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No one wants to think about a terrorist attack but it is important to be prepared just in case such an event happens. This page provides information to help protect emergency responders in the event of a terrorist attacks. It links to information on response to the World Trade Center attacks. This page also offers access to information on other important elements of a terrorism response such as Safeguarding Building Ventilation, Bloodborne Infectious Disease, Chemical Hazards and Anthrax.
Safety Management
Protecting Emergency Responders, Safety Management in Disaster and Terrorism Response
NIOSH and RAND produced four reports in a series. The first three reports provide recommendations and the need for research, training and other strategic approaches to help protect emergency responders in terrorist attacks. The fourth report is a technical source for incident commander guidelines for emergency response immediately following large structural collapse events. Each individual report can be accessed using the following links:
World Trade Center
NIOSH Safety and Health Topic: World Trade Center Response
Currently, NIOSH funds programs to provide medical screening, monitoring, and treatment for responders who served at the WTC site. Links to information about the NIOSH response, and World Trade Center health resources, can be found here.
Safeguarding Building Ventilation
NIOSH Guidance for Filtration and Air-Cleaning Systems to Protect Building Environments from Airborne Chemical, Biological, or Radiological Attacks (78 pgs)
NIOSH Pub No. 2003-136
Provides preventive measures, recommendations, air-cleaning principles, and economic considerations for building owners and managers to implement to protect building air environments from a terrorist release of chemical, biological, or radiological contaminants.
NIOSH Guidance for Protecting Building Environments from Airborne Chemical, Biological, or Radiological Attacks (40 pgs)
NIOSH Pub. No. 2002-139
Identifies actions and recommendations as well as information on things not to do; physical security; ventilation and filtration; and maintenance, administration, and training for building owners or managers to quickly implement to enhance occupant protection from an airborne chemical, biological, or radiological attack.
Bloodborne Infectious Disease
NIOSH Emergency Responder Bloodborne Infectious Disease Page
Provides links to resources and guidelines including engineering controls and work practices to help workers prevent exposure to blood and other body fluids.
Chemical Hazards
NIOSH Emergency Response Chemical Hazards Page
Chemical agent information is needed for workers to appropriately plan for risks resulting from possible chemical incidents. Several organizations have developed information databases, including short-term and long-term criteria, each with specific purposes, exposure scenarios, and severity of adverse health effects considered in their development.
Anthrax
NIOSH Comprehensive Procedures for Collecting Environmental Samples for Culturing Bacillus anthracis- Revised April 2002 (13 pgs)
Plan for Investigating Environmental Contamination, Methods for bulk, sterile swab, surface wipe, HEPA vacuum, and air sampling
Recommendations for the Selection and Use of Respirators and Protective Clothing for Protection Against Biological Agents
NIOSH Publication Number 2009-132
This document is based on current understanding of the potential agents and existing recommendations for biological aerosols and is oriented toward acts of terrorism.
Guidance on Initial Responses to a Suspicious Letter/Container With a Potential Biological Threat (6 pages)
Guidelines for local responders, based on existing procedures, on the initial response to letters, packages, or containers containing suspicious powders, liquids, or other materials. Developed by HHS/CDC, FBI, & DHS.
Antimicrobial Prophylaxis to Prevent Anthrax Among Decontamination/Cleanup Workers Responding to an Intentional Distribution of Bacillus anthracis (1pg)
CDC provides recommendations for decontamination/cleanup workers working in environments known to be contaminated with Bacillus anthracis spores and who may be at risk for inhalation to anthrax.
Occupational Health Guidelines for Remediation Workers at Anthrax Contaminated Sites
MMWR, September 6, 2002 / 51(35);786-789
Explains CDC guidelines to provide medical protection for current and future workers responsible for making B. anthracis-contaminated buildings safe for others to enter and occupy.
Notice to Readers: Use of Anthrax Vaccine in Response to Terrorism: Supplemental Recommendations of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices
MMWR November 15, 2002 / 51(45);1024-1026
Supplemental recommendations fro ACIP to its original 2000 recommendations for using anthrax vaccine in the U.S.
Use of Anthrax Vaccine in the United States: Recommendations of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices
MMWR December 15, 2000 / 49(RR15);1-20
Recommendations from ACIP on immunization practices related to use of an Anthrax vaccine in the U.S.
Bioterrorism-Related Inhalational Anthrax: The First 10 Cases Reported in the United States
Emerging Infectious Diseases Vol. 7, No. 6 — November-December 2001
An epidemiologic investigation into the first 10 confirmed cases (that took place from October 4 to November 2, 2001) of inhalational anthrax caused by intentional release of Bacillus anthracis identified in the United States.
Protecting Investigators Performing Environmental Sampling for Bacillus anthracis: Personal Protective Equipment (1pg)
Document details the personal protective equipment needed by workers conducting environmental sampling that places them at risk for exposure to Bacillus anthracis, the organism causing anthrax.
Protecting Workers from Anthrax Infection- Response from NIOSH (2 pgs)
NIOSH Pub. No. 2002-142
Summary of NIOSH efforts to develop sampling procedures, recommend effective interim protective measures, safeguard workers, assess the effectiveness of decontamination, and disseminate information in the aftermath of the October 2001, anthrax attacks.
OSHA Anthrax E-Tools
External Link: http://www.osha.gov/SLTC/etools/anthrax/index.html
Provides information on anthrax, including its potential impact on the workforce, and development and implementation of emergency action plans.
Anthrax in the Workplace: Risk Reduction Matrix (OSHA)
External Link: http://www.osha.gov/dep/anthrax/matrix/index.html
Advice for employers in assessing risks, suggestions for protective equipment and safe work practices.
Mail Handlers
NIOSH Irradiated Mail Topic Page
Contains information on OPM reports and Health Hazard Evaluations conducted in response to requests from postal employees, federal workers, and Congressional employees.
CDC Interim Recommendations for Protecting Workers from Exposure to Bacillus anthracis in Work Sites Where Mail Is Handled or Processed
Guidance for implementing engineering, administrative, and housekeeping controls; advice for mail workers.
Evaluation of Bacillus anthracis Contamination Inside the Brentwood Mail Processing and Distribution Center --- District of Columbia, October 2001
MMWR December 21, 2001 / 50(50);1129-1133
This report describes the results of CDC's evaluation of B. anthracis in the Brentwood Mail facility, which showed widespread contamination of the facility and suggest that wipe samples and high efficiency particulate air (HEPA) vacuum samples complement each other in assessing contamination.
Responding to Detection of Aerosolized Bacillus anthracis by Autonomous Detection Systems in the Workplace
MMWR April 30, 2004 / 53
Examines the development and use of Autonomous detection systems (ADS) to detect agents of biologic and chemical terror in the environment. These systems will eventually be able to detect biologic and chemical hazards reliably and provide approximate real-time alerts that an agent is present.
Page last updated: April 13, 2009
Page last reviewed: April 14, 2009
Content Source: National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)
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Terrorism Response
