of inhabitants. 3. γ radiations: These are electromagnetic waves similar to radio waves and X-rays. They display deeper penetration and thus bring cell or tissue damage. 4. Neutron Radiation: Radiations possess high penetration power. They are capable of bringing contamination to a greater extent. Radiological agents are used as weapons to bring disaster in wide area. Terrorists are using these explosives to spread lasting contamination. Commercial isotopes available encompass ⁹⁹ Tc, ¹³¹I, 137Cs along with depleted U (Medical Research Institute of Chemical Defence). It is apparent that some of the radioactive agents posses enormous half life period and therefore they remain in the environment once they get access to the surroundings or in the living tissues, thus imposing a significant health hazard along with creating contamination of large areas. It is a technological challenge to identify the radioactive agents before they explode to protect the mishap (Perspectives). (N) Nuclear Weapons The Nuclear weapons work in a continuous manner, releasing tremendous amount of energy. This energy if harnessed could run various machineries. As the reaction implies U-235, is known as Highly Enriched Uranium (HEU). The quantity of energy released directly implies the extent of chain reaction. Natural Uranium cannot be used directly to onset the nuclear fission process, but must be enriched to use it as nuclear weapon. Plutonium is generated in the reactor as it does not exist in nature. To acquire Plutonium is unfeasible for the terrorists and therefore they could procure nuclear explosives only if they gain access in national stockpile or if they attain fissile material from these stocks. However, it is difficult for terrorists to obtain nuclear weapons (Medical Research Institute of Chemical Defence). Findings: Why a terrorist group choose to utilize CBRN? Is it really ease and convenient for any terrorist group to utilize CBRN? Which group of terrorist might use CBRN? What is the possibility of impact being caused by the use of CBRN? Which type of weapon amongst CBRN is likely to be used more? What kind of preparations a nation should make to deal with the causalities that occur as a result of terrorist attacks? To what extent medical facilities of a nation are proficient in safeguarding biological and nuclear weapons so as to protect the mass from hazardous and lasting impacts? Although terrorists are using chemical and biological weapons to a greater extent. Attacks in the last two decades witness the use of conventional weapons. Sarin attack by Aum Shinrikyo's group (1995) in Tokyo and Bin Laden is also using chemical weapons or biological toxins. Literature Review: Why any terrorist group would like to opt for CBRN? It is human psychology to get attention. Terrorists seek government attention to fulfil their demands as government work for the people of the nation, they victimize common man so as to create distrust over the government of the nation. CBRN attacks directly influence the economy of the country so terrorists are exploiting these resources to have their say. Although procuring and utilizing CBRN is a tedious task but terrorists search for the loop holes in the security systems and try hard to procure CBRN resources. Creation of CBRN require skill and knowledge about the technology. Despite the fact, terrorists are accessing all the required information through internet and websites, through published work, citations and research articles (Harris, 1994). Amalgamation of knowledge and integration of technological know-how is the requisite of terrorists in the present scenario, the technical knowledge is procured from the college science classes and practical's that are conducted for science (Medical Research Institute of Chemical Defence). On the other hand modern weapons require skill and knowledge of machinery on which the weapon is based which is still not available in developing countries, e.g. high speed switches are required to detonate nuclear devices. It is therefore essential for any terrorist group to have a firm base in a nation that holds global economy as big trade offers ample of opportunities to terrorists to hide their materials in shipments (Medical Research Institute of Chemical Defence). What is the rationale behind mass casualty attacks? To display the bargaining capabilities, terrorists impose causality attacks. To seek public attention terrorists execute CBRN attacks. To display their power and command over the latest technical Know-how in front of the government and also in front of the world, terrorists display such acts. Discussion It is imperative for the military personnel to prevent CBRN attacks by the terrorists. The rationale behind terrorist attacks is to seek the government and public attention and to prove their supremacy. It becomes imperative for the security and armies of the nation(s) to be alert to deactivate such mal-intentioned use of chemical agents, biological agents, radioactive agents and also the nuclear agents. It is essential for the militaries to organize counter-chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear operations. With the advances in technology skilled hands are required to cope with the proliferating CBRN weapons, as it is a major security menace across the countries in the world. It is evident that use of CBRN weapons by terrorists could diminish efficiency of sociable forces and generate serious political and psychological ramifications inconsistent to the corporeal bang on military operations. It is the need of time that Commanders measure and sketch for the effects of CBRN weapons across the complete variety of military procedures. This requires an evaluation and appraisal of terrorists capabilities and objective to make use of CBRN weapons. Appropriate planning, education, training, preparation and close synchronization between services, government and civilians is desired to cope with the issue. Massive trained, equipped and exercised forces may put off a terrorist or a group of terrorists from occupying CBRN weapons. Counter-CBRN or C-CBRN operations encompass deeds taken to perceive, discourage, disorder, contradict or demolish any terrorist's CBRN capabilities and to curtail the effects of an opponent CBRN attack. These operational- rank columns sustain the overarching management, in the form of military assignment spots (Terrorist CBRN: Materials and Effects). A Joint Doctrine for Combating Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD) and National Strategy to Combat WMD offers a optical representation of the affiliations between the diverse job areas and functioning supports. Dual use of technology and small quantity required for a strategic effect formulate chemical weapons construction and capabilities enormously complicated. Biological weapons may be created using small-scale, in-home procedures or large scale pharmaceutical or fermentation amenities. Thus, as in the midst of chemical weapons, biological weapon creation and propagation can be challenging to distinguish as even small amounts have potentially extensive effects (Terrorist CBRN: Materials and Effects). Radiological sources inflict an enormous harm in both cases whether personnel is in direct contact or not. Radiological sources have enough prospective to bring harm to life. It is not possible to counterbalance or disinfect radiological agents as in the case of chemical and biological weapons respectively. Although radiation illness is not communicable but it imposes cross contamination. If appropriate technical measures are not adopted it results in devastation. Protection from radiological agents encompasses shelter against inhalation of radiological contaminants, defence through radiological shields (Weaver, 1998). Besides bringing the devastating damage to personnel, apparatus, and arrangements from explosion, temperature, and emission effects, nuclear weapons can bring enormous annihilation and interruption to electronic infrastructure. Whilst engaged to optimize the electromagnetic pulse, any nuclear apparatus bring calamitous effects to vulnerable crucial and susceptible arrangements. Emerging Bio-threats: Advances in biotechnology including nano-biotechnology provides great benefits to the mankind. Biotechnology has emerged as the game-changing technology of 21st century. Manipulation of genetic material, the DNA, synthesizing the desired characteristics in the organism and eliminating the undesired characters is the key role being played by biotechnology. With the aid and tools of biotechnology microbes are exploited to manipulate genes of eukaryotes. This techniques is being exploited to manufacture drugs and vaccines by pharmaceutical companies across the world. The microbial; population is exploited for biofuel generation. Nano-biotechnology further strengthens the use of microbes for transforming biosystems. Nano-biotechnology has paved the way for enhanced diagnostics, therapeutics and vaccines as well as target drug delivery. Constant research and use of chemicals is required to create the desired organism. The artificially created or genetically manipulated organisms could be hazardous to the environment. Such organisms are being exploited by the terrorists to use them as CBRN material. It is evident that drugs designed to kill cancer cells may also kill the healthy cells this drug is being exploited by the terrorist to be used as CBRN weapon. Research also claim that it is possible to generate small viruses like polio and influenza virus to bring pandemic in the population, and with the advances in technology it is possible to manipulate DNA by means of genetic engineering to enhance virulence, environmental resistance and transmission ability of the organism, all these process further paves the way for bio weapons. Although to reach the far fetching implications of these hazardous, much more intense research is required. It is therefore essential for the scientists across the globe to keep the impact of their research in concern especially if their created biological agents could serve as a bio hazard. Research should be beneficial for living beings and not to bring disaster (National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health). Solutions Required History reveals the use of CBRN in wars, but current situation portrays their exploitation in terrorism to bring catastrophic impact. Organizations like NPT and BWC are coming up with their plans and reforms to counter such measures, but constant modifications and amendments in the policies is still desired. Newer international efforts such as United Nations Security Council Resolution 1540 (2004) and the 2005 Nuclear Terrorism Convention, to enact controls to prevent harmful non-state CBRN activities, are moves in the right direction. Universal and comprehensive implementation is desired to eliminate the likelihood of such attacks (National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health). Conclusion Although, it is not possible to approximate the exact possibility of mob causality terrorist assault by means of CBRN materials. It is also not possible to predict when and how the next attack is going to happen, this serves as a reason for the growing threats among the mass. In most of the cases there attacks are without warning and mass is generally unaware of these attacks. The article highlights what kind of CBRN have been used in past and also the implications that has been brought. It is the requirement of present epoch to be alert, equipped with all the measures to recognize, put off, disorder, cancel out or destroy any terrorist's CBRN capabilities. At the same time it is essential to be equipped with all kinds of medical aids. Medical preparedness is the most imperative task that nation should take as a serious issue. Well equipped team of medical personnel is desired; this team should be trained especially to fight with the catastrophe being imposed by CBRN armaments. On the other hand armies must be alert to destroy and disorder any weapon before it reaches its mission and bring disaster. Reference 1. Commission on the prevention of WMD proliferation and terrorism., 2008. World at Risk. New York: Vintage Books, P, XV. 2. Central Intelligence Agency: CBR Incident Handbook. Available at http://www.cia.gov/cia/reports/cbr-handbook/cbrbook.html. 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