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Comprehensive
Glossary of Terms
for Nuclear, Biological and Chemical
Section 1 � Introduction
1-1. Background
In this era of the sophisticated and
complex, integrated battlefield, the threat of
asymmetric warfare by opposing (national or
terrorist) forces using Weapons of Mass Destruction
(WMD) has become a very real issue. The number of
nations capable of developing and possessing WMD is
steadily increasing. Furthermore, the potential for
the use of WMD can range from conflict, national
war, or acts of terrorism and blackmail. The
contingencies necessary to protect U.S. and Allied
Forces have never been more important than they are
today, especially in the area of design and fielding
of Nuclear, Biological and Chemical (NBC) defense
equipment.
Our forces must be able to survive,
fight, and win in an NBC-contaminated warfare
environment. While the U.S. Forces remain the
best-protected forces in the world for surviving and
conducting operations in an NBC-contaminated
environment, NBC warfare is not an area that
healthcare providers are willingly familiar with.
After Operation Desert Shield/Desert Storm, it
became obvious that healthcare providers knew little
about the effects of NBC agents or the medical
defense against them. However, through education
medical professionals have learned that medical
defenses are possible and effective, that NBC
casualties can be saved and returned to duty, and
that mortality can be minimized. There are several
ongoing initiatives directed at evaluating the
health hazards, integrating human systems, and
executing plans on potential materials and prototype
pieces of equipment.
1-2. Purpose
Our national leaders take the global
NBC threat seriously. The threat of WMD is real, and
the potential for devastating casualties is high for
NBC agents. The U.S. Army Center for Health
Promotion and Preventive Medicine (USACHPPM) has
developed this Glossary to serve as a tool in
providing an explanation of the terms, definitions,
and the technical semantics associated with the
discussion of NBC equipment, agents, and their
potential effects.
1-3. Scope
The NBC threat will continue in
planning for future conflicts as well as domestic
and International terrorism. It is critical not only
for our military to understand the threat of WMD,
their impact on tactical operations, and the
required preparations for managing casualties but
for Federal, state, and local planners, first
responders, and medical professionals to understand
the WMD threat to civilian populations as well. This
Glossary is meant to be available to a wide audience
of readers, to include those who will plan and
develop new concepts and systems as well as those
who may be called upon to implement plans and
systems in response to the use of WMD. By including
terms relevant to the diverse backgrounds of users
of this document, some terms may not be applicable
to a particular group of readers but may still be of
benefit by enhancing understanding of the
terminology associated with the different aspects of
WMD threats, impacts, responses and solutions. For
the ease of the reader, the guide has been broken
down into separate sections for General, Nuclear,
Biological, and Chemical terminology.
Section 2 �
General Terms
Absorption
The process of a substance penetrating into or
through another substance or medium. The uptake and
entry of a substance through intact skin, eyes, or
linings of the body (e.g., ingestion or once the
substance has entered the lungs).
Acceptable Daily Intake (ADI)
An estimate of the dose resulting from exposure to a
toxicant that is likely to be without harmful effect
even if continued exposure occurs over a lifetime.
Acceptable Intake for Chronic
Exposure (AIC)
An estimate similar in concept to the reference dose
but derived using a less strictly defined
methodology. Chronic reference doses have replaced
acceptable intake for chronic exposures as the
USACHPPM preferred values for use in evaluating
potential non-carcinogenic health effects resulting
from chronic exposure to a chemical.
Acceptable Intake for Sub-chronic
Exposure (AIS)
An estimate similar in concept to the sub-chronic
reference dose but derived using a less strictly
defined methodology. Sub-chronic reference doses
have replaced acceptable intake for sub-chronic
exposures as the USACHPPM preferred values for use
in evaluating potential non-carcinogenic health
effects resulting from sub-chronic exposure to a
chemical.
Accuracy
The discrepancy between the true value and the
result obtained by measurement.
Acute Effects
Effects that arise quickly and have a relatively
short, severe course.
Acute Exposure
Single or multiple
exposure(s) to a substance for less than 24 hours.
Acute Toxicity
A term used to describe
immediate and severe toxicity. Its use is associated
with toxic effects that are severe (e.g., mortality)
in contrast to the term �sub-chronic toxicity,�
which is associated with toxic effects that are less
severe.
Adult
An individual 18 or more years of age.
Adsorption
The adhesion of a substance to the surface of
another solid or liquid.
Adverse Effect
A biochemical change, functional impairment, or
pathological lesion that impairs performance and
reduces the ability of the organism to respond to
additional challenges.
Adverse Effect Level (AEL)
An exposure level at which there are statistically
or biologically significant increases in frequency
or severity of harmful effects between the exposed
population and its appropriate control group.
Aerosol
A suspension of finely divided liquid or solid
particles suspended in a gaseous form. They are
solid or liquid substances classified as dusts,
fumes, smokes, mists, and fogs according to their
physical nature, particle size, and method of
generation. Particle size may vary from 100
micrometers (m) to 0.01 in diameter.
Airborne Exposure Limits
These are allowable concentrations in the air for
occupational and general population exposures.
Air Sampling
This sampling involves the collection and analysis
of samples of air to measure its radioactivity or to
detect the presence of radioactive substances,
particulate matter or chemical pollutants.
American Conference of Governmental
Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH)
Membership includes practitioners in industrial
hygiene, occupational health, environmental health,
or safety. The ACGIH has 12 technical committees for
a range of topics: agriculture safety and health,
air sampling instruments and procedures,
bio-aerosols, biological exposure indices, computer
technology, construction, industrial ventilation,
infectious agents, small business, chemical
substance threshold limit values, and physical agent
threshold limit values. Through the efforts of the
committees, ACGIH provides information and
recommended practices to industrial hygienists
worldwide.
http://www.acgih.org/home.htm
Anecdotal Data
Data based on descriptions
of individual cases rather than on controlled
studies.
Annual Basis or Annually
Annual basis or annually should be from the month of
the current year to the same month of the following
year. However, the time period will not exceed 13
months. This does not apply to items covered under
the Army Maintenance Management System.
Antidote
Any substance or other agent that inhibits or
counteracts the effects of a poison.
Aplasia
Lack of development of an organ or tissue.
Attack
Any act or series of acts by an enemy causing
substantial damage or injury to property or persons
in any manner by sabotage or by the use of bombs,
shellfire, or atomic, radiological, chemical or
biological means or other processes.
Availability (Operational)
A measure of the degree to which a system is either
operating or is capable of operating at any time
when used in its typical operational and support
environment.
Blast Effects
When a high explosive detonates, the solid or liquid
explosive material is converted into mostly gaseous
product. These extremely hot gases expand
immediately and compress the air around the charge
to form a blast wave.
BTU
A British thermal unit. The amount of heat required
changing the temperature of one pound of water one
degree Fahrenheit at sea level.
Carcinogen
A chemical substance known to cause cancer (i.e.,
malignant tumors) in experimental animals and/or
man. Four types of responses are generally accepted
as evidence�
a. An increase in incidence of
the tumor types that occur in controls.
b. The development of tumors
earlier than in controls.
c. The occurrence of tumor types
not observed in controls.
d. Two or more tumors of
independent origin in one individual.
Carcinogen Classification Schemes
a. American Conference of Governmental
Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH) -
-
A1 - Confirmed Human Carcinogen:
The agent is carcinogenic to humans based on the
weight of evidence from epidemiological studies
of, or convincing clinical evidence in, exposed
humans.
-
A2 - Suspected Human
Carcinogen: The agent is carcinogenic in
experimental animals at dose levels, by route(s)
of administration, at site(s), of histological
type(s) or by mechanism(s) that are not
considered relevant to worker exposure.
Available epidemiological studies are
conflicting or insufficient to confirm an
increased risk of cancer in exposed humans.
-
A3 - Animal Carcinogen:
The agent is carcinogenic in experimental
animals at a relatively high dose, by route(s)
of administration, at site(s), of histological
type(s), or by mechanism(s) that are not
considered relevant to worker exposure.
Available epidemiological studies do not confirm
an increased risk of cancer in exposed humans.
Available evidence suggests that the agent is
not likely to cause cancer in humans except
under uncommon or unlikely routes or levels of
exposure.
-
A4 - Not Classifiable as a
Human Carcinogen: There are inadequate data
on which to classify the agent in terms of its
carcinogenicity in humans and/or animals.
-
A5 - Not Suspected as a Human
Carcinogen: The agent is not suspected to be
a human carcinogen on the basis of properly
conducted epidemiological studies in humans.
These studies have sufficiently long follow-up,
reliable exposure histories, sufficiently high
dosage, and adequate statistical power to
conclude that exposure to the agent does not
convey a significant risk of cancer to humans.
Evidence suggesting a lack of carcinogenicity in
experimental animals will be considered if
supported by other relevant data. Substances
for which no human or experimental animal
carcinogenic data have been reported are
assigned no carcinogen designation.
b. U.S. Environmental Protection
Agency (USEPA)�
-
Group A - Human Carcinogen:
Sufficient evidence in epidemiological studies
to support causal association between exposure
and cancer.
-
Group B - Probable Human
Carcinogen: Limited evidence in
epidemiological studies (Group B1) and/or
sufficient evidence from animal studies (Group
B2).
-
Group C - Possible Human
Carcinogen: Limited to equivocal evidence
from animal studies and inadequate or no data in
humans.
-
Group D - Not Classified:
Inadequate or no human and animal evidence of
carcinogenicity.
-
Group E - No Evidence of
Carcinogenicity for Humans: No evidence of
carcinogenicity in at least two adequate animal
tests in different species or in adequate
epidemiological and animal studies.
c. International Agency for Research
for Cancer (IARC)�
-
Group 1 - The agent (mixture)
is carcinogenic to humans. The exposure
circumstance entails exposures that are
carcinogenic to humans. This category is used
when there is sufficient evidence of
carcinogenicity in humans. Exceptionally, an
agent (mixture) may be placed in this category
when evidence in humans is less than sufficient;
however, there may be sufficient evidence of
carcinogenicity in experimental animals and
strong evidence in exposed humans that the agent
(mixture) acts through a relevant mechanism of
carcinogenicity.
-
Group 2 - This category
includes agents, mixtures, and exposure
circumstances for which, at one extreme, the
degree of evidence of carcinogenicity in humans
is almost sufficient, as well as those for
which, at the other extreme, there are no human
data but for which there is evidence of
carcinogenicity in experimental animals. Agents,
mixtures, and exposure circumstances are
assigned to either Group 2A (probably
carcinogenic to humans) or Group 2B (possibly
carcinogenic to humans) on the basis of
epidemiological and experimental evidence of
carcinogenicity and other relevant data.
-
Group 2A - The agent (mixture)
is probably carcinogenic to humans. The
exposure circumstance entails exposures that are
probably carcinogenic to humans. This category
is used when there is limited evidence of
carcinogenicity in humans and sufficient
evidence of carcinogenicity in experimental
animals. In some cases, an agent (mixture) may
be classified in this category when there is
inadequate evidence of carcinogenicity in humans
but sufficient evidence of carcinogenicity in
experimental animals and strong evidence that
the carcinogenesis is mediated by a mechanism
that also operates in humans. Exceptionally, an
agent, mixture, or exposure circumstance may be
classified in this category solely on the basis
of limited evidence of carcinogenicity in
humans.
-
Group 2B - The agent (mixture)
is possibly carcinogenic to humans. The
exposure circumstance entails exposures that are
possibly carcinogenic to humans. This category
is used for agents, mixtures, and exposure
circumstances for which there is limited
evidence of carcinogenicity in humans and less
than sufficient evidence of carcinogenicity in
experimental animals. It may also be used when
there is inadequate evidence of carcinogenicity
in humans but sufficient evidence of
carcinogenicity in experimental animals. In some
instances, an agent, mixture, or exposure
circumstance for which there is inadequate
evidence of carcinogenicity in humans but
limited evidence of carcinogenicity in
experimental animals, together with supporting
evidence from other relevant data, may be placed
in this group.
-
Group 3 - The agent (mixture
of exposure circumstance) is not classifiable as
to its carcinogenicity to humans. This
category is used most commonly for agents,
mixtures, and exposure circumstances for which
the evidence of carcinogenicity is inadequate in
humans and inadequate or limited in experimental
animals. Exceptionally, agents (mixtures) for
which the evidence of carcinogenicity is
inadequate in humans but sufficient in
experimental animals may be placed in this
category when there is strong evidence that the
mechanism of carcinogenicity in experimental
animals do not operate in humans. Agents,
mixtures, and exposure circumstances that do not
fall into any other group are also placed in
this category.
-
Group 4 - The agent (mixture)
is probably not carcinogenic to humans. This
category
is used for
agents or mixtures for which there is
evidence-suggesting lack of carcinogenicity
in humans and in experimental animals. In some
instances, agents or mixtures for which there is
inadequate evidence of carcinogenicity in humans
but evidence suggesting lack of carcinogenicity
in experimental animals, consistently and
strongly supported by a broad range of other
relevant data, may be classified in this group.
Carcinogenicity
The potential for development of cancer in a living
individual. A cancer is a malignant tumor resulting
from a change in the normal growth and development
of cells. (Cancerous tumors have the tendency to
invade surrounding tissue and spread to other sites
in the body.)
Casualty
Any person who is lost to the organization by reason
of having been declared dead, wounded, injured,
diseased, interned, captured, retained, missing,
missing in action, beleaguered, besieged, or
detained.
CBRNE
Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear, and
Explosives. This term is used in reference to
Homeland Security Issues. (See Homeland Security.)
Ceiling Limit
An airborne concentration of a substance that should
not be exceeded.
Ceiling Value
Normally refers to the maximum exposure
concentration at any time, for any
duration. Practically, it may be an average value
over the minimum time required to detect the
specified concentration.
Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention (CDC)
The CDC is recognized as the lead Federal agency for
protecting the health and safety of people, at home
and abroad, providing credible information to
enhance health decisions, and promoting health
through strong partnerships. The CDC serves as the
national focus for developing and applying disease
prevention and control, environmental health, and
health promotion and education activities designed
to improve the health of the people of the U.S. (See
the Department of Health and Human Services
(DHHS).)
http://www.cdc.gov/aboutcdc.htm
Central Nervous System (CNS)
The part of the human nervous system that consists
of the brain and spinal cord. Sensory impulses are
transmitted and motor impulses pass out. The CNS
supervises and coordinates the activity of the
entire nervous system.
Cerebral Anoxia
Absence of oxygen supply to the brain despite
adequate perfusion of the tissue by blood.
ChE
Cholinesterase. This is an enzyme that catalyzes the
hydrolysis of acetocholine to choline (a vitamin)
and acetic acid.
ChE50
The dosage producing 50 percent ChE inhibition in
the given population. (Note that the ChE50
is not a dosage that produces this
effect in 50 percent of the given population.)
Chemical Abstracts Service (CAS)
CAS is a producer of comprehensive databases of
chemical information. Their principal databases,
Chemical Abstracts (CA) and REGISTRY, now include
about 15 million document records and more than 23
million substance records respectively. CAS also
produces databases of chemical reactions,
commercially available chemicals, listed regulated
chemicals and compounds claimed in patents.
Chemical/Biological Incident Response
Force (CBIRF)
This is a Marine strategic organization. It is
manned, trained, and equipped to counter the growing
chemical/biological terrorist threat. This response
force will respond to chemical or biological
incidents worldwide, when directed by the National
Command Authority, to assist local civilian and
military agencies in order to assist the on-scene
commander in providing initial post-incident
consequence management. This Force deploys to
incident locations by the most expeditious means
possible, where they will coordinate initial relief
efforts, provide security and area isolation at the
affected site; detection, identification and
decontamination; expert medical advice and
assistance to local medical authorities; and service
support assistance as required.
Chemical Stockpile Emergency
Preparedness Program (CSEPP)
The U.S. Congress directed that the Army destroy
certain kinds of chemical weapons stockpiled at
eight U.s. Army installations within the continental
U.S. The CSEPP was started in 1988 to enhance the
emergency preparedness of the communities around the
chemical stockpile (until the stockpile is
destroyed) by developing emergency plans and
providing chemical accident response equipment,
training and warning systems. The CSEPP includes
Army, Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA),
state and local emergency management officials.
Chronic Effects
These are effects that persist over a long period of
time. These effects may arise after months or years,
may have a long course ranging from relatively mild
to severe, or may arise immediately after exposure.
Chronic Exposure
These are multiple or continuous
exposures occurring over an extended period of time
or a significant fraction of an individual's
lifetime.
Chronic Reference Dose (RfD)
An estimate (with uncertainty spanning perhaps an
order of magnitude or greater) of a daily exposure
level for the human population, including sensitive
subpopulations, that is likely to be without an
appreciable risk of harmful effects during a
lifetime. Chronic RfDs are specifically developed to
be protective for long-term exposure to a compound
(as a Superfund program guideline, seven years to
lifetime).
Chronic Study
A toxicity study designed to measure the effects
(toxic) of chronic exposure to a chemical.
Chronic Toxicity
Effects that persist over a long period of time
whether or not they occur immediately or are
delayed. The term "chronic toxicity" is often
confused with the term of chronic exposure and is
often used to describe delayed toxicity.
cm
Centimeter
Code of Federal Regulations (CFR)
The Code is a consolidation and codification by
subject matter of the general and permanent laws of
the U.S.
Collective Protection
A shelter, with filtered air, that provides a
contamination free working environment for selected
personnel and allows relief from continuous wear of
protective gear.
Combat Developer (COMDEV)
The command or organization responsible for
formulating concepts doctrine, organization,
materiel objectives, requirements, and user tests
and evaluations.
Compound
A chemical combination of two or more elements
combined in a fixed and definite proportion by
weight.
Comprehensive Environmental Response,
Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA)
This act was enacted into law in 1980, and its
follow-up amendment, the Superfund Amendments and
Reauthorization Act (SARA), was passed in 1986.
These two laws establish a series of programs for
the cleanup of hazardous waste disposal and spill
sites nationwide CERCLA and SARA also establish
cleanup programs for inactive and abandoned
hazardous waste sites. CERCLA and SARA are
administered by the USEPA in cooperation with
individual states and site owners. CERCLA also
enabled the revision of the National Contingency
Plan (NCP).
http://www.epa.gov/superfund/action/law/cercla.htm
Concentration (C)
The total quantity of substance present in a given
unit volume (of gas or liquid). It may be expressed
in any unit or mass per unit of volume such as
milligrams per cubic meter (mg/m3),
grams per Liter (g/L), or as volume per volume such
as parts per million (ppm).
Congestion
The excessive or abnormal accumulation of blood in a
tissue or organ.
Contaminant
An impurity in water, soil, materials, etc.
Contaminate
To make impure by contact or mixture into water,
soil, materials, etc.
Contamination
Any deposit, adsorption, or absorption of
radioactive, biological, or chemical substances on
and by structures, areas, personnel, objects, soil,
and water. Food and/or water made unfit for human or
animal consumption by the presence of radioactive,
biological, or chemical substances.
Continuous Exposure Guidance Level
(CEGL)
The ceiling concentrations designed to avoid adverse
health effects, either immediate or delayed, of more
prolonged exposures and to avoid degradation in
growth performance that might endanger the
objectives of a particular mission as a consequence
of continuous exposure for up to 90 days.
Convection
The transfer of heat through a liquid or gas by the
actual movement of the molecules.
Convulsion
An abnormal violent and involuntary contraction or
series of contractions of the voluntary muscles.
Coronary
Pertaining to the heart.
Criterion
A standard that represents the best scientific
estimate of an environmental concentration of a
contaminant corresponding to a given level of
hazard, which, in the case of non-cancer toxicity,
represents a level that is not expected to cause
additional health risk.
Ct
This means
concentration times time. Note that Ct k, a
2-minute exposure to a concentration of 100 mg/m3
(Ct = 200 milligram-minutes per cubic meter
(mg-min/m3)), does NOT necessarily produce the same
toxicological effects as a 50-minute exposure to a
concentration of 4 mg/m3 (Ct = 200 mg-min/m3).
Ct Value
A measure of vapor or gas exposure by inhalation. It
is a product of the concentration usually expressed
in mg/m3
and duration of exposure (t) in minutes. The
resulting (and somewhat confusing units) is
mg-min/m3. It is important to recognize that this is
not simple algebra; predictions of toxic effects
should never be extrapolated more than twice, or
less than half, known toxic exposure data. (Exposure
to 1 mg/m3 for 20 minutes; 2 mg/m3 for 10 minutes;
or 4 mg/m3 for 5 minutes is all valid extrapolations
of 2-minute exposure data. All three equate to a Ct
of 20 mg-min/m3.
Cutaneous
Pertaining to the skin.
Cytokine
A non-antibody protein released by one cell
population that acts as an intercellular mediator on
another cell population(s).
Data Quality Objectives
A quantitative or qualitative statement that
clarifies study, technical, and quality objectives,
defines the appropriate type of data, and specifies
potential decision errors that will be used as the
basis for establishing the quality and quantity of
data needed to support decisions.
Data Quality Assessment
The scientific and statistical evaluation of data to
determine if data are of the right type, quality,
and quantity to support the intended use.
Decontaminate
To breakdown, neutralize, or remove a radioactive,
chemical, or biological substance that poses a
hazard to personnel or equipment.
Decontamination
Decreasing the amount of chemical agent on any
person, object or area by absorbing, neutralizing,
destroying, ventilating or moving chemical agents.
Decontamination procedures are critical during: a.
Response Phase: to eliminate direct and immediate
threats to human life. b. Recovery Phase: to
eliminate indirect and less immediate threats to
human life (such as cross-contamination).
Department of Health and Human
Services (DHHS)
The DHHS is the U.S. government's principal agency
for protecting the health of all Americans and
providing essential human services through over 300
different programs. Operating divisions with DHHS
include the following:
a. National
Institutes of Health (NIH), a world-class medical
research organization, supporting some
35,000-research projects nationwide in diseases like
cancer.
b. The
CDC is the lead Federal agency responsible for
protecting the health of the American public through
monitoring of disease trends, investigation of
outbreaks, health and injury risks, foster a safe
and healthful environments, and implementation of
illness and injury control and prevention
interventions.
c. The
Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry
(ATSDR) which seeks to prevent exposure to hazardous
substances from waste sites by conducting public
health assessments, health studies, surveillance
activities, and health education training in
communities around waste sites on the USEPA�s
National Priorities List. ATSDR also has developed
toxicological profiles of hazardous chemicals found
at these sites.
Deposition Probability
The fraction of the activity or mass of an inhaled
aerosol that is deposited in a particular region of
the lung.
Dermal Exposure
Exposure to or by absorption through the skin. The
inflammation of the skin from any cause.
Desquamation
The shedding of epithelial elements, chiefly of the
skin, in scales or small sheets; exfoliation.
Detection
The discovery of the existence of a
substance/contaminant.
Developmental Reference Dose (RfDdt)
An estimate (with uncertainty spanning perhaps an
order of magnitude or greater) of an exposure level
for the human population, including sensitive
subpopulations, that is likely to be without an
appreciable risk of developmental effects.
Developmental reference doses are used to evaluate
the effects of a single exposure event.
Differential Pressure
To differentiate in pressure between two points of a
system, such as between the inlet and the outlet of
a pump.
Diffusion
The process of spontaneous intermixing of different
substances due to molecular motion that tends to
produce uniformity of concentration.
DNA (Deoxyribonucleic Acid)
A complex sugar-protein polymer of nucleoprotein
that contains the complete genetic code for every
enzyme in the cell. It occurs as a major component
of the genes, which are located on the chromosomes
in the cell nucleus.
Dosage
The amount of substance administered (or received)
per body weight.
Dose
The amount of substance or
energy that is taken into or absorbed by the body;
the amount of substance, radiation, or energy
absorbed in a unit volume, an organ, or an
individual.
Dose Response
The characteristics of exposure to a substance and
the spectrum of effects.
Dose-Response Evaluation
The process of quantitatively evaluating toxicity
information and characterizing the relationship
between the dose of a contaminant administered or
received and the incidence of adverse health effects
in the exposed population. From the quantitative
dose-response relationship, toxicity values are
derived that are used in the risk characterization
step to estimate the likelihood of adverse effects
occurring in humans at different exposure levels.
Dose-Response Relationship
The relationship between�
a.
The dose often based on
an "administered dose" (i.e., exposure) rather than
absorbed dose.
b.
The extent of toxic
injury produced by that chemical. The response can
increase with greater doses and can be expressed
either as the severity of injury or proportion of
exposed subjects affected.
Dust
Any solid particulate matter from 1 to 150 microns
() in diameter.
Dry Deposition
Depositing onto surfaces by settling out of
particles, as opposed to droplets (liquid); also by
absorption from the vapor phase.
ECt50
(Median Exposure Concentration)
The dosage causing a specifically defined effect in
50 percent of the given population. The route of
exposure can be either inhalation or percutaneous.
Similarly, the ECt05,
ECt16, ECt84, and ECt95
are the dosages causing that defined
effect in 5 percent, 16 percent, 84 percent, and 95
percent of the given population, respectively.
ED50
(Median Effective Dose)
The dose of a substance that produces a given,
defined therapeutic or toxic effect in 50 percent of
the exposed population. NOT A 50 PERCENT EFFECT.
This is a quantal (yes/no) determination, but it can
be applied to graded effects if they are defined in
a quantal manner (e.g., the dose of drug necessary
to decrease diastolic blood pressure by 10
millimeters (mm) mercury in 50 percent of the
subjects). Under these circumstances, it is
imperative that the assumptions and definition of
"effect" be stated with the dose.
Edema
The presence of abnormally large amounts of fluid in
the intercellular tissue.
Element
One of the 103 known chemical substances that cannot
be broken down further without changing its chemical
properties. Some examples include hydrogen,
nitrogen, gold, lead, and uranium.
Elimination
Removal of material from the body via urine, feces,
sweat, or exhalation. Excretion usually refers to
elimination via urine or feces.
Embryo/Fetus
The development of a human organism from conception
until the time of birth. More accurately; embryo: 2
week (when implantation occurs) � 8 week; fetus: end
of 8-week term.
Emergency
A rare and unexpected situation with potential for
significant loss of life, property, or mission
accomplishment.
Emergency Disposal
Immediate transportation and disposal of chemical
agents/munitions when the senior explosive ordnance
disposal person determines the health or safety of
any person is clearly endangered.
Emergency Exposure Guidance Level
(EEGL)
A concentration of a substance in air (as a gas,
vapor, or aerosol) that will permit continued
performance of specific tasks during rare emergency
conditions, lasting for periods of 1 to 24 hours.
This should not be used for planned exposures
because these guidance levels are neither safe nor
hygienic.
Emergency Phase
As used by FEMA and the USEPA, the initial phase of
response actions, during which actions are taken in
response to a threat of release or a release in
progress. Short-term protective actions, such as
sheltering and evacuation, may be taken during this
phase to mitigate the hazard from immediate exposure
to the passing plume.
Enclosed Area
Any operating building, shed, magazine, railroad
car, truck, or trailer that sufficiently restricts
natural ventilation to allow possible accumulation
of agent vapors.
Endpoint
A response measure in a toxicity study.
Environment
The external surroundings and influences.
Estimate
A numerical value calculated from data. The average
is a numerical value of the quantity under
measurement. Other parameters, such as the standard
deviation, are often estimated from the data.
Evacuation
The urgent removal of people from an area to avoid
or reduce high-level, short-term exposure, usually
from the plume or from deposited activity.
Evacuation may be a preemptive action taken in
response to a facility condition rather than an
actual release.
Evaporation
The change of a liquid into a gas at any temperature
below its boiling point.
Exposure
The amount of chemical that enters the body by some
route for a specified frequency and duration.
Exposure Assessment
A process that takes into account the chemical and
physical properties of the substance, the effect the
substance produces, the exposure frequency and
duration, and the affected subject.
Exposure Duration
The length of time that a receptor population is
exposed to a contaminant.
Exposure Routes
The major courses of exposure include ingestion,
inhalation, and absorption through the skin.
Extrapolation
An estimate of response or quantity at a point
outside the range of the experimental data. Also
refers to the estimation of a measured response in a
different species or by a different route than that
used in the experimental study of interest (i.e.,
species to species, route to route, acute to
chronic, high to low).
Extremity
A bodily limb such as hand, elbow, arm below the
elbow, foot, knee, or leg below the knee.
Federal Emergency Management Agency
(FEMA)
The mission of FEMA is to reduce loss of life and
property and protect the nation�s critical
infrastructure from all types of hazards through a
comprehensive, risk-based, emergency management
program of mitigation, preparedness, response and
recovery.
http://www.fema.gov/about
Fertility
The ability to reproduce.
Fever
Abnormally high body temperature, characterized by
marked increase of temperature, acceleration of the
pulse, increased tissue destruction, restlessness,
and sometimes delirium.
Field Operations
Activities conducted outdoors or outside of man-made
enclosures or structures which contain built-in
alarms or engineered chemical agent controls.
Short-term operations in storage structures are also
considered field operations.
First Aid
Any one-time treatment, and any follow-up visit for
the purpose of observation or minor scratches, cuts,
burns, splinters, and so forth, which do not
ordinarily require medical care. Such one-time
treatment and follow-up visit for observation, is
considered first aid, even though provided by a
physician or registered medical professional
personnel.
g
gram.
g/L
grams per Liter
Gas
A state of matter in which the material is
compressible and has a low density and viscosity.
Genetic Effect
An effect in a descendant resulting from the
modification of genetic material in a parent.
Geneva Protocol
�Geneva Protocol for the Prohibition of the Use in
War of Asphyxiating Gases and Poisonous or other
Bacteriological Methods of Warfare� of 17 June 1925;
first diplomatic attempt to limit biological
warfare; ratified by the USA in 1975.
Germ Cell
A cell from which another organism can develop; a
sex cell.
Global Positioning System (GPS)
A high-precision satellite navigation service
created by the U.S. military.
Granulocytopenia
A symptom complex consisting of a marked decrease in
the number of circulating white blood cells, with
lesions of the throat and mucous membranes.
Hazardous Materials
Any material that is flammable, corrosive, an
oxidizing agent, explosive, toxic, poisonous,
etiological, radioactive, nuclear, unduly magnetic,
a chemical agent, biological research material,
compressed gases, or any other material that,
because of its quantity, properties, or packaging,
may endanger human life or property.
Health Hazard
An existing or likely condition, inherent to the
operation or use of materiel, that can cause death,
injury, acute or chronic illness, disability, or
reduced job performance of personnel by exposure to
acoustical energy, biological substances, chemical
substances, oxygen deficiency, radiation energy,
shock, temperature extremes, trauma, and vibration.
Health Hazard Assessment (HHA)
The application of biomedical knowledge and
principles to document and quantitatively determine
the health hazards of systems. This assessment
identifies, evaluates, and recommends solutions to
control the risks to the health and effectiveness of
personnel who test, use, or service Army systems.
This assessment includes the evaluation of hazard
severity, hazard probability, risk assessment, and
operational constraints; the identification of
required precautions and protective devices; and the
training requirements.
Health Hazard Assessment Report
(HHAR)
The formal Army documentation for a given system,
the assessment of health hazard issues and risks,
the recommendation of preventive or control actions,
and the recommendation of training requirements.
Health Hazard Domain Report (HHDR)
This report is one of the seven domain reports made
under the Army Manpower and Personnel Integration
(MANPRINT) Program. It identifies potential health
hazards that may be associated with the development,
acquisition, operation, and maintenance of Army
systems. This identification will be done early in
the system's life cycle to preserve and protect the
humans who will�
a. Operate, maintain, and support the
equipment.
b. Enhance total system
effectiveness.
c. Reduce system retrofit needed to
eliminate health hazards.
d. Reduce personnel compensation.
Data from this report are entered
into the MANPRINT Program Report and the System
Manpower and Personnel Integration Program
Management Plan (SMMP).
Health Standards
Published documents specifying conditions of
acceptable risk for individual health hazards. These
can include medical exposure limits, health
conservation criteria, and materiel design
standards.
Heat Cramps
An illness due, in part, to excessive loss of salt
during sweating resulting in painful muscle spasms
in the extremities, back and abdomen.
Heat Exhaustion
An illness due to circulatory failure in which
venous blood returned to the heart is significantly
reduced; fainting may result. This failure is caused
because the individual's blood supply is not
adequate to serve both heat regulation and other
bodily needs.
Heat Strain
The natural, physiological response reaction of the
body to the application of heat stress.
Heat Stress
The relative amount of thermal strain from the
environment.
Heat Stroke
An illness due to the body temperature reaching a
level where sweating stops. The body temperature can
then rise to critical levels causing tissue damage
and death.
Homeland Security
A national strategy to strengthen protections
against terrorist threats or attacks in the U.S.
(See Office of Homeland Security.)
http://www.whitehouse.gov/homeland
Host
A living animal or plant that harbors or nourishes
another organism.
Hypertension
Abnormally high blood pressure.
Ileus
Obstruction of the intestines.
Immediate versus Delayed Toxicity
The immediate effects that occur or develop rapidly
after a single administration of a substance;
delayed effects are those that occur after the lapse
of some time. These effects have also been referred
to as acute and chronic, respectively.
Immediately Dangerous to Life or
Health (IDLH)
The maximum concentration from which, in the event
of respiratory failure, one could escape within 30
minutes without a respirator and without
experiencing any escape-impairing (for example,
severe eye irritation) or irreversible health
effects (Department of Health and Human Services,
National Institute for Occupational Safety and
Health (NIOSH) Publication No. 90- 117).
(Respiratory protection and sufficient oxygen to
support life (at least 16 percent by volume) are
addressed in Code of Federal Regulations, Part
1910.134, Title 29 e (3) and g (5).)
Incapacitate
To render a subject unable to perform normal
activities or tasks.
Incapacitating Agent
A chemical that produces a temporary, disabling
condition that persists for hours to days after
exposure has ceased. Complete recovery of casualties
is expected without medical treatment.
Incapacitating Dose
The concentration/dose that renders an individual
unable to perform normal activities or tasks.
Incapacitation
Considered to be "moderate-to-severe"--unless
otherwise specified. It may include prostration and
convulsions.
Incidence
The number of new cases of a disease within a
specified period of time or dose.
Incidence Rate
The rate new cases of a disease or condition develop
within a specified period of time or dose.
Incubation Period
The time required between initial contact with an
infectious agent and the appearance of the first
clinical symptoms of disease.
Individual
Any human being.
Individual Risk
The probability that a person will experience an
adverse effect. This is identical to population risk
unless specific population subgroups can be
identified that have different (higher or lower)
risks.
Inflammation
Reaction of tissues to injury; characterized by
pain, heat, redness, or swelling of the affected
parts.
Initial Response Force (IRF)
An emergency action organization tasked to provide
first response to a chemical accident/incident at an
installation assigned a chemical surety mission or
in the public domain. The IRF performs the following
functions:
a. Rescue operations.
b. Accident site security.
c. Firefighting.
d. Initiation of appropriate
explosive ordnance material procedures.
e. Radiation monitoring.
f. Establishment of command, control,
and communication.
g. Public affairs activities.
Injury
A specific impairment of body structure or function
caused by an outside agent or force that may be
physical or chemical.
Intake
Quantity of material introduced into the body by
inhalation, by ingestion, or through the skin.
International Agency for Research for
Cancer (IARC)
The mission of IARC is to coordinate and conduct
research on the causes of human cancer, the
mechanisms of carcinogenesis, and to develop
scientific strategies for cancer control. The Agency
is involved in both epidemiological and laboratory
research and provides scientific information through
publications, meetings, courses, and fellowships.
http://www.iarc.fr/
In-vitro
In an artificial environment, referring to a process
or reaction occurring therein, as in a test tube or
culture media.
In-vivo
In the living body, referring to a process or
reaction occurring therein.
Irritant
A substance that produces an irritating effect when
it contacts skin, eyes, nose, or respiratory
system.
kg
kilogram.
km
kilometers.
Laboratory
A location or facility where engineering controls
include a glove box or laboratory type ventilation
hood and the quantities of chemical agents in use at
one time are small, normally not exceeding one
Liter. These operations may include research and
development, production/acceptance testing, sample
analysis and evaluation, limited detoxification,
animal testing, or other small-scale agent
operations.
Latent Period
A period of seeming inactivity.
LC50
(Median Lethal Concentration)
A dosage of a substance by inhalation that results
in death in 50 percent of the exposed population.
LD50
(Median Lethal Dose)
A dose of a substance that produces death in 50
percent of the exposed population usually as a
single dose, with the route of exposure specified.
Liter
A metric unit of volume equal to 1000 cubic
centimeters (cm3)
or 1.056 quart.
Local versus Systemic Toxicity
Local effects occur at the site of entry (e.g.,
lungs, stomach) of a toxicant into the body;
systemic effects are elicited after absorption and
distribution of the toxicant from its entry point to
a distant site.
Lowest-Effect Level (LEL)
The lowest exposure level at which there are
statistically or biologically significant increases
in frequency or severity of effects between the
exposed population and its appropriate control
group.
Lowest-Observed Adverse Effect Level
(LOAEL)
The lowest exposure level at which there are
statistically or biologically significant increases
in frequency or severity of adverse effects between
the exposed population and its appropriate control
group.
Malformation
A birth defect; an abnormal structure or form.
Man
An individual assumed to be a healthy, 18-35 year
old, 70 kg adult male.
Manpower and Personnel Integration
(MANPRINT)
The process of integrating the full range of
manpower, personnel, training, human engineering,
health hazard, system safety, and soldier
survivability to improve individual performance and
total system performance throughout the entire
system development and acquisition process.
Materiel Developer (MATDEV)
The command or organization responsible for
developing or modifying material.
Maximum Contaminant Level (MCL)
The maximum permissible level of a contaminant in
water that is delivered to the consumer.
Medical Contaminant Criteria
The varying amounts of air contaminants and duration
of exposure causing specific adverse effects to
health.
meter (m)
A metric unit of length equal to 39.37 inches.
mg/kg
milligram/kilogram.
mg/m3
milligrams per cubic meter.
mg-min/m3
milligram-minutes per cubic meter. It is a product
of the concentration of a substance in milligrams
per cubic meter times the exposure time in minutes.
micron
A unit of measurement equal to one-millionth (10-6)
of a meter.
milligram (mg)
A metric unit of mass equal to one thousandth of a
gram, 1 x 10-3
gram.
milliliter (mL)
A metric unit of liquid capacity equal to 0.061
cubic inch.
g
microgram, 1 x 10-6
g of 1 x 10-3
mg.
m
micrometer(s)
Microsecond
A one-millionth part of a second. (See Curie,
Section 3.)
Military Occupational Specialty (MOS)
A grouping of duty positions possessing such a close
occupational or functional relationship that an
optimal degree of interchangeability among persons
so classified exists at any given skill level.
Military Standard (MIL-STD)
Standards and specifications, also known as
MIL-SPEC, developed to specify military-unique
requirements whether it is for parts, materials,
processes, interfaces, data, or tests.
Milli
A prefix that divides a basic unit by 1000.
Minor
An individual less than 18 years of age.
Minute Volume (MV)
The amount of air expelled from the lungs in a
minute that is assumed to be 15 L�unless otherwise
stated. This amount represents mild activity.
Mission-Oriented Protective Posture
(MOPP)
A flexible system that provides maximum nuclear,
biological, and chemical protection for the
individual with the lowest risk possible and still
maintains mission accomplishment. Typically used to
refer to chemical response personnel�s personal
protection equipment.
Mission Specific Protection
Measures for important units, systems, and functions
so that the military units can continue to work with
their primary tasks to the greatest extent possible.
The aim is that the defense forces will retain their
operative ability even after an NBC attack.
Mist
The liquid particles up to 100 in diameters.
mm
millimeter.
Molecule
A group of atoms held together by chemical forces.
The smallest unit of a compound that can exist by
itself and retain all its chemical properties.
Morbidity
The ratio of sick to well individuals in a
community; sick rate.
Mortality
The ratio of people who die to those who survive
exposure to nuclear/radiological, biological, or
chemical agents; death rate.
Mutagen
Anything that can cause a change (mutation) in the
genetic material of a living cell.
Mutagenicity
The cause of changes in cellular genetic material
that may be passed on to subsequent generations of
cells. When these changes occur in germ cells (i.e.,
sperm or ova), the mutations may be passed on to
subsequent generations.
National Command Authority (NCA)
The U.S. President and the Secretary of Defense or
their duly deputized alternates or successors, hold
this nuclear weapons release authority for the U.S.
Armed Forces.
http://www.periscope.ucg.com/terms/t0000206.html
National Contingency Plan (NCP)
The set of regulations that implement CERCLA and
direct responsibility and procedures for cleanup of
hazardous material spills. The regulations are
codified at Code of Federal Regulations, Part 300,
Title 40, et seq.
National Institute for Occupational
Safety and Health (NIOSH)
NIOSH was established by the Occupational Safety and
Health Act of 1970. NIOSH is part of the CDC and is
the only Federal institute responsible for
conducting research and making recommendations for
the prevention of work-related illnesses and
injuries.
http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/homepage.html
Nausea
Tendency to vomit;
sickness of the stomach.
NBC
Nuclear, Biological and Chemical. This terminology
is used in deployment issues.
Nerve Agent
A toxic substance that inhibits the cholinesterase
enzyme and, therefore, elevates the acetylcholine
level in the body. Symptoms include pinpoint pupils,
difficulty focusing, headache, and secretion from
the skin and mucous membranes. Nausea, vomiting, and
loss of bladder and bowel control lead to severe
dehydration. These lead to general muscular
fasciculation followed by violent convulsions,
respiratory arrest, and death. (See Section 5, Nerve
Agent.)
No-Observed Adverse Effects Level
(NOAEL)
An exposure level at which there are
no statistically or biologically significant
increases in the frequency or severity of adverse
effects (to tissue, cells, organs, etc.) between the
exposed population and its appropriate control (some
effects may be produced at this level, but they are
not considered as adverse, nor precursors to
specific adverse effects). It is based on the
highest exposure without adverse effect.
No-Observed Effects Level (NOEL)
An exposure level at which there are no
statistically or biologically significant increases
in the frequency or severity of any effect (to
tissue, cells, organs, etc.) between the exposed
population and its appropriate control.
North Atlantic Treaty Organization
(NATO)
This organization is to enhance the stability,
well-being and freedom of its members through a
system of collective security. Members of the
alliance agree to defend one another from attack by
other nations. The alliance includes Belgium,
Canada, Denmark, France, the United Kingdom,
Iceland, Italy, Luxembourg, The Netherlands, Norway,
Portugal, the United States, Greece, Turkey, the
newly unified Germany, Hungary, Poland, and the
Czech Republic.
http://www.nato.int/
Nuclear, Biological, and Chemical
(NBC) Contamination
The deposition and/or absorption of residual
radioactive material or biological or chemical
agents on or by structures, areas, personnel, or
objects.
Nuclear, Biological, and Chemical
(NBC) Survivability
The capability of a system (and its crew) to
withstand an NBC-contaminated environment and
relevant decontamination without losing the ability
to accomplish the assigned mission. An
NBC-contamination survivable system is hardened
against NBC contamination and decontaminants. This
system can be decontaminated and is compatible with
individual protective equipment.
Occupational Safety and Health
Administration (OSHA)
The mission of OSHA is to save lives, prevent
injuries and protect the health of America's
workers. OSHA and its state partners have thousands
of inspectors, plus complaint discrimination
investigators, engineers, physicians, educators,
standards writers, and other technical and support
personnel spread over more than 200 offices
throughout the country. This staff establishes
protective standards, enforces those standards, and
reaches out to employers and employees through
technical assistance and consultation programs.
http://www.osha.gov/
Office of Homeland Security
President George W. Bush established this office on
8 October 2001. Its mission is to develop and
coordinate the implementation of a comprehensive
national strategy to secure the U.S. from terrorist
threats or attacks. The Office will coordinate the
executive branch�s efforts to detect, prepare for,
prevent, protect against, respond to, and recover
from terrorist attacks within the U.S.
http://www.whitehouse.gov/homeland
Overpressure
The transient pressure that is created by the shock
wave of an explosion and exceeds the ambient
pressure; expressed in pounds per square inch.
Parameter
The property or quantity that measurements are
expected to evaluate.
Parasite
A plant or animal that lives upon or within another
living organism at whose expense it obtains some
advantage.
Particle Size-Selective-Threshold
Limit Values (PSS-TLV)
Expressed in three forms�
-
Inhalable Particulate Mass-TLVs
(IPM-TLVs): for those materials that are
hazardous when deposited anywhere in the
respiratory tract. Particles with aerodynamic
diameters up to 100 m are of interest.
-
Thoracic Particulate Mass-TLVs
(TPM-TLVs): for those materials that are
hazardous when deposited anywhere within the
lung airways and the gas-exchange regions.
Particles with aerodynamic diameters up to 25 m
are of interest.
-
Respirable Particulate Mass-TLVs
(RPM-TLVs): for those materials that are
hazardous when deposited in the gas-exchange
region. Particles with aerodynamic diameters up
to 10 m are of interest.
Particulate
A particle of solid or liquid matter. Particle
aerodynamic diameters of biological interest range
up to 100 m.
Parts per million (ppm)
Parts (molecules) of a substance contained in a
million parts of air.
Pathogenic Organism
Any disease-producing organism.
Perceived Threat
Any possible danger that is experienced by a person
subjectively and out of proportion to the real
threat or physical danger.
Percutaneous Exposure
The absorption of a contaminant through the unbroken
skin.
TLV
is
a registered trademark of the American Conference of
Governmental Industrial Hygienists, Cincinnati,
Ohio. Use of trademarked name does not imply
endorsement by the U.S. Army but is intended only to
assist in identification of a specific product.
Periodic Table
An arrangement of chemical elements in order of
increasing atomic number. Elements of similar
properties are placed one under the other, yielding
groups or families of elements. Within each group,
there is a variation of chemical and physical
properties, but in general, there is a similarity of
chemical behavior within each group.
Permissible Exposure Limit (PEL)
Time-weighted average concentrations that must not
be exceeded during any 8-hour work shift of a
40-hour workweek.
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
The combination of clothing and respirator designed
to protect the wearer from exposure to chemical and
biological warfare agents.
Personnel
Military and civilian individuals with the
abilities, skill level, and grades required to
operate, maintain, and support a system in peacetime
and wartime. It refers to the Army's ability to
provide qualified people of specific aptitudes,
experience, and other human characteristics needed
to use, operate, maintain, and support Army systems
or items. It requires a detailed assessment of the
aptitudes that soldiers must possess in order to
complete training and to use, to operate, and/or to
maintain the system successfully.
Pico
A prefix that divides a basic unit by one trillion.
Population
A group of items/persons/animals belonging to a
well-defined class from which items/persons/animals
are taken for measurement.
Potency
The degree to which an agent can cause strong or
toxic effects.
Preliminary Hazard Analysis (PHA)
The initial effort in hazard analysis during the
system design phase or the programming and
requirements development phase for facilities
acquisition. It may also be used on an operational
system for the initial examination of the state of
safety. The purpose of the PHA is not to affect
control of all risks but is to fully recognize the
hazardous states with all of the accompanying system
applications.
Preliminary Hazards List (PHL)
This list provides the MATDEV with a list of hazards
that may require special safety design emphasis or
hazardous areas where in-depth analyses need to be
done. The MATDEV may use the results of the PHL to
determine the scope of follow-on hazard analyses.
Pressor
Tending to increase blood pressure.
Prevalence
The total number of cases of a disease existing in a
population at a certain time in a designated area.
Prodome
A premonitory symptom or precursor; a symptom
indicating the onset of a disease.
Prodromal Effects
The forewarning symptoms of more serious health
effects.
Properties
The characteristics by which a substance may be
identified. Physical properties describe its state
of matter, color, odor, and density; chemical
properties describe its behavior in reaction with
other materials.
Pulmonary
Pertaining to the lungs.
Quarter
A period of time equal to one-fourth of the year
observed by the licensee (approximately 13
consecutive weeks), providing that the beginning of
the first quarter in a year coincides with the
starting date of the year and that no day is omitted
or duplicated in consecutive quarters.
Range
The difference between the largest and smallest
values in a collection of measurements.
Readiness
Phase of preparations to deal with an accident or
incident.
Reaction
Any process involving a chemical or nuclear change.
Reconstruction
Rebuilding and replacing destroyed structures and
utilities to approximate the pre-disaster
condition.
Recovery Phase
The period following the response when immediate
threat to human life has passed and general
evacuation has ceased. This phase includes�
-
Recovery:
Recovery decontamination refers to the actions
taken to restore an affected area to its
pre-emergency condition. Thus, it refers to the
process of reducing exposure rates and
concentrations in the environment to acceptable
levels for unconditional occupancy or use after
the emergency phase of an accident or incident.
Recovery differs from reentry in that recovery
encompasses the efforts and resources needed to
return the affected area to its pre-accident
condition. Recovery includes both short- and
long-term activities. Short-term recovery
returns vital systems to minimum operating
standards, seeks to restore critical services to
the community, and provides for the basic needs
of the public. Long-term recovery focuses on
restoring the community to its normal, or
improved state of affairs and on returning life
to normal or improved levels. The recovery
period is also an opportune time to institute
mitigation measures, particularly those related
to the recent emergency
.
-
Reentry: Reentry deals
with persons entering an affected (i.e.,
contaminated or potentially contaminated) area
following a release. The terms controlled
reentry, restricted reentry, occupational
reentry, and emergency reentry refer to the
temporary, short-term readmission of persons
(primarily emergency workers) into a restricted
zone for the purpose of performing specific
tasks (such as monitoring teams). The terms
uncontrolled reentry, unrestricted reentry, and
general reentry are used in the context of
uncontrolled, permanent re-access referring to
those provisions leading up to unlimited public
access, reoccupation, or use of previously
restricted zones after the hazards have been
reduced to acceptable levels or have been
declared "clean."
-
Restoration: Removal and
decontamination of all NBC agents, removal of
any rubble, and emergency repair of structures
and facilities. The culmination of these
activities is reestablishment of major utilities
and services and the return of social and
economic activities to near-normal levels. The
terms recovery and restoration
have been used in combination to refer to the
entire group of activities undertaken to prepare
a previously contaminated and restricted area
for unlimited reoccupation and/or use by the
public.
Reference Concentration (RfC)
An estimate (with uncertainty spanning perhaps an
order of magnitude) of a daily inhalation exposure
to the human population (including sensitive
subgroups) that is likely to be without appreciable
risk of deleterious effects during a lifetime.
Reference Dose (RfD)
The toxicity value for evaluating non-carcinogenic
effects resulting from exposure at Superfund sites.
See specific entries for chronic reference dose,
subchronic reference dose, and developmental
reference dose. The acronym RfD, when used without
other modifiers, either refers generically to all
types of reference dose or specifically to chronic
reference dose; it never refers specifically to
subchronic or developmental RfD.
Reference Man
A hypothetical aggregation of human physical and
physiological characteristics arrived at by
international consensus. These characteristics may
be used by researchers and public health workers to
standardize results of experiments and to relate
biological insult to a common base.
Relocation
Temporary or permanent removal of a population or
community in response to an emergency or disaster. A
protective action in which persons are asked to
vacate a contaminated area to avoid chronic exposure
from deposited contamination.
Reproductive Death
The loss of the ability to reproduce. Reproductive
death may cause irreversible organ damage.
Reproductive Effects
A toxic effect of a substance that is evident in the
second or third generation of exposed grandparents.
Residual Hazards
Hazards that are not eliminated by design.
Residual Risk
The probability or likelihood of injury resulting
from the actual use of a substance in the quantity
and manner proposed once all recommendations to
eliminate or minimize the hazard have been
implemented.
Restricted Area or Zone
Any region with controlled access from which the
population has been evacuated or relocated; any area
to which access is controlled for the protection of
individuals from exposure to contamination from NBC
agents.
Retained Quantity
The quantity of a deposited material in a
compartment, in an organ, or in the whole body at a
given time after intake, deposition, or uptake.
Retention Function
A function describing the time dependence of the
retained quantity.
Return
Refers to the reoccupation of areas cleared for
unrestricted residence or use by previously
evacuated populations. It includes what was termed
"resettlement" in earlier draft USEPA guidance.
RfDs
Subchronic Reference Dose. An estimate (with
certainty spanning perhaps an order of magnitude or
greater) of a daily exposure level for the human
population (including sensitive populations) that is
likely to be without an appreciable risk of
deleterious effects during a portion of a lifetime.
Risk
The probability or likelihood of an adverse effect
or event (e.g., injury, disease, or death) resulting
from the actual use of a substance in the quantity
and manner proposed. It is the product of�
-
The probability that an
adverse effect or event will occur under
specific circumstances of exposure.
-
The probability that those
specific circumstances of exposure will be
realized. In quantitative terms, risk is
expressed in values ranging from zero
(representing the certainty that harm will
not occur) to one (representing the
certainty that harm will occur).
Risk Assessment
The scientific process of evaluating the toxic
properties of a chemical and the conditions of human
exposure to it, in order to both ascertain the
likelihood that exposed humans will be adversely
affected, and to characterize the nature of the
effects they may experience. It may contain some or
all of the following four steps�
-
Hazard Identification: The
determination of whether a particular
chemical is or is not causally linked to
particular health effect(s).
-
Dose-Response Assessment: The
determination of the relation between the
magnitude of exposure and the probability of
occurrence of the health effects in
question.
-
Exposure Assessment: The
determination of the extent of human
exposure.
-
Risk Characterization: The
description of the nature and often the
magnitude of human risk, including attendant
uncertainty.
Risk Assessment Code (RAC)
A code used to quantify risk to personnel operating
or maintaining the system or conducting an
operation. The RACs show the adverse health effect
or possible loss of bodily systems described in
categories of hazard severity and hazard
probability. The RAC is assigned based on the
failure to implement the recommendations for
eliminating or minimizing the hazard. It is an
expression of the risk associated with a hazard that
combines the hazard severity and accident
probability into a single Arabic numeral as
described in Army Regulation 385-10.
Risk Management
A decision-making process that entails consideration
of political, social, economic, and engineering
information with risk-assessment information to
develop, analyze, and compare regulatory options and
to select the appropriate regulatory response to a
potential health risk.
RNA (Ribonucleic Acid)
RNA consists of five-carbon sugar (ribose),
phosphate, and four nitrogenous bases (adenine,
guanine, cytosine, and uracil). In an RNA molecule,
the sugar and phosphate combine to form a structure
to which the nitrogenous bases are attached. These
molecules range in composition from fewer than 100
to several thousand nitrogenous bases, and vary in
shape from helical to uncoiled. RNA is the primary
agent of protein formation, and processes genetic
information from DNA molecules into enzymes
necessary for life.
Safety
The opposite of risk. It is the probability that
harm will not occur under specified conditions.
Sample Data Collection
A method for obtaining information on the
performance and maintainability of equipment. Data
are obtained directly from observations made in the
field. An effort is made to see that the sample form
from which feedback is obtained represents the total
population.
Sanitary Sewerage
A system of public sewers for carrying off waste
water and refuse, but excluding sewage treatment
facilities, septic tanks, and leach fields owned or
operated by the licensee.
Sepsis
The presence of pathogenic microorganisms (bacteria)
or their toxins in the blood or other tissues.
Severity
The degree to which an effect changes and impairs
the functional capacity of an organ system.
Shock
An upset in the body caused by inadequate amounts of
blood circulating in the bloodstream. It manifests
itself by a drop in blood pressure, rapid weak
pulse, pale moist clammy skin, marked thirst, and a
state of great anxiety. Shock can be caused by
marked blood loss, overwhelming infection, severe
injury to tissues, emotional factors, etc.
Short-Term Exposure
Multiple or continuous exposures occurring over a
week or so.
Short-Term Public Emergency Guidance
Level (SPEGL)
A suitable concentration of a substance in air (as a
gas, vapor, or aerosol) for unpredicted, single,
short-term, emergency exposure of the general
public.
Site Closure and Stabilization
Those actions that are taken upon completion of
operations that prepare the disposal site for
custodial care and assure that the disposal site
will remain stable and will not need ongoing active
maintenance.
Skin Permeability
The rate at which the skin
absorbs a liquid; expressed as a coefficient. The
lower a substance�s coefficient, the greater the
rate of absorption.
Symptom
Information related by an individual about
himself/herself that may indicate illness or
injury. Signs or observations are made about an
individual or an animal that may indicate illness or
injury.
Syndrome
A set of symptoms that occur together.
Synergistic
Acting together to enhance the effect of another
force or agent.
System MANPRINT Management Plan
(SMMP)
It is a planning and management tool that outlines
and documents the Human Systems Integration (HSI)
management approach, associated decisions and
planning efforts, user concerns, and resolution of
MANPRINT issues during system development and
acquisition process. Identifying and documenting
these issues early in the system acquisition process
increases the probability of their resolution,
thereby enhancing total system performance,
affordability, supportability, and conservation of
the Army resources.
Systemic
Spread throughout the body, affecting all body
systems and organs, not localized in one spot or
area.
Systemic Effects
Results that require absorption and distribution of
the toxicant to a site distant from its portal of
entry, at which point effects are produced. Most
chemicals that produce systemic toxicity do not
cause a similar degree of toxicity in all organs,
but usually demonstrate major toxicity to one or two
organs. These are referred to as target organs of
toxicity for that chemical.
Systemic Toxicity
See Systemic Effects.
t
time.
Terrorism
Terrorism is the use or threatened use of force
designed to achieve political or social objectives.
It is the premeditated, deliberate, systematic
murder, mayhem, and threatening of uninvolved people
to create fear and intimidation. To protect against
terrorism, individuals should�
-
Be alert and learn where
emergency exists are located. Think ahead
about how to evacuate a building, subway, or
congested public area in a hurry. Learn
where staircases are located.
-
Take precautions when
traveling. Be aware of conspicuous or
unusual behavior. Do not leave luggage
unattended. Do not accept packages from
strangers.
-
Learn about the different
types of terrorist weapons including
explosives, kidnappings, hijackings,
biological agents, arson, and shootings. (http://www.whitehouse.gov/homeland/)
Threshold
The lowest dose or exposure at which a specified
effect begins to be produced.
Threshold, Th50
The vapor dosage producing the defined threshold
(low-level) response in 50 percent of the given
population. Within the context of this Glossary, the
route of exposure can be either inhalation or
percutaneous. (Note that percutaneous vapor effects
can also include direct vapor effects upon the
eyes.)
Threshold Dose
The smallest amount of toxic substance that can
produce the first recognizable injuries (e.g.,
irritation of skin, eyes, or nose; miosis).
Threshold Limit Value (TLV)
A value that refers to airborne concentrations of
substances and represents conditions under which it
is believed nearly all workers may be repeatedly
exposed day after day, without adverse health. A
table of these values and accompanying precautions
is published annually by the ACGIH.
Threshold Limit Value Categories
-
Threshold Limit Value-
Time-Weighted Average (TLV-TWA): The TWA
concentration for a normal 8-hour workday and a
40-hour workweek, to which nearly all workers
may be repeatedly exposed, day after day,
without adverse effect.
-
Threshold Limit Value- Short-Term
Exposure Limit (TLV-STEL): The concentration to
which workers can be exposed continuously for a
short period of time without suffering from:
-
irritation,
-
chronic or irreversible
tissue damage, or
-
narcosis of sufficient degree
to increase the likelihood of accidental
injury, impair self-rescue, or materially
reduce work efficiency, provided that the
daily TLV-TWA is not exceeded. It is not a
separate independent exposure limit; rather,
it supplements the time-weighted average
limit where there are recognized acute
effects from a substance whose toxic effects
are primarily of a chronic nature. Exposures
up to the STEL should not be longer than 15
minutes and should not occur more than four
times per day.
-
Threshold Limit Value - Ceiling
(TLV-C): The concentration that should not be
exceeded during any part of the working
exposure.
Time-Weighted Average (TWA)
Concentration
The concentration of airborne contaminants that have
been weighted for the time duration, usually eight
hours. A sufficient number of samples are needed to
determine a time-weighted average concentration
throughout a complete cycle of operations or through
the work shift.
Time-Weighted Average Exposure
An average over a given (working) period of an
individual's exposure, as determined by sampling at
given times during the period.
Total Parenteral Nutrition
By injection through some route other than the canal
providing sustenance or nourishment.
Toxic
Harmful to living organisms; poisonous.
Toxic Dose
The dose of a substance needed to produce a defined
toxic effect in 100 percent of the exposed
population.
Toxic Dose, TD50
The dose of a substance needed to produce a defined
toxic effect in 50 percent of the exposed
population. It is an infrequently used term,
equivalent to ED50
where "toxicity" is the measured
"effect."
Toxic Substances
A substance that destroys life or injures health
when introduced into or absorbed by a living
organism.
Toxicity
The capacity of a substance to induce injury. It
describes the nature, degree, and extent of
undesirable effects.
Training Device
Any three-dimensional object developed, fabricated,
or procured specifically for improving the learning
process.
Tumor
A swelling or enlargement due to pathogenic
overgrowth of tissue.
Uncertainty Factor (UF)
One of several, generally 10-fold, factors used in
operationally deriving a standard or a reference
dose from experimental data. UFs are intended to
account for�
-
The variation in sensitivity
among the members of the human population.
-
The uncertainty in
extrapolating animal data to the case of
humans.
-
The uncertainty in
extrapolating from data obtained in a study
involving less-than-lifetime exposure.
-
The uncertainty in using
lowest-observed adverse effect level data
rather than NOAEL data.
-
The inability of any single
study to address adequately all possible
adverse outcomes in man.
Uptake
Quantity of material taken up into the
extra-cellular fluids. It is usually expressed as a
fraction of the deposition in the organ from which
uptake occurs.
U.S. Army Medical Research Institute
of Infectious Diseases (USAMRIID)
The Department of Defense�s lead laboratory for
medical aspects of biological warfare defense. It
conducts research to develop vaccines, drugs, and
diagnostics for laboratory and field use. USAMRIID
also formulates strategies, information, procedures,
and training programs for medical defense against
biological threats. It is Located in Fort Detrick,
MD.
http://www.usamriid.army.mil
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
(USEPA)
The mission of the USEPA is to protect human health
and to safeguard the natural environment. The USEPA
implements the Federal laws designed to promote
public health by protecting our nation's air, water,
and soil from harmful pollution and endeavors to
accomplish its mission systematically by proper
integration of a variety of research, monitoring,
standard-setting, and enforcement activities.
http://www.epa.gov/
Vapor
The gaseous form of substances that is normally in
the solid or liquid state; it can be changed to this
state by increasing the pressure or decreasing the
temperature. These vapors will diffuse.
Vaporization
Change of a substance from a liquid into a gas.
Ventilation
One of the principal methods to control health
hazards; it may be defined as "causing fresh air to
circulate to replace foul air simultaneously
removed."
Ventilation, Dilution
Airflow designed to dilute contaminants to
acceptable levels.
Ventilation, Mechanical
Air movement caused by a fan or other air-moving
device.
Ventilation, Natural
Air movement caused by wind, temperature difference,
or other non-mechanical factors.
Virus
Any of various submicroscopic pathogens consisting
essentially of a core of a single nucleic acid
surrounded by a protein coat, having the ability to
replicate only inside a living cell.
Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD)
This term means any destructive device to include�
-
Any explosive, incendiary, or
poison gas.
-
Bomb.
-
Grenade.
-
Rocket having a propellant
charge of more than four ounces.
-
Missile having an explosive
or incendiary charge of more than
one-quarter ounce.
-
Mine.
-
Any type of weapon (excluding
a shotgun or a shotgun shell used for
sporting purposes) that can be readily
converted to, expel a projectile by the
action of an explosive or other propellant,
and which has any barrel with a bore of more
than one-half inch in diameter.
-
Any combination of parts
either designed or intended for use in
converting any device into any destructive
device described above, above from which a
destructive may be readily assembled.
-
Any weapon that is designed
or intended to cause death or serious bodily
injury through the release, dissemination,
or impact of toxic or poisonous chemicals or
their precursors.
-
Any weapon involving a
disease or organism.
-
Any weapon that is designed
to release radiation or radioactivity at a
level dangerous to human life.
Well Bore
A drilled hole in which wire line service operations
or subsurface tracer studies are performed.
Wire Line
A cable containing one or more electrical
conductors, which is used to lower and raise logging
tools in the well bore.
Wire Line Service Operation
Any evaluation or mechanical service that is
performed in the well bore using devices on a wire
line.
Acetylcholine (ACH, ACh)
The neurotransmitter substance at cholinergic
synapses that causes cardiac inhibition,
vasodilation, gastrointestinal peristalsis, and
other parasympathetic effects. It is liberated from
preganglionic and post-ganglionic endings of
parasympathetic fibers and from pre-ganglionic
fibers of the sympathetic nervous system as a result
of nerve injuries, whereupon it acts as a
transmitter on the effector organ; it is hydrolyzed
into choline and acetic acid by acetylcholinesterase
before a second impulse may be transmitted.
Acetylcholinesterase (AChE)
True cholinesterase. Acetylcholinesterase hydrolyzes
acetylcholine within the Central Nervous System and
peripheral neuroeffector functions.
Active Immunization
The act of artificially stimulating the body to
develop antibodies against infectious disease by the
administration of vaccines or toxoids.
Acute Samples
Samples (e.g., blood, sputum, urine, etc.) taken
from a patient who is experiencing the full symptoms
of a disease.
Adenopathy
Swelling or morbid enlargement of the lymph nodes.
Aedes Aegypti
Asian tiger mosquito; an alien mosquito established
in the southeast U.S. and from which Eastern Equine
Encephalitis has been isolated.
Aerosol
A suspension of very small
solid liquid particles in gas (such as air).
Alpha Interferon
One of a group of heat-stable and soluble basic
antiviral glycoproteins produced by cells exposed to
the action of a virus, bacterium, or toxin; used
medically as an antiviral compound.
Amikacin
An antibiotic drug effective against Gram-negative
bacteria (particularly gentamicin- and
tobramycin-resistant strains) or staphylococci.
Amino Acid
An organic compound having both an amino group (NH2)
and a carboxylic acid (COOH) group.
Analgesic
a. A compound capable of producing analgesia (i.e.,
one that relieves pain without producing anesthesia
or loss of consciousness).
b. Characterized by reduced response
to painful stimuli.
Anaphylaxis
Hypersensitivity or abnormal reaction to a foreign
substance (e.g., penicillin) induced by a small
preliminary or sensitizing injection of the
substance; it is an extreme form of allergy that
often has serious consequences (i.e., swelling of
tissues) and has been known to be fatal.
Anemia
A condition in which the blood is deficient in red
blood cells, in hemoglobin, or in total volume.
Anthrax
A highly lethal infection caused by the bacterium
Bacillus anthracis; normally, a disease of
livestock that can be transmitted to man by direct
contact with or ingestion of contaminated meat,
hide, wool, hair, blood, or excreta. In most cases
involving humans, the bacteria enters the body
through skin wounds and infects the skin. In other
cases, the bacteria may be ingested (eaten) or
inhaled. Spore inhalation results in the inhalation
form of anthrax that is characterized by a human
fatality rate of nearly 90 percent. A short period
of flu-link symptoms that is followed by respiratory
distress; shock and death usually follows within 24
- 36 hours after onset of respiratory distress.
Anthrax can be treated with antibiotics, but
treatment must be started early to be effective.
Anthrax Vaccine
Inactivated vaccine made from protective antigen of
organisms. Protects against dermal exposure in
occupational setting. Vaccine may be less effective
with overwhelming challenge of inhaled spores.
Antibody
A protein substance produced in the blood or tissues
in response to a specific antigen, such as bacterium
or a toxin. Antibodies destroy or weaken bacteria
and neutralize organic poisons, thus forming the
basis of immunity.
Antibiotic
A substance produced by or derived from a
microorganism that inhibits or kills another
microorganism (such as bacteria).
Anticonvulsant
An agent that prevents or arrests seizures.
Antigen
A molecule capable of eliciting a specific antibody
or T-cell response.
Antiserum
The blood fluid remaining after blood cells,
fibrinogen, and fibrin are removed, and which also
contains antibodies; immune serum.
Antitoxin
An antibody formed in response to and capable of
neutralizing a biological poison; an animal serum
containing antitoxins.
Arbovirus
A group of viruses transmitted to humans and animals
from ticks and insects such as mosquitoes and sand
flies; shortened form of arthropod-borne virus.
Arenavirus
A family of viruses that includes the viral
Hemorrhagic Fevers, Lassa Fever, Argentine
Hemorrhagic Fever, Venezuelan Hemorrhagic Fever,
Brazilian Hemorrhagic Fever, and Bolivian
Hemorrhagic Fever.
Arthralgia
Severe pain in a joint, especially one not
inflammatory in character.
Aseptic
Preventing infection; free or freed of pathogens by
use of disinfectants, filtration, etc.
AST
Aspartate aminotransferase, a liver enzyme.
Asthenia
Weakness or debility.
Ataxia
An inability to coordinate muscle activity during
voluntary movement so that smooth movements occur.
Most often due to disorders of the cerebellum or the
posterior columns of the spinal cord; may involve
the limbs, head, or trunk.
Atelectasis
The absence of gas from a part or the whole of the
lungs, due to failure of expansion or resorption of
gas from the alveoli.
Bacillus
A rod-shaped bacteria.
Bacteria
Small, free-living microscopic organisms that
reproduce by simple division; the diseases they
produce often respond to treatment with antibiotics.
Bacteria are single-celled, can exist independently,
and vary in size from about 0.3 m to 10 m.
Bacteria can cause disease either by directly
invading body tissue or by producing toxins once
inside the body.
Bilirubin
A red bile pigment formed from hemoglobin during
normal and abnormal destruction of erythrocytes.
Excess bilirubin is associated with jaundice.
Biodegradation
The breakdown of substances of environmental concern
by living cells.
Biohazard
A biological agent or condition (e.g., an infectious
organism or insecure laboratory procedures) that
constitutes a hazard to humans or the environment.
Biological Agent
A microorganism that causes disease in man, plants,
or animals or causes the deterioration of material.
Biological Integrated Detection
System (BIDS)
This system provides commanders with an effective
system to detect and presumptively identify
biological warfare agents. Its primary purpose is to
provide information to limit the impact of
large-area-coverage biological agent attacks that
have the potential for catastrophic effects to U.S.
forces at the operational levels of war. It consists
of wheeled vehicles and specially trained
operators.
Biological Operation
Employment of biological agents to produce
casualties in man or animal and damage to plants or
materiel, or defense against such employment.
Biological Warfare
The use, for military or terrorist purposes, of
living organisms or material derived from them,
which are intended to cause death or incapacitation
in man, animals, or plants.
Biological Warfare Agent
Living organisms or their derivatives that can be
used in weapons to cause incapacitation or death.
Biological agents have the ability to reproduce
themselves, thus they are less predictable than
chemical agents.
Bioregulators/Modulators
Biological agents that are biochemical compounds,
such as peptides that occur naturally in organisms.
Biosafety Level (BSL)
A designation that indicates specific precautions
that must be taken when culturing or working with
infectious organisms or toxins. Each biosafety level
describes appropriate laboratory practices and
techniques as well as required safety equipment.
Biosafety levels range from BL-1, for organisms that
can cause minor infections, to BL-4 for those that
can cause fatal diseases for which there is no known
cure.
Blood Agar
A mixture of blood and nutrient agar, used for the
cultivation of many medically important
microorganisms.
Bomblet
A small munition capable of containing a biological
warfare agent; a submunition. Numerous bomblets
could be packed inside a larger munition (e.g., a
bomb or warhead) that would explode in the air
scattering the bomblets over a relatively wide
area.
Botulism
Poisoning by toxic derived from the microorganism
Clostridium botulinum.
Bronchiolitis
The inflammation of the bronchioles often associated
with bronchopneumonia.
Bronchitis
Inflammation of the mucous membrane of the bronchial
tubes.
Brucella
A genus of encapsulated, non-motile bacteria (family
Brucellaceae) containing short, rod-shaped to
coccoid, Gram-negative cells. These organisms are
parasitic, invading all animal tissues and causing
infection of the genital organs, the mammary gland,
and the respiratory and intestinal tracts, and are
pathogenic for man and various species of domestic
animals. They do not produce gas from carbohydrates.
If used as a biological warfare agent, it would move
likely be delivered by the aerosol route; the
resulting infection would be expected to mimic
natural disease.
Bubo
Inflammatory swelling of one or more lymph nodes,
usually in the groin; the confluent mass of nodes
usually suppurates and drains pus.
Bubonic Plague
A form of plague characterized by the presence of
inflammatory swellings of lymph nodes that first
occur at the regional node site closets to the bite
of an infected flea. (See Plague.)
Bulla (Pl. Bullae)
A large blister appearing as a circumscribed area of
separation of the epidermis from the subepidermal
structure (subepidermal bulla) or as a
circumscribed area of separation of epidermal cells
(intraepidermal bulla) caused by the presence
of serum, or occasionally by an injected substance.
Carbuncle
Deep-seated pyogenic infection of the skin and
subcutaneous tissues, usually arising in several
contiguous hair follicles, with formation of
connecting sinuses; often preceded or accompanied by
fever, malaise, and prostration.
Casual Contact
A person who has been in the proximity to an
infected person or animal (e.g., sharing an
airplane, bus, taxi, etc.) but has not been
associated with body fluids or excretions.
Cerebrospinal
Relating to the brain and the spinal cord.
Chemoprophylaxis
Prevention of disease by the use of chemicals or
drugs.
Cholera
A diarrheal disease caused by Vibrio cholera,
a short, curved, gram-negative bacillus. Humans
acquire the disease by consuming water or food
contaminated with the organism. The organism
multiplies in the small intestine and secretes an
enterotoxin that causes a secretory diarrhea. If
used as a biological warfare agent, it would most
likely be used to contaminate water supplies.
Cholinergic
Relating to nerve cells or fibers that employ
acetylcholine as their neurotransmitter.
Ciprofloxacin
An antibiotic drug useful in treating bacterial
infections; the recommended antibiotic for treating
anthrax infections as well as prophylaxis in a
biological warfare setting.
Clostridium Perfringens Toxins
A common anaerobic bacterium associated with three
distinct disease syndromes: gas gangrene or
clostridial myonecrosis, enteritis necroticans, and
clostridium food poisoning.
Coagulopathy
A disease affecting the coagulability of the blood.
Coccobacillus
A short, thick bacterial rod of the shape of an oval
or slightly elongated coccus.
Communicable
Capable of being transmitted from human to human,
animal to animal, animal to human, or human to
animal.
Conjunctiva (Pl. Conjunctivae)
The mucous membrane investing the anterior surface
of the eyeball and the posterior surface of the
lids.
Contagion
The spread of disease from one person to another.
Crimean-Congo Hemorrhagic Fever
A viral disease caused by Crimean-Congo Hemorrhagic
Fever virus. The virus is transmitted by ticks,
principally of the genus Hyalomma. Humans become
infected through tick bites, crushing an infected
tick, or at the slaughter or viremic livestock. If
used as a biological warfare agent, it would most
likely be delivered by aerosol.
Cutaneous
Relating to the skin.
Cyanosis
A dark bluish or purplish coloration of the skin and
mucous membrane due to deficient oxygenation of the
blood, evident when reduced hemoglobin in the blood
exceeds 5 g/100 mL.
Cytotoxin
Toxin that directly damages and kills the cell with
which is makes contact.
Decay Rate
The predictable rate at which microorganisms die/or
which biological agents lost viability.
Dengue
An acute infectious disease caused by an arbovirus
transmitted by Aedes aegypti mosquitoes
characterized by fever, chills, headache, nausea,
vomiting, rash, and severe muscle and joint pains.
Diathesis
The constitutional or inborn state disposing to a
disease, group of diseases, or metabolic or
structural anomaly.
Diplopia
The condition in which a single object is perceived
as two objects.
Distal
Situated away from the center of the body, or from
the point of origin; specifically applied to the
extremity or distant part of a limb or organ.
Dysarthria
A disturbance of speech and language due to
emotional stress, to brain injury, or to paralysis,
incoordination, or spasticity of the muscles used
for speaking.
Dysentery
An often infectious disease characterized by severe
diarrhea with passage of mucus and blood.
Dysphagia, dysphagy
Difficulty in swallowing.
Dysphonia
Altered voice production.
Dyspnea
Shortness of breath, a subjective difficulty or
distress in breathing, usually associated with
disease of the heart or lungs; occurs normally
during intense physical exertion or at high
altitude.
Eastern Equine Encephalitis
A member of the Alphavirus family transmitted by
mosquitos that generally infect horses but can cause
epidemics in humans. Those infected present symptoms
of malaise, headache, nausea, and vomiting.
Ebola
An RNA virus of the Filovirus family that causes one
of the viral hemorrhagic fevers. Contact with
infected body fluids rather than aerosols may be the
principal mode of transmission. The incubation
period is 20 to 21 days. The initial symptoms are
fever, headache, sore throat, abdominal pain,
vomiting and diarrhea. Those patients who exhibit
hemorrhage usually follow a downhill course to shock
and death.
Ecchymosis
A purplish patch caused by extravasation of blood
into the skin, differing from petechiae only in size
(larger than 3 mm diameter).
Eczema
Generic term for inflammatory conditions of the
skin, particularly with vesiculation in the acute
stage, typically erythematous, edematous, papular,
and crusting; followed often by lichenification and
scaling and occasionally by duskiness of the
erythema and, infrequently, hyperpigmentation; often
accompanied by sensations of itching and burning.
Edema
An accumulation of an excessive amount of watery
fluid in cells, tissues, or serous cavities.
Enanthem, Enanthema
A mucous membrane eruption, especially one occurring
in connection with one of the exanthemas.
Encephalitis (Pl. Encephalitides)
Inflammation of the brain.
Endemic
A disease process that is continuously present in a
given community, population, or geographic
location.
Endotoxemia
Presence in the blood of endotoxins.
Endotoxin
A toxin produced in an organisms and liberated only
when the organism disintegrates.
Endotracheal Intubation
Passage of a tube through the nose or mouth into the
trachea for maintenance of the airway during
anesthesia or for maintenance of an imperiled
airway.
Enterotoxin
Toxins of bacterial origin that affect the
intestines, causing diarrhea (e.g., toxins from
Vibrio cholera, Staphylococcus, Shigella, E. coli,
Clostridium perfringens, Pseudomonas.
Enzyme
A protein formed by living cells which acts as a
catalyst on physiological chemical processes.
Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay
(ELISA)
An immunological technique used to quantify the
amount of antigen or antibody in a sample such as
blood plasma or serum.
Epidemic
The condition in which a disease spreads rapidly
through a community in which that disease is not
normally present.
Epistaxis
Profuse bleeding from the nose.
Epizootic
a. Denoting a temporal pattern of disease occurrence
in an animal population in which the disease occurs
with a frequency clearly in excess of the expected
frequency in that population during a given time
interval.
b. An outbreak (epidemic) of disease
in an animal population; often with the implication
that it may also affect human populations.
Erythema
Redness of the skin due to capillary dilatation.
Erythema Multiforme
An acute eruption of macules, papules, or subdermal
vesicles presenting a multiform appearance, the
characteristic lesion being the target or iris
lesion over the dorsal aspect of the hands and
forearms; its origin may be allergic, seasonal, or
from drug sensitivity, and the eruption, although
usually self-limited (e.g., multiforme minor), may
be recurrent or may run a severe course, sometimes
with fatal termination (e.g., multiforme major).
Erythrocyte
A mature red blood cell.
Erythropoiesis
The formation of red blood cells.
Etiologic Agent
A viable microorganism or its toxin that causes, or
may cause, human disease.
Exanthema
A skin eruption occurring as a symptom of an acute
viral or coccal disease, as in scarlet fever or
measles.
Exotoxin
A toxin secreted by a microorganism into the
surrounding medicine.
Extracellular
Outside the cells.
Extraocular
Adjacent to but outside the eyeball.
Fasciculation
Involuntary contractions, or twitchings, of groups
(fasciculi) of muscle fibers, a coarser form of
muscular contraction than fibrillation.
Febrile
Denoting or relating to fever.
Filovirus
A member of the Filoviridae viral family.
Filoviruses are highly pathogenic and capable of
epidemic transmission. The family includes the Ebola
and Marburg viruses. Filoviruses are stringshaped,
often with a little hook or loop at one end.
Flash Message
A communication message with top priority to warn
units of an actual or predicted chemical or
biological agent hazard; a category of the NBC
Warning and Reporting System.
Fomite
Objects, such as clothing, towels, and utensils that
possibly harbor a disease agent and are capable of
transmitting it.
Formalin
A 37 percent aqueous solution of formaldehyde.
Fulminant Hepatitis
Severe, rapidly progressive loss of hepatic function
due to viral infection or other cause of
inflammatory destruction of liver tissue.
Fungus
A general term used to denote a group of eukaryotic
protist, including mushrooms, yeasts, rusts, molds,
smuts, etc., which are characterized by the absence
of a rigid cell wall composed of chitin, mannans,
and sometimes cellulose.
Gene
A sequence of nucleic acids in the DNA molecules
representing the genetic code for the production of
one or more proteins in a living cell.
Generalized Vaccinia
Secondary lesions of the skin following vaccination
that may occur in subjects with previously healthy
skin but are more common in the case of traumatized
skin, especially in the case of eczema (eczema
vaccinatum). In the latter instance, generalized
vaccinia may result from mere contact with a
vaccinated person. Secondary vaccinial lesions may
also occur following transfer of virus from the
vaccination to another site by means of the fingers
(autoinnoculation).
Germicide
An agent that destroys disease-causing
microorganisms.
Gram Stain
A staining procedure used in classifying bacteria. A
bacterial smear on a slide is stained with a purple
basic triphenyl methane dye, usually crystal violet,
in the presence of iodine/potassium iodide. The
cells are then rinsed with alcohol or other solvent,
and then counterstained, usually with safranin. The
bacteria then appear purple or red according to
their ability to keep the purple stain when rinsed
with alcohol. This property is related to the
composition of the bacterial cell wall.
Gram-Negative
Refers to the inability of many bacteria to retain
crystal violet or similar stain through the standard
Gram stain procedure. They show only the red
counterstain.
Gram-Positive
Refers to the ability of many bacteria to retain
crystal violet or similar stain through the standard
Gram stain procedure. They retain a purple color.
Granulocytopenia
Less than the normal number of granular leukocytes
in the blood.
Guarnieri Bodies
Intracytoplasmic acidophilic inclusion bodies
observed in epithelial cells in variola (smallpox)
and vaccinia infections, and which include
aggregations of Paschen body's or virus particles.
Half-Life, Biological
The time required for the body to eliminate half of
the material taken in by natural biological means.
Hemagglutination
The agglutination of red blood cells; may be immune
as a result of specific antibody either for red
blood cell antigens per se or other antigens which
coat the red blood cells, or may be non-immune as in
hemagglutination caused by viruses or other
microbes.
Hemagglutinin
A substance, antibody or other, that causes
hemagglutination.
Hematemesis
Vomiting of blood.
Hematuria
Any condition in which the urine contains blood or
red blood cells.
Hemoglobin
The constituent of red blood cells that carried
oxygen and gives them their color.
Hemopoietic
Pertaining to or related to the formation of blood
cells.
Hemorrhage
The discharge of blood, as from a ruptured blood
vessel.
Hemorrhagic Fever
Any of a diverse group of diseases characterized by
a sudden onset, fever, muscle aches, petechiae,
bleeding in the internal organs, and shock.
Hematuria
Any condition in which the urine contains blood or
red blood cells.
Hemodynamic
Relating to the physical aspects of the blood
circulation.
Hemolysis
Alteration, dissolution, or destruction of red blood
cells in such a manner that hemoglobin is liberated
into the medium in which the cells are suspended
(e.g., by specific complement-fixing antibodies,
toxins, various chemical agents, tonicity,
alteration of temperature).
Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome
Hemolytic anemia and thrombocytopenia occurring with
acute renal failure.
Hemoptysis
The spitting of blood derived from the lungs or
bronchial tubes as a result of pulmonary or
bronchial hemorrhage.
Hepatic
Relating to the liver.
Heterologous
a. Pertaining to cytologic or histologic elements
occurring where they are not normally found.
b. Derived from an animal of a
different species, as the serum of a horse is
heterologous for a rabbit.
Host
Organism that serves as a home to, and often as a
food supply for, a parasite, such as a virus.
Hot Agent
An extremely lethal infectious microorganism that is
potentially airborne.
Hot Zone
An area that contains lethal, infectious organisms.
Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)
The condition of having antibodies indicating the
presence of HIV; the pathogen that causes Acquired
Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS).
Hyperemia
The presence of an increased amount of blood in a
part or organ.
Hyperesthesia
Abnormal acuteness of sensitivity to touch, pain, or
other sensory stimuli.
Hypotension
Subnormal arterial blood pressure.
Hypovolemia
A decreased amount of blood in the body.
Hypoxemia
Subnormal oxygenation of arterial blood, short of
anoxia.
Idiopathic
Denoting a disease of unknown cause.
Immunity
a. Resistance usually associated with the presence
of antibodies or cells in a body that effectively
resist the effects of an infectious disease organism
or toxin.
b. A condition of being able to
resist a particular disease especially through
preventing growth and development of a pathogenic
microorganism or by counteracting the effects of its
products.
Immunization
Administration either of a non-toxic antigen to
confer active immunity or antibody to confer passive
immunity to a person or animal in order to render
them insusceptible to the toxic effects of a
pathogen or toxin.
Immunoassay
Detection and assay of substances by serological
(immunological) methods; in most applications the
substance in question serves as antigen, both in
antibody production and in measurement of antibody
by the test substance.
Immunogen
An antigen that provokes an immune response.
Induration
a. The process of becoming extremely firm or hard,
or having such physical features.
b. A focus or region of indurated
tissue.
Infectious
Capable of producing disease in a susceptible host.
Inguinal
Relating to the groin.
Inoculation
Introduction into the body of the causative organism
of a disease.
Interim Biological Agent Detector
(IBAD) � Rapid Prototype
Detector that provides a near-term solution to a
deficiency in shipboard detection of biological
warfare agents. This equipment is capable of
detecting an increase in the particulate background,
which may indicate a man-made biological attack is
underway, and sampling the air for identification
analysis. It can also detect a change in background
within 15 minutes and can identify biological agents
within an additional 30 minutes.
Ion-Channel-Binding Toxins
These toxins interfere with the movement of ions
such as sodium or potassium, through membranes.
Isolation
Separation of infected persons or animals from
others to prevent or limit direct or indirect
transmissions of the infectious agent.
Joint Biological Point Detection
System (JBPDS)
The Army, Navy, Air Force, and Marine Corps use this
detection system. The developmental system will
replace all existing biological detection systems
(Biological Integrated Detection System, Interim
Biological Agent Detector, and Air Base/Port
Advanced Concept Technology Demonstration), and
provide biological detection capabilities throughout
the services and throughout the battlespace. The
common biological detection suite will consist of
four functionalities�
-
Trigger (detects a
significant change in the ambient aerosol in
real time).
-
Collector (collects samples
of the suspect aerosol for analysis by the
JBPDS, and for confirmatory analysis by
supporting laboratories in the
Communications Zone and the continental U.S.
-
Detector (able to broadly
categorize the contents of the aerosol and
lend confidence to the detection process;
e.g., biological material in the aerosol or
not, bacteriological, spore, protein, etc.).
-
Identification (provides
presumptive identification of the suspect
biological warfare agent and increases
confidence in the detection process). The
JBPDS program consists of two phases.
(Block I and Block II) to allow
the fastest possible fielding of a joint
biological detection system, while at the same
time preparing to take advantage of the rapid
advances taking place in the biological
detection/identification, information processing
and engineering services.
Lassa Fever
An acute illness caused by the RNA containing
Arenavirus. This is also classified as one of the
viral hemorrhagic fevers. Transmission may be from
infected rodents, contact with infected body fluids,
or person-to-person contact. The incubation period
is 6 to 21 days. Headache, sore throat, cough, chest
pain, abdominal pain, vomiting, diarrhea and fever
are frequent symptoms.
Lethal Toxin
One of the proteins comprising the anthrax toxin; a
zinc metalloprotease with a molecular weight of
90,000.
Leukopenia
The opposite of leukocytosis; any situation in which
the total number of leukocytes in the circulating
blood is less than normal, the lower limit of which
is generally regarded as 4000-5000/mm3.
Long Range Biological Standoff
Detection System (LR-BSDS) P31
This detection system uses infrared light detection
and ranging (Infrared Light-Detection and Ranging)
technology to detect, range, and track aerosol
clouds that are indicative of a biological warfare
attack; the LR-BSDS cannot discriminate biological
from non-biological clouds. The system has three
major components:
-
Aiode pulsed ionizing
radiation laser transmitter operating at
infrared wavelength.
-
A receiver and telescope.
-
An information processor and
display.
This system has been designed in two
phase: a non-developmental item phase designed to
rapidly field an interim capability, and a
pre-planned product improvement (P31) phase. The
nondevelopmental item system is able to detect and
track man-made aerosols out to 30 km, but noneyesafe
out to about 2.5 km. The P31 LR-BSDS will be eye
safe, have a longer operating range (50 km), and be
easier to operate.
Lumbosacral
Relating to the lumbar vertebrae and the sacrum.
Lumen (Pl. Lumina)
The space in the interior of a tubular structure,
such as an artery or the intestine.
Lymphadenopathy
Any disease process affecting a lymph node or lymph
nodes.
Lymphopenia
A reduction, relative or absolute, in the number of
lymphocytes in the circulating blood.
M31 Biological Integrated Detection
System (BIDS)
This detection system uses a multiple technology
approach, both developmental and off-the-shelf
material, to detect biological agents with maximum
accuracy. The BIDS is a vehicle-mounted, fully
integrated biological detection system. The system
is capable of detecting and presumptively
identifying four biological warfare agents
simultaneously in less than 45 minutes.
Macula, (Pl. Maculae)
a. A small spot, perceptibly different in color from
the surrounding tissue.
b. A small, discolored patch or spot
on the skin, neither elevated above nor depressed
below the skin's surface.
Malaria
A chronic parasitic disease caused by Plasmodia and
transmitted by the bites of infected mosquitoes. It
is accompanied by severe chills and fever at regular
intervals.
Marburg Virus
One of the RNA containing Filovirus family also
classified in the viral hemorrhagic fever group.
The incubation period is 3 to 9 days. The disease is
contracted by skin or mucous membrane contact with
blood or other tissues of infected monkeys or
humans. The disease is manifested by headache, sore
throat, muscle aches, chest pain, vomiting,
diarrhea, skin rash, jaundice, easy bruising and
bleeding.
Mediastinitis
Inflammation of the cellular tissue of the
mediastinum.
Mediastinum
The median partition of the thoracic cavity, covered
by the mediastinal pleura and containing all the
thoracic viscera and structures except the lungs.
Megakaryocyte
A large cell with a polyploid nucleus that is
usually multilobed; megakaryocytes are normally
present in bone marrow, not in the circulating
blood, and give rise to blood platelets.
Melena
Passage of dark-colored, tarry stools, due to the
presence of blood altered by the intestinal juices.
Melioidosis
An infectious disease of humans and animals caused
by Pseudomonas pseudomallei, a gramnegative
bacillus. A biological warfare attack with this
organism would most like be by the aerosol route.
Meningism
A condition in which the symptoms simulate a
meningitis, but in which no actual inflammation of
these membranes is present.
Meningitis
Inflammation of the membranes covering the brain and
spinal cord.
Meningococcemia
Presence of meningococci (N. meningitidis) in
the circulating blood.
Meninges
Any membrane; specifically, the membranous coverings
of the brain and spinal cord.
Microcyst
A tiny cyst, frequently of such dimensions that a
magnifying lens or microscope is required for
observation.
Microscopy
Investigation of minute objects by means of a
microscope.
Microorganism
Any organism of microscopic dimensions. Once they
enter the body, microorganisms multiply, overcoming
the body�s natural defenses, and produce disease.
Monkey Pox Virus
A virus that causes a blister type rash in monkeys
similar to small pox in man. The disease is endemic
in Western and Central Africa and has infected
humans in this geographic area. It may have the
ability for person-to-person transmission. It
causes swollen lymph nodes in the neck and groin
areas.
Moribund
Dying; at the point of death.
Mucocutaneous
Relating to mucous membrane and skin; denoting the
line of junction of the two at the nasal, oral,
vaginal, and anal orifices.
Myalgia
Muscular pain.
Mycotoxin
A fungal toxin. They can cause illness or death upon
ingestion, skin contact or inhalation. They exhibit
great stability and heat resistance. Mycotoxins are
difficult to detect, to identify, and to
decontaminate.
Mydriasis
Dilation of the pupil.
Narcosis
General and nonspecific reversible depression of
neuronal excitability, produced by a number of
physical and chemical agents, usually resulting in
stupor rather than in anesthesia.
Necrosis
Pathologic death of one or more cells, or of a
portion of tissue or organ, resulting from
irreversible damage.
Nephropathia Epidemica
A generally benign form of epidemic hemorrhagic
fever reported in Scandinavia.
Neurotoxic
Poisonous to nerve tissue.
Neutrophilia
An increase of neutrophilic leukocytes in blood or
tissues; also frequently used synonymously with
leukocytosis, inasmuch as the latter is generally
the result of an increased number of neutrophilic
granulocytes in the circulating blood (or in the
tissues, or both).
Node
Swelling
Nodule
A small mass of rounded or irregular shape.
Nosocomial
Denoting a new disorder (not the patient's original
condition) associated with being treated in a
hospital, such as a hospital-acquired infection.
Oliguria
Scanty urine production.
Organism
A complex structure of interdependent and
subordinate elements whose relations and properties
are largely determined by their function in the
whole.
Oropharynx
The portion of the pharynx that lies posterior to
the mouth; it is continuous above with the
nasopharynx via the pharyngeal isthmus and below
with the laryngopharynx.
Osteomyelitis
Inflammation of the bone marrow and adjacent bone.
Pancytopenia
Pronounced reduction in the number of erythrocytes,
all types of white blood cells, and the blood
platelets in the circulating blood.
Pandemic
Denoting a disease affecting or attacking the
population of an extensive region, country,
continent; extensively epidemic.
Papule
A small, circumscribed, solid elevation on the
skin.
Parasitemia
The presence of parasites in the circulating blood;
used especially with reference to malarial and other
protozoan forms, and microfilariae.
Passive Immunity
Providing temporary protection from disease through
the administration of exogenously produced antibody
(i.e., transplacental transmission of antibodies to
the fetus or the injection of immune globulin for
specific preventive purposes).
Pathogen
Biological agents that are disease-producing
microorganisms, such as bacteria, mycoplasma
rickettsia, fungi, or viruses.
Penicillin
A drug of choice for therapy of anthrax. (See
antibiotics.)
Peptide
Any of various amides that are derived from two or
more amino acids by combination of the amino group
of one acid with the carboxyl group of another and
are usually obtained by partial hydrolysis of
proteins.
Percutaneous
Denoting the passage of substances through unbroken
skin, for example, by needle puncture, including
introduction of wires and catheters.
Perivascular
Surrounding a blood or lymph vessel.
Petechia (Pl. Petechiae)
Minute hemorrhagic spots, of pinpoint to pinhead
size, in the skin, that are not blanched by
pressure.
Pharyngeal
Relating to the pharynx.
Pharyngitis
Inflammation of the mucous membrane and underlying
parts of the pharynx.
Photophobia
Morbid dread and avoidance of light.
Photosensitivity, or pain in the eyes with exposure
to light, can be a cause.
Plague
An acute infectious disease caused by Yersinia
pestis. Under normal conditions, humans become
infected as a result of contact with rodents and
their fleas. In a biological warfare scenario, the
plague bacillus could be delivered by means of
contaminated vectors (fleas) causing the bubonic
type or, more likely, by means of aerosol causing
the pneumonic type. The incubation period is 2 to 8
days following the bite of an infected flea and is
characterized by high fever; chills; prostration;
enlarged, painful lymph nodes known as buboes,
located particularly in the groin or under the arms.
The bacteria can invade the blood stream leading to
the septicemic form of the disease. Subsequent
invasion of the lungs causes a rapidly fatal form
known as pneumonic plague that can be transmitted
from person-to-person via airborne respiratory
droplets. The agent is highly infectious by the
aerosol route and most populations are completely
susceptible.
Plasma
The fluid portion of the blood, as opposed to the
particulate bodies suspended in the blood.
Pleurisy
Inflammation of the two membranous sacs (pleura),
each of which lines one side of the thoracic cavity
and envelops the adjacent lung, reducing the
friction of respiratory movements to a minimum.
Pneumonia
Inflammation of the lungs caused by viral or
bacterial infections or by irritants.
Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR)
An in-vitro method for enzymatically synthesizing
and amplifying defined sequences of DNA in molecular
biology. It can be used for improving DNA-based
diagnostic procedures for identifying unknown
biological warfare agents.
Polymorphonuclear
Having nuclei of varied forms; denoting a variety of
leukocyte.
Polyuria
Excessive excretion of urine.
Potency
The quality or state of having force or power to
cause an effect, as�
-
Chemical or medicinal
strength (e.g., a vaccine or drug).
-
The ability of a pathogen or
toxin to cause infection or intoxication.
(When two pathogens or toxins are being
compared, the one with the smallest
effective dose is the most potent.)
Presynaptic Neurotoxins
Microbial paralytic toxins, such as botulinum and
tetanus toxins and snake phospholipases. They block
release of actylcholine from nerve terminals.
Prophylaxis (Pl. Prophylaxes)
The prevention of disease or of a process that can
lead to disease.
Prostration
A marked loss of strength, as in exhaustion.
Protein
Any of numerous naturally occurring extremely
complex substances that consist of amino-acid
residues joint by peptide bonds, contain the
elements carbon, hydrogen, nitrogen, oxygen, usually
sulfur, and occasionally other elements and include
many essential biological compounds or
immunoglobulins.
Proteinuria
The presence of urinary protein in concentrations
greater than 0.3 g in a 24-hour urine collection or
in concentrations greater than 1 g/L in a random
urine collection on two or more occasions at least 6
hours apart; specimens must be clean, voided
midstream, or obtained by catheterization.
Pruritus
Itching.
Ptosis (Pl. Ptoses)
Drooping of the eyelids.
Pulmonary Edema
Swelling or excessive accumulation of serous fluid
in the lungs.
Pyrogenic
Causing fever.
Q Fever
An acute, febrile, incapacitating disease caused by
the rickettsial bacterium Coxiella burnetti and
transmitted via inhalation of contaminated aerosols,
the bites of infected ticks or ingestion of milk
from infected dairy animals. A biological warfare
attack would cause disease similar to that occurring
naturally.
Quarantine
Detaining, isolating, or restricting the activities
of people or animals exposed to a communicable
disease during the period in which the disease can
be transmitted to prevent others from contracting
disease.
Reservoir
Any person, animal, anthropod, plant, soil, or
substance (or combination of these) in which an
infectious agent normally lives and multiplies, on
which it depends for survival, and in which it
reproduces itself in such a manner that it can be
transmitted to a susceptible vector.
Retinitis
Inflammation of the retina (a delicate multiplayer
light-sensitive membrane lining the inner eyeball
and connected by the optic nerve to the brain).
Retrosternal
Posterior to the sternum.
Rhinorrhea
A discharge from the nasal mucous membrane.
Ribavirin
An antiviral drug used in the treatment of viral
hemorrhagic fevers.
Ricin
A glycoprotein toxic from the seed of the castor
plant. It blocks protein synthesis by altering the
RNA, thus killing the cell. Ricin�s significance as
a potential biological warfare agent relates to its
availability worldwide, ease of production, and
extreme pulmonary toxicity when inhaled.
Rickettsia
A microorganism of the genus Rickettisia, made up of
small rod-shaped coccoids occurring
intracytoplasmically or free in the lumen of the gut
of lice, fleas, ticks, and mites, by which they are
transmitted to man and other animals. They cause
diseases such as typhus, scrub typhus, and Rocky
Mountain Spotted Fever in humans.
Rift Valley Fever
One of the viral hemorrhagic fevers caused by the
Bunyaviridae viral group. It is transmitted to
humans by Aedes Aegypti mosquitoes. It may affect
the retina of the eye, leading to permanent
blindness.
Salmonella
A group of nonspore forming bacteria capable of
causing gastroenteritis, enteric fever, bactermia,
and localized infections. After ingestion of
contaminated food or water, nausea, vomiting,
diarrhea, fever headache, and muscle aches will
occur lasting between 2 to 7 days.
Saxitoxin
The parent compound of a family of chemically
related neurotoxins. In nature they are
predominantly produced by marine dinoflagellates,
although they have also been identified in
association with such diverse organisms as
blue-green algae, crabs, and the blue-ringed
octopus. The natural route of exposure to these
toxins is oral. In a biological warfare scenario,
the most likely route of delivery would be by
inhalation or toxic projectile. It could also be
used in a confined area to contaminate water
supplies.
Scarification
The making of a number of superficial incisions in
the skin. It is the technique used to administer
tularemia and smallpox vaccines.
Secondary Contamination
Contamination that occurs due to contact with a
contaminated person or object rather than to direct
contact with agent aerosols; cross contamination.
Septic Shock
-
Shock associated with sepsis,
usually associated with abdominal and pelvic
infection complicating trauma or operations.
-
Shock associated with
septicemia caused by Gram-negative
bacteria.
Sequellae
A condition following as a consequence of a
disease.
Serum
That part of the whole blood that remains after the
blood has clotted; generally yellowish in color.
Shigellosis
Bacillary dysentery caused by bacteria of the genus
Shigella, often occurring in epidemic
patterns.
Shock
An upset in the body caused by inadequate amounts of
blood circulating in the bloodstream. It can be
caused by marked blood loss, overwhelming infection,
severe injury to tissues, emotional factors, etc.
Smallpox
An acute, systemic, potentially fatal and highly
contagious viral disease caused by the variola
Orthopoxvirus; characterized by the appearance of
skin lesions and pustules on the face and body, with
chills and fever. Under natural conditions, the
virus is transmitted by direct (face-to-face)
contact with an infected case, by fomites, and
occasionally by aerosols.
Spores
Resistant, dormant cells of some bacteria; primitive
reproductive bodies of fungi.
Staphylococcal Enterotoxin
An incapacitating toxin produced by the bacterium
Staphylococcus aureus; responsible for the fever,
chills, and gastrointestinal upsets of �food
poisoning� from ingestion of improperly prepared
food items. The weaponized form is an aerosol;
potent incapacitator in small doses; could render up
to 80 percent of exposed personnel clinically ill
for approximately two weeks.
Sterile Abscess
An abscess whose contents are not caused by pyogenic
bacteria.
Sterilization
The complete killing of all organisms, usually by
the use of physical or chemical means such as
autoclaving or exposure to high concentrations of
formaldehyde.
Stridor
A high-pitched, noisy respiration, like the blowing
of the wind; a sign of respiratory obstruction,
especially in the trachea or larynx.
Submunition
Individual bomblets that can be filled with
biological or chemical agent and packed into the
aeroshell of a missile; follow independent flight
patterns after air burst release from the �parent�
missile.
Superantigen
An antigen that interacts with the T-cell receptor
in a domain outside of the antigen recognition site.
This type of interaction induces the activation of
larger numbers of T cells compared to antigens that
are presented in the antigen recognition site.
Superinfection
A new infection in addition to one already present.
T-Cell
Any of several types of lymphocytes that control
cell-mediated and humoral immunity, or that lyse
antigen-bearing cells.
T-2 Mycotoxin
A trichothecene mycotoxin produced by filamentous
fungi growing on moldy cereal grains.
Tachycardia
Rapid beating of the heart, conventionally applied
to rates over 100 per minute.
Teratogenicity
The property or capability of producing fetal
malformation.
Tetracycline
A drug that can be used in combination with
streptomycin in the therapy of brucellosis. It is
also a drug of choice for Q Fever and may be used as
alternative therapy for plague and tularemia. (See
antibiotic.)
Thrombocytopenia
A condition in which there is an abnormally small
number of platelets in the circulating blood.
Toxemia
A condition caused by the circulation of toxins in
the blood.
Toxic
Poisonous.
Toxin
Any poisonous substance of microorganism, plant, or
animal origin.
Toxoid
A modified bacterial toxin that has been rendered
nontoxic (commonly with formaldehyde) but retains
the ability to stimulate the formation of antitoxins
(antibodies) and, thus, producing an active
immunity. Examples include Botulinum, Tetanus, and
Diphtheria Toxoids.
Tracheitis
Inflammation of the lining membrane of the trachea
(a thin-walled cartilaginous and membranous tube
carrying air to the lungs).
Trichothecene Mycotoxins
A diverse group of more than 40 compounds produced
by fungi. They are potent inhibitors or protein
synthesis, impair DNA synthesis, alter cell membrane
structure and function, and inhibit mitochondrial
respiration. Secondary metabolites of fungi, such as
T-2 toxin and others, produce toxic reactions called
mycotoxicoses upon inhalation or consumption of
contaminated food products by humans or animals.
Tularemia
A zoonotic disease caused by Francisella
tularensis, a gram-negative bacillus. Humans
acquire the disease under natural conditions through
inoculation of skin or mucous membranes with blood
or tissue fluids of infected animals, or bites of
infected deerflies, mosquitoes, or ticks.
Undulating
Rising and falling; fluctuating.
Urticaria
An eruption of itching wheals, usually of systemic
origin; it may be due to a state of hypersensitivity
to foods or drugs, foci of infection, physical
agents (heat, cold, light, friction), or psychic
stimuli.
Vaccine
A suspension of attenuated live or killed
microorganisms (bacteria, viruses, or rickettsiae),
or fractions thereof, administered to induce
immunity and thereby prevent infectious disease.
Vaccinia
An infection, primarily local and limited to the
site of inoculation, induced in man by inoculation
with the vaccinia (cowpox) virus in order to confer
resistance to smallpox (variola). On about the third
day after vaccination, papules form at the site of
inoculation which become transformed into
umbilicated vesicles and later pustules; they then
dry up, and the scab falls off on about the 21st
day, leaving a pitted scar; in some cases there are
more or less marked constitutional disturbances.
Varicella
An acute contagious disease, usually occurring in
children, caused by the varicella-zoster virus, a
member of the family Herpesviridae. It is marked by
a sparse eruption of papules, which become vesicles
and then pustules, like those of smallpox although
less severe and varying in stages, usually with mild
constitutional symptoms. The incubation period is
about 14 to 17 days (synonym: chickenpox).
Variola
Smallpox.
Variolation
The historical practice of inducing immunity against
smallpox by �scratching� the skin with the purulency
from smallpox skin pustules.
Vectors
An animal, insect, or other organism that carries
and transmits a virus or other microorganism.
Venezuelan Equine Encephalitis
A member of the Alphavirus family transmitted by
mosquitoes that generally infects horses but can
cause epidemics in humans. It can also cause
infections if aerosols containing the virus are
inhaled. Infection is manifested by fever, headache,
sore throat, vomiting, and muscle aches.
Viral Hemorrhagic Fevers
A diverse group of human viral illnesses
characterized by acute febrile onset accompanied by
headache and complicated by increased vascular
permeability, damage, and bleeding; mortality is
high. Examples include Rift Valley Fever, Ebola
Hemorrhagic Fever, and Yellow Fever.
Viremia
The presence of virus in the bloodstream.
Virion
The complete virus particle that is structurally
intact and infectious.
Virus
Any of a large group of submicroscopic agents
infecting plants, animals, and bacteria and unable
to reproduce outside the tissues of the host.
Western Equine Encephalitis Virus
A member of the Alphavirus family transmitted to
mosquitoes that generally affects horses but can
cause epidemics in humans.
Yellow Fever Virus
A member of the Flavivirus group endemic to South
America and Africa transmitted to humans by the
Aedes Aegypti mosquito. It is also a viral
hemorrhagic fever virus. After a 3 to 6 day
incubation period, there is abrupt onset of
headache, nausea, vomiting, muscle aches, chills,
and fever.
Yellow Rain
A lethal yellow substance thought to have been
dispersed aerially as a warfare agent in Southeast
Asia and Afghanistan; the lethal component is
thought to have been a trichothecene mycotoxin.
Reported to produce severe nausea and vomiting,
disturbances in the central nervous system, fever,
chills, and abnormally low blood pressure. Case
mortality approximately 50 percent.
Zoonosis
An infection or infestation shared in nature by
humans and other animals that are the normal or
usual host; a disease of humans acquired from an
animal source.
Zootoxin
A toxin or poison of animal, such as the venom of
snakes, spiders, and scorpions.
Undiluted agent that has not been
decontaminated or neutralized, but that could
possibly be removed for unauthorized purposes.
Includes agents in munitions, bulk, and in
laboratory containers.
Action Level
A concentration designated in Code of Federal
Regulations, Part 1910, Title 29 for a specific
substance, calculated as an 8-hour time-weighted
average (TWA) which initiates certain required
activities such as exposure monitoring and medical
surveillance. (Note: For many substances the action
level is one-half the permissible exposure limit.)
Agent
A force or substance that causes a change.
Agent Activity/Operation
Any operation which involved chemical agents,
including storage, shipping, handling,
manufacturing, maintenance, test chamber activities,
laboratory activities, surveillance,
demilitarization, decontamination, disposal, and
training.
Agent Area
A physical location where entry and exit are
restricted and controlled; where agents are
manufactured, processed, packaged, repackaged,
demilitarized, released, handled, stored, used, or
disposed of.
Agent Facility
Any location at which chemical agent operations are
carried out including storage facilities,
renovation, maintenance, and demilitarization
facilities, manufacturing plants, disposal sites,
and laboratories. Depending on the activity, the
facility may be a building, enclosure, or possibly
an open area.
Agent BZ
The chemical 3-quinuclidinyl ester, CAS Registry No.
6581-06-2. BZ is a code designation for a potent
psychoactive compound that has a pharmacological
action similar to that of other anticholinergic
drugs (e.g., atropine, scopolamine) except that the
effects are more severe and longer lasting. It has
an incapacitating agent classified as a Class B
poison for transportation purposes. It is an
odorless, white crystalline solid that in granular
form may be compounded with a fuel-oxidizer mix for
thermal dissemination.
Agent GA
The chemical Ethyl
N,N-dimethylphosphoramidocyanidate, CAS Registry No.
77-81-6, in pure form and in the various impure
forms found in storage as well as in industrial,
depot, or laboratory operations (synonym - Tabun).
Agent GA is a nerve agent.
Agent GB
The chemical Isopropyl methylphosphonofluoridate,
CAS Registry No. 107-44-8, in pure form and in the
various impure forms found in storage as well as in
industrial, depot, or laboratory operations (synonym
- Sarin). Agent GB is a nerve agent.
Agent GD
The chemical Pinacolyl methyl phosphonofluoridate,
methyl-1, 2, 2-trimethylpropyl ester, CAS Registry
No. 96-64-0, in pure form and in the various impure
forms found in storage as well as in industrial,
depot, or laboratory operations (synonym - Soman).
Agent GD is a nerve agent.
Agent H
Levinstein mustard, CAS Registry No. 471-03-4. A
mixture of 70 percent bis(2-chloroethyl) sulfide and
30 percent sulfur impurities produced by the
Levinstein process. Agent H is a blister.
Agent HD
Distilled mustard or bis(2-chloroethyl) sulfide, CAS
Registry No. 505-60-2. Distilled mustard (HD) is
mustard (H) that has been purified by washing and
vacuum distillation to reduce sulfur impurities.
Agent HD is a blister agent.
Agent HT
A plant-run mixture of 60 percent HD and 40 percent
T plus a variety of sulfur contaminants and
impurities. T is
bis[2-(2-chloroethylthio)ethyl]ether, CAS Registry
No. 63918-89-8. T is sulfur, oxygen and chlorine
compound similar in structure to HD. Agent HT is a
blister agent.
Agent L, or Lewisite
Dichloro 2-chlorovinyldichloroarsine, CAS Registry
No. 541-25-3; its chemical formula is C2H2AsCl3.
Agent L is a blister agent.
Agent Operating Area
That portion of an agent area where workers are
actively conducting agent operations.
Agent VX
The chemical Phosphonothioic acid,
methyl-S-[2-(bis(1-methylethyl)amino)ethyl] 0-ethyl
ester, CAS Registry No. 50782-69-9, in pure form and
in the various impure forms that may be found in
storage as well as in industrial, depot, or
laboratory operations. Agent VX is a nerve agent.
AIC
Acceptable Intake for Chronic Exposure.
Aldehydes
Any of various highly reactive compounds typified by
acetaldehyde and characterized by the group CHO.
Alkali
A class of bases that neutralize acids and forms
salts.
Amine
Any of a class of organic compounds derived from
ammonia by replacement of hydrogen with one or more
alkyl groups.
Analgesic
A substance used in medicine to relieve pain.
Anthropometric
Relates to the study of human body measurements,
especially on a comparative basis.
Aqueous Media
Environmental media that contain a large proportion
of water, such as storm water runoff from
agricultural fields, animal and plant fluids, etc.
Arsenicals
A category of blister agents in which arsenic is the
central atom. Although more volatile than mustard
agents, they are much more dangerous as liquids than
as vapors.
Atropine
An alkaloid obtained from the plant Atropa
belladonna. It is used as an antidote for nerve
agent poisoning. It inhibits the actions of
acetylcholine at the nerve/muscle junction.
Automatic Chemical Agent Alarm (ACAA)
See M8A1, M-21, M-22, and M-90 descriptions.
Automatic Continuous Air Monitoring
System (ACAMS)
This system can detect G agents, VX, or mustard at
very low levels. It is an automated gas
chromatograph that first collects agent on a solid
sorbent and then thermally desorbs the agent into a
separation column for analysis.
Automatic Liquid Agent Detector
(ALAD)
A liquid agent devise that can detect droplets of
GD, VX, HD, and Lewisite as well as thickened
agents. It transmits its alarm by field wire to a
central alarm unit.
Binary Chemical Munitions
Munitions designed to use two non-lethal chemicals
that combine only during weapon functions to produce
a chemical agent.
Binary Precursors
The component chemicals that combine to produce
chemical agents. Examples of two common chemical
agent ingredients are as follows:
-
The precursors for binary GB
(GB2)
are methylphosphonic difluoride (DF) and
isopropyl alcohol with an amine added (OPA).
-
The precursors for binary VX
(VX2
are O,O-ethyl (2-isopropyl
aminoethyl) methylphosphinite (QL) and
dimethylpolysulfide (NM).
Blast
The brief and rapid movement of air vapor away from
a center of outward pressure, as in an explosion.
This term is commonly used to mean explosion, but
the two terms should be distinguished.
Bliss Slope
The slope of the dose-response curve when the x-axis
is expressed as the log of the administered dose and
the y-axis is expressed as probits (probability
units) of response. It is also called a Probit
Slope.
Blister Agent
A chemical (e.g., sulfur mustard) that produces
local irritation and damage to the skin and mucous
membranes that progresses in severity to
fluid-filled blisters on skin. This chemical can
cause damage by exposure to liquid or vapor
inhalation. It can also produce damage to the
respiratory tract.
Blood Agent
A chemical (e.g., hydrogen cyanide, allyl chloride)
that is absorbed into the general circulation system
and carried to all body tissues. These agents
deprive tissue cells of oxygen, even though the
blood is capable of carrying oxygen. The brain,
being highly dependent upon a continual source of
oxygenation, is especially susceptible. Clinical
signs include hyperventilation, which further
enhances the dose received, resulting in abrupt
cardiovascular collapse.
Breathing Zone
That zone of the surrounding environment in which a
person performs the normal respiratory function.
Breathing Zone Sample
An air sample collected in the breathing area
(around the nose) of an individual to assess his/her
exposure to airborne contaminants.
Buddy-Aid
The administration of a chemical agent antidote to a
soldier exhibiting symptoms of severe chemical agent
poisoning when unable to administer self-aid.
Buffer Zone
As used by the FEMA and the USEPA, an area adjacent
to a restricted zone which residents may return to,
but where protective measures are recommended to
reduce dose or exposure.
CAIRA
Chemical Accident or Incident Response and
Assistance.
Chemical Accident/Incident (CAI)
Chemical events involving chemical agent material�
-
Chemical Accident: a chemical
event resulting from non-deliberate acts
where safety is of primary concern.
-
Chemical Incident: a chemical
event resulting from deliberate acts (e.g.,
terrorism or criminal acts) where security
is of concern.
Chemical Agent
A chemical substance that is intended for use in
military operations to kill, seriously injure, or
incapacitate people through its physiological
properties. For consideration are blood, nerve,
choking, blister, and incapacitating agents.
Excluded are industrial chemicals, riot control
agents, chemical herbicides, and smoke and flame
materials.
Chemical Agent Casualty
An individual who has been affected sufficiently by
a chemical agent to prevent or seriously degrade his
or her ability to carry out the mission.
Chemical Agent Monitor (CAM)/Improved
Chemical Agent Monitor (ICAM)
This item is used to detect chemical agent vapors
and provide a readout of the relative concentration
of the vapor present. It is a hand-held,
battery-operated device for the monitoring of
decontamination procedures and effectiveness on
personnel and equipment. It can detect, identify and
provide relative vapor concentration readouts for G
and V-type nerve agents and H-type blister agents.
The ICAM is a hand-held, soldier-operated,
post-attack device for monitoring chemical agent
decontamination on people and equipment. It detects
vapors of chemical agents by sensing molecular ions
of specific mobilities (time of flight) and uses
timing and microprocessor techniques to reject
interference.
Chemical Bombs
Devices in which a chemical reaction takes place
within a confined space. The following are the most
common types:
-
Acid Bomb. Common ingredients
are hydrochloric acid and aluminum foil that
chemically reacts to give off heat,
ultimately producing hydrogen gas and
sufficient pressure to burst the container.
-
Caustic Bomb. Alkali based
devices mixed with water and aluminum foil.
The most common ingredient is sodium
hydroxide, a corrosive in both liquid and
solid forms that can immediately cause
serious burns to skin on contact.
-
Dry Ice Bomb. When dry ice
evaporates, carbon dioxide gas is released.
It usually takes 30 to 45 minutes for enough
pressure to build to rupture the contained.
When detonation occurs before all the dry
ice has evaporated, the remaining dry ice
becomes fragments that can cause frostbite
when contacting skin tissues.
Chemical Cartridge
A type of absorption unit used with a respirator for
removal of solvent vapors and certain gases.
Chemical Contamination
The deposition of chemical agents on personnel,
clothing, equipment, structures, or areas. Chemical
contamination mainly consists of liquid, solid
particles, and vapor hazards. Vapor hazards are
probably the most prevalent means of contaminating
the environment, although they are not necessarily a
contact hazard.
Chemical Demilitarization
The mutilation, destruction, or neutralization of
chemical agent materials, rendering it harmless and
ineffectual for military purposes.
Chemical Demilitarization Program
The Department of Defense was directed by Congress
through Public Law 99-145 as the government agency
responsible for the destruction of the chemical
weapons stockpile. This program is also responsible
ensuring maximum protection to the environment,
general public, and personnel involved in the
destruction effort. To comply with treaty agreements
and Congressional mandate, destruction of these
weapons must be complete by 2007. The Program
Manager for Chemical Demilitarization is responsible
for the Chemical Stockpile Disposal Program that
consists of four separate programs�
-
The Chemical Stockpile
Disposal Program (CDSP): responsible for the
destruction of the U.S. stockpile of unitary
chemical weapons. The current technology
uses manual unpacking, automated
disassembly, and incineration of agent,
explosives, metal, and dunnage in four
separate incinerators, followed by exhaust
gas processing through separate pollution
abatement systems.
-
The Alternative Technologies
and Approaches (ATA): responsible for
conducting pilot testing of alternative
destruction technologies that may be
implemented in future chemical weapon
destruction facilities.
-
The Non-Stockpile Chemical
Materiel Program (NSCMP): responsible for
the destruction of non-stockpile chemical
warfare material, including binary chemical
weapons, miscellaneous chemical warfare
materiel, recovered chemical weapons, former
production facilities, and buried chemical
warfare materiel.
-
The Chemical Stockpile
Emergency Preparedness Program (CSEPP):
responsible for providing maximum protection
of the civilian population during storage,
handling, and destruction of the U.S.
chemical weapons stockpile by improving
state and local governments preparedness for
an accidental release of agent.
Chemical Event
Applies to the following:
-
Chemical agent leaks of
munitions in the chemical agent stockpile.
-
Requirements for emergency
transportation and/or disposal of known or
suspected chemical agents.
-
Any release of chemical agent
to the environment outside of closed
systems, facilities, or devices (for
example, lab hood, glove box, munitions,
bulk container which are specifically
designed to contain chemical agents) greater
than established The Surgeon General
airborne exposure standards (as per
Department of Defense Directive 6055.9
standards promulgated in Army Regulation
385-64), or release resulting in personnel
exhibiting clinical signs or symptoms of
chemical agent exposure.
-
Any exposure or release of
agent that does not exceed airborne exposure
standards established by The Surgeon General
but, nonetheless, is receiving media
attention.
-
Any deliberate release of
chemical agent resulting from a terrorist or
criminal act (including employment of an
improvised chemical device intended to
disperse chemical agent regardless of
whether device has functioned or not).
-
Loss of chemical surety
material (other than deliberate destruction
by approved, authorized laboratory, and
demilitarization process, including training
expenditures).
-
Release of or exposure to
chemical agents, whether classified as
chemical agent or experiments.
Chemical Event Emergency Notification
System
A joint system of emergency notification of chemical
events for off-post response. If a release of
chemical agents happens, immediate action must be
taken to notify and protect personnel in the
predicted hazard area. The criteria to make this
notification will be based on predicted dosage and
distances.
Chemical Management Evaluation
An evaluation conducted by The Inspector General or
the Major Army Command Inspector General of chemical
operations with inquiry into the chemical functions
and responsibilities of staff agencies, inspection
teams, major and intermediate command levels, and
assistance teams to determine management, systemic,
or functional problem areas in the chemical program
attributable to any echelon.
Chemical Overgarment-84 (OG-84)
This garment is a camouflage colored (woodland or
desert), expendable, two-piece over garment
consisting of one coat and one pair of trousers. It
provides protection against chemical agent vapors,
liquid droplets, biological agents, toxins, and
radioactive alpha contamination. Its protective
qualities last for a minimum of 30 days. This over
garment provides a minimum of 24 hours of protection
against exposure to liquid or vapor chemical agent.
Chemical Substance
A substance usually associated with some description
of its toxicity or exposure hazard, including
solids, liquids, mists, vapors, fumes, gases, and
particulate aerosols. Exposure, via inhalation,
ingestion, or contact with skin or eyes, may cause
toxic effects, usually in a dose-dependent manner.
Chemical Surety
Those controls, procedures, and actions that
contribute to the safety, security, and reliability
of chemical agents and their associated weapon
systems throughout their life cycle without
degrading operational performance.
Chemical Surety Material
All lethal and incapacitating chemical agents and
their related weapon systems, including binary
munitions and their critical components that are
either adopted or considered for military use.
Excluded are riot control agents, defoliants,
incendiaries, smoke, and flame.
Chemical Warfare
All aspects of military operations involving the use
of lethal munitions/agents and the warning and
protective measures associated with such offensive
operations.
Chemical Weapons
-
Toxic chemicals and their
precursors, except where intended for
purposes not prohibited under the Chemical
Weapons Convention.
-
Munitions and devices,
specifically designed to cause death or
other harm through the toxic properties of
toxic chemicals which would be released as a
result of the employment of such munitions
and devices.
-
Any equipment specifically
designed for use directly in connection with
the employment of munitions.
Chemical Weapons Convention
This Convention prohibits the development,
production, stockpiling, and use of chemical
weapons. It was opened for signature in 1993, and
entered into force in 1997. The Organization for the
Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) in the Hague
is responsible for implementation. The State Parties
to this Convention work towards achieving effective
progress towards general and complete disarmament
under strict and effective international control,
including the prohibition and elimination of all
types of weapons of mass destruction. This
Convention reaffirms the principles and objectives
of and obligations assumed under the Geneva Protocol
of 1925, and the Convention on the Prohibition of
the Development, Production, and Stockpiling of
Bacteriological (Biological) and Toxin Weapons and
on their Destruction signed on in April 1972.
Chemical Weapons System
An integrated relationship of chemical agents,
munitions or spraying devices and their mode of
delivery to the target.
Choking Agent
Compounds that injure an unprotected individual
chiefly in the respiratory tract (the nose, throat,
and lungs). In extreme cases membranes swell, lungs
become filled with liquid, and death results from
lack of oxygen.
Chlorine (Cl)
A choking agent. A chemical agent that is typically
a non-persistent, heavy greenish-yellow gas. It
irritates the eyes and throat and can lead to
pulmonary edema resulting in death.
Cholinesterase (ChE)
An enzyme that catalyzes the hydrolysis of
acetocholine to choline (a vitamin) and acetic
acid.
Clean Areas
Those areas where environments are free of liquid
agent contamination and have been monitored to
verify that air concentrations are below the adverse
effect levels.
Complementary Binary Precursors
Both the critical and non-critical precursors of a
binary chemical agent (e.g., DF and OPA, or QL and
NM).
Confounder
A condition or variable that may be a factor in
producing the same response as the substance under
study. The effects of such factors may be discerned
through careful design and analysis.
Controlled Release
A release of a chemical agent that may not be
intended but is anticipated. It is followed by
immediate action that will suppress the vapor or
liquid release by approved decontamination
procedures and/or use of other suppression
techniques that have also been approved beforehand.
Cyanide
A compound that contains nitrogen and a carbon atom
bound in a special way. It is very poisonous and
affects the ability of our tissues to use oxygen.
Health effects are similar whether it is breathed,
ingested, or come in contact with skin. Symptoms
include difficulty breathing, irregular heartbeat,
uncontrolled movement, convulsions, coma, and
possibly death.
Decomposition
The breaking down of a substance of compound through
a chemical reaction into its similar components.
Demilitarization
The mutilation, destruction, or neutralization of
chemical agent material, thereby, rendering it
harmless and ineffectual for military purposes.
Desiccant
A substance that has an affinity for water.
Detection Limit
Analytical capability based on the amount of the
sample and the sensitivity of the analytical
method.
Diesel Fuel Smoke
A visual obscurant used to conceal personnel and
equipment. It is formed by injecting diesel fuel
into the exhaust manifold of a tactical vehicle
where the fuel is vaporized and expelled with the
vehicle�s exhaust. Upon dilution and cooling to the
ambient temperature, the fuel condenses into a dense
white smoke.
Dilute Solutions
Those mixtures presenting significantly reduced
hazards. A solution of H, HD, L, or HT is considered
dilute if its concentration is not greater than 10
milligrams per milliliter (neat agent/solvent) and
it contains no more than 100 mg of neat agent. For
agent GB, a maximum concentration of 2 mg/mL of
agent in a solution containing a maximum quantity of
20 mg of neat agent is considered dilute. For agent
VX, a maximum concentration of 1 mg/mL of agent in a
solution containing a maximum quantity of 10 mg of
neat agent is considered dilute.
DS-2
A decontaminating agent against biological and
chemical contamination, an agestropic mixture
combining diethylenetriamine (70 percent), ethylene
glycol monomethyl ether (28 percent), and sodium
hydroxide (2 percent).
Enzyme
Organic substance capable of causing chemical
changes to take place quickly at body temperature by
catabolic action as in digestion.
Erythema
A severe redness of the skin, as caused by chemical
poisoning or sunburn.
Exclusion Area
The area immediately surrounding one or more
receptacles in which chemical agents are contained.
In the absence of positive preventive measures,
access into area constitutes access to the chemical
agent.
Experimental Chemical Agent
Chemical substances being tested, developed, or
altered for chemical defense purposes that will be
used solely by the military. These substances will
have toxicities equal to or greater than current
nerve or mustard agents.
Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD)
The detection, identification, field evaluations,
rendering safe, recovery, and final disposal of
unexploded explosive ordnance or munitions chemical
agents.
Explosive Ordnance Disposal
Procedures
Those particular courses or modes of action for
access to, recovery, render safe, and final disposal
of explosive ordnance or any hazardous material
associated with an explosive ordnance disposal
incident.
Exposed Worker, Chemical Agent
-
An exposed worker�
-
Exhibits clinical
signs or symptoms or nerve agent
intoxication.
-
Has cholinesterase
depression, consistent with nerve agent
effect.
-
A potentially exposed worker�
-
Works in an agent
operating area where levels of nerve
agent or mustard exceed the protective
capability of the personal protective
equipment.
-
Works in an agent
operating area where levels of nerve
agent or mustard are detectable and
there is a breech in personal protective
equipment or engineering controls.
-
An exposed worker is an
individual who exhibits clinical signs or
symptoms of mustard effect.
Feasibility Study
A study undertaken by the lead agency to develop and
evaluate options for remedial action.
Flash Point
The lowest temperature at which a substance gives
off enough combustible vapors to produce momentary
ignition when a flame is applied under controlled
conditions.
Fog Oil Smoke
Smoke generated by injecting mineral oil into a
heated manifold. The oil vaporizes upon heating and
condenses when exposed to the atmosphere, producing
respirable particles. Graphite can be added to fog
oil to provide screening in the infrared range of
the electromagnetic spectrum. The chemical and
physical properties of fog oil are similar to those
of petroleum-based lubricating and cutting oils.
G-Series Nerve Agents
Include tabun (GA), sarin (GB), soman (GD), and GF
that are members of a class of compounds that are
more lethal and quicker acting than mustard. They
act rapidly and may be absorbed through the skin or
the respiratory tract. Exposure to a lethal dose may
cause death in as little as several minutes. These
less persistent agents are used to cause immediate
casualties and to create a short-term respiratory
hazard on the battlefield.
Gas
A fluid that has neither independent shape nor
volume but tends to expand indefinitely.
Hexachloroethane Smoke
The toxicity of hexachloroethane (HCE) (referred to
as HC smoke) is attributed to the production of zinc
chloride. HC smoke is produced by burning a mixture
containing roughly equal parts of hexachloroethane
and zinc oxide. The U.S. military uses HC smoke in a
wide variety of munitions. It is used in smoke pots
and smoke grenades to generate a screening effect.
Hg
Mercury.
High-Efficiency Particulate Air
(HEPA) Filter
A filter that is at least 99.97 percent efficient in
removing particles with a diameter of 0.3 ; used to
treat exhaust air from equipment that may generate
aerosols.
Hydrocarbons
An organic compound containing only carbon hydrogen
and often occurring in petroleum, natural gas, coal,
and bitumens.
Hydrolyzed
Refers to a compound which has undergone chemical
reaction with water; hydrolysis is the reaction of a
particular compound (e.g., a chemical warfare agent)
with water to form new chemical compounds ("reaction
products").
ICt50
Inhalation dose of a chemical agent (vapor or
aerosol) that produces a given, defined level of
"incapacitation" in 50 percent of the exposed
subjects (see ED50,
and consider "incapacitation" as the effect). (NOTE:
There is no general consensus on a military
definition of incapacitation. It can refer to
behavioral manifestations, physiologic endpoints, or
individual combat effectiveness, all of which may
vary depending upon the task the individual soldier
is expected to accomplish.)
ID50
Dose of a liquid chemical agent needed to produce
"incapacitation" in 50 percent of the exposed
subjects (see note under ICt50).
Idiosyncratic Reaction
A genetically determined abnormal reactivity to a
chemical.
Igloo
A reinforced concrete, earth-covered shelter used
for storing explosives and munitions.
Impervious
Providing protection by precluding penetration of a
substance (as demonstrated by methods in Military
Standard 282) for the useful life of the item
concerned.
Improved (Chemical Agent) Point
Detection System (IPDS)
This detection system is a new shipboard point
detector and alarm that replaces the Chemical Agent
Point Detection System. This system can detect nerve
and blister agent vapors at low levels and
automatically provides an alarm to the ship.
Incendiary
Primarily an antimaterial compound that generates
sufficient heat to cause destructive thermal
degradation or destructive combustion of material.
Individual Chemical Agent Detector
(ICAD)
A miniature lightweight chemical warfare agent
detector that can be worn by the individual. It
detects and alarms to nerve, blood, choking, and
blister agents and is intended for a variety of
applications. It may be used as a point detector.
Industrial Chemical
Chemicals developed or manufactured for use in
industrial operations or research, by industry,
Government, or the academia. These chemicals are not
primarily manufactured for the specific purpose of
producing human casualties or rendering equipment,
facilities, or areas dangerous for use by man.
Hydrogen cyanide (AC), cyanogen chloride (CK), and
phosgene (CG) and methylphosphonicdifluoride (DF)
are considered industrial chemicals.
Interspecies Dose Conversion
The process of estimating equivalent doses between
species (e.g., frequently a known animal dose is
converted to estimate an equivalent human dose). The
USEPA's cancer risk assessment guidelines generally
recommend using the surface area approach unless
there is evidence to the contrary. The dose as mg/kg
of body weight/day divided by a 10-fold UF is
generally used to convert between species for
non-cancer effects of chemicals.
Joint Chemical Agent Detector (JCAD)
This detector will employ surface acoustic wave
technology to detect nerve and blister agents. It
will also allow detection of new forms of nerve
agents.
Joint Service Lightweight Standoff
Chemical Agent Detector (JSLSCAD)
This detector is a fully coordinated joint service
Research, Development, Test, and Evaluation program,
chartered to develop a lightweight standoff chemical
detector for the quad-services. It will be capable
of scanning 360 degrees x 60 degrees, and
automatically detecting nerve or blister agents at a
distance up to 5 km. The system will be light,
compact, and operate from a stationary position or
on the move. The JSLSCAD Michelson interferometer
employs a passive infrared system that will detect
presence of chemical agents by completing a spectral
analysis of target vapor agent chemical clouds. This
detector is envisioned for employment on various
platforms and in various roles, including fixed site
defense, unmanned aerial vehicles, tank and other
vehicles, and on board ships.
Joint Service Warning and
Identification LIDAR Detector (JSWILD)
This detector is a joint effort chartered to develop
a chemical warning and identification system for the
quad-services. The JSWILD will be a lightweight,
vehicle-mountable, contamination monitoring system,
which detects and quantifies all types of chemical
agent contamination (including agent rain, vapors,
and aerosols) in a standoff mode from a distance of
20 km. In addition, it will provide similar but
short-range (1-5 km) capabilities in biological
standoff detection as the LR-BSDS. It will operate
from fixed sites and ground vehicles. The system has
distance-ranging and contamination-mapping
capabilities and transmits this information to a
battlefield information network.
K Agents
Incapacitating agents.
Levinstein Mustard (H)
A blister agent. It contains about 30 percent sulfur
impurities. The properties of H are essentially the
same as HD except that sulfur impurities lessen its
effectiveness and depress the freezing point by 2 to
5 degrees.
M8 Chemical Agent Detection Paper
A chemically treated, dye-impregnated paper, issued
in a book of 25 sheets. It is designed to detect
liquid V, G, and H agents. M8 paper will change
colors to identify non-persistent G-type nerve
(yellow), V-type nerve (black or dark green), or
blister (red) agents. It is included in the M256A I
Kit and in the M18A2 Chemical Agent Detection Kit.
M8A1 Automatic Chemical Agent Alarm
(ACAA) System
The only remote continuous air-sampling alarm in the
U.S. Army. This alarm will sample the air for the
presence of nerve agent vapors (GA, GB, GD, or VX)
only. It is capable of detecting nerve agent levels
in 2 minutes or less. The system is an
electrochemical, point sampling, chemical agent
alarm that can be hand-carried, backpacked, or
mounted on a tactical vehicle. It consists of the
M43A1 detector, as many as 5 M42 alarm units, and
various power supplies. The M8A1 will automatically
signal the presence of the nerve agent in the air by
providing troops with both an audible and visible
warning. It requires an NRC license.
M9 Chemical Agent Detection Paper
A self-adhesive paper that can be readily attached
to the body or to vehicles, shelters, and other
equipment. It cannot distinguish the identity of
agents. The agent sensitive dye will turn red upon
contact with liquid nerve agents (G and V) and
blister agents (H and L). The paper produced colored
spots when in contact with nerve and blister
agents.
M11 Portable Decontaminating
Apparatus
A device containing DS-2 used to decontaminate small
areas, such as the steering wheel or other equipment
that soldiers must touch. It is filled with 1 1/3
quarts of DS-2.
M13 Portable Decontaminating
Apparatus
The M13 is about the size of a 5-gallon gasoline can
and is used to decontaminate vehicles and
crew-served weapons larger than a .50-caliber
piece.
M17 Lightweight Decontamination
System (LDS)
The M17 is a portable pump and water-heating unit
for producing hot water and steam. The system
incorporates a 1,580-gallon collapsible water tank,
two wand assemblies, connecting hoses, and a shower
rail. It is issued to Army battalion-size units and
to chemical decontamination companies and
battalions.
M17 Protective Mask
This chemical and biological mask assembly includes
the mask, the M15A1 carrier, two lens outserts, and
the M1 waterproofing bag. It is made of molded
rubber with filter elements in each cheek, plastic
eye lenses, and a voice emitter outlet valve in the
front. The A1 and A2 models include the capability
to drink water while masked. The mask protects the
wearer�s face, eyes, and respiratory tract against
field concentrations of chemical and biological
agents.
M18A2 Chemical Agent Detector Kit
A kit used by technical escort teams and used in
depots. It consists of portable tests capable of
detecting selected choking and blood agents as well
as nerve agents and blister (e.g., mustards,
arsenicals, urticants) agents. It is used to detect
and classify dangerous concentrations of toxic
chemical agents in the air and liquid chemical agent
contamination on exposed surfaces.
M-21 Remote Sensing Chemical Agent
Automatic Alarm (RSCAAL)
A two-man portable tripod-mounted, automatic
scanning, passive, infrared sensor which detects
nerve and blister agent vapor clouds based on
changes in the infrared energy emitted from remote
objects, or from a cloud formed by the agent. The
M-21 is line-of-sight dependent with a detection
range up to 3 miles and a field of view of 1.5
degrees vertical and 60 degrees horizontal. It will
be used for surveillance and reconnaissance missions
and will search areas between enemy and friendly
forces.
M22 Automatic Chemical Agent Alarm
(ACADA)
An advanced, point-sampling, chemical agent alarm
system employing ion-mobility spectrometry. It is
man-portable, operates independently after system
start-up, and provides an audible and visual alarm.
The system detects and identifies nerve and blister
agents. It also provides communications interface
for automatic battlefield warning and reporting. The
M22 system replaces the M8A1 Alarm as an automatic
point detector and augments the CAM as a survey
instrument.
M34 Soil Sampling Kit
Materials used to sample soil, surface matter, and
water.
M40/M42 Chemical/Biological
Protective Mask
This is the standard protective mask. The mask
consists of a silicone face piece with in-turned
periphery, binocular eye lens system, and elastic
head harness. Other features include front and side
voice emitters, allowing for better communications,
drink tube, clear, and tinted inserts and filter
canister with NATO standard threads. The mask
protects against chemical and biological agents,
toxins, radioactive fallout particles, and
battlefield contaminants. The M40/42 Series field
protective masks will replace the M17 (general
purpose), M25 (vehicle crewman), and M9 (heavy-duty)
masks.
M-90 Automatic Agent Detector (AMAD)
An automatic nerve and mustard agent detector that
detects agents in vapor form. It transmits an alarm
by radio to a central alarm unit. It is currently
used by the Air Force.
M90 DIA Chemical Agent Detector (CAD)
A man-portable instrument designed to determine and
indicate the hazard from nerve or blister (mustard)
agent vapors present in the air. Hazard levels are
indicated in high, medium, and low concentrations.
This detector is programmable, with the capability
to add new agents as they are developed. It is
operable over a multitude of operational platforms
including day or night conditions. It can be used to
verify clean areas, perform area surveys, identify
contamination, and verify the effectiveness of
decontamination operations. The M90 is currently
fielded within the Air Force.
M-93 and M-93A1 FOX
This reconnaissance system provides NBC protection,
warning, and sampling equipment integrated into a
high speed, high mobility armored carrier with
collection protection for its crew. The system
contains a CAM, a chemical agent detector alarm, a
radiation detection device, a navigation system,
secure communications, and an area marking system.
The system provides combat information on the
presence of NBC hazards and can operate in all
areas, in adverse weather and under all types of
battlefield conditions.
M256A1 Chemical Agent Detector Kit
A portable and disposable chemical agent detector
kit consisting of 12 individually packaged
samplers/detectors and a packet of M8 detector
paper. It is used at squad, crew or section level to
detect and identify field concentrations of nerve,
blister or blood agent vapors. It is usually used to
determine when it is safe to unmask in about 15 to
20 minutes, to locate and identify chemical hazards,
and to monitor decontamination effectiveness.
M258A1 Skin Decontamination Kit
A kit issued to each soldier containing wipes with
solutions that will neutralize most nerve and
blister agents.
M272 Water Testing Kit
A lightweight portable kit used to detect and
identify dangerous levels of common chemical warfare
agents in raw and treated water in about seven
minutes. It is a test water sampler and is not a
continuous monitor. Each kit conducts 25 tests for
each agent.
M291 Skin Decontamination Kit
This kit is used to decontaminate the soldier�s
hands, face, ears, and neck. Packets in the kit
consist of a foil-laminated fiber material
containing a reactive resin. It replaces the M258A1
Skin Decontamination Kit.
Maximum Credible Event
The worst single event that could occur at any time
with maximal release of chemical agent from a
munition, bulk container, or process as a result of
an unintended, unplanned, or accidental occurrence.
The event must be realistic with reasonable
probability of occurrence.
Merck Index
Includes basic information on several thousand
compounds that are important in general chemical and
biochemical practice.
Metabolic Products
The breakdown products of the chemical processes in
living organisms that convert food into new tissues
and energy; they are also products or reactions
which tend to detoxify nonfood chemicals.
Mini-Cam
Miniature chemical agent monitor.
Miosis
The excessive smallness or contraction of the pupil
of the eye. The pupil is unable to dilate and
remains contracted; thus, performance of tasks,
navigating on foot, identifying or engaging targets,
or driving vehicles is practically impossible.
Miosis is often accompanied by pain, headaches, and
pinpointing of the pupils.
Monitoring
The continued or periodic act of seeking to
determine whether a chemical agent is present.
Most Probable Event
The worst potential mishap most likely to occur
during routine handling, storage, maintenance, or
surveillance operations, which results in the
release of agent and exposure to personnel.
Mustard Agents
A category of blister agents including the sulfur
mustards (H, HD) that are chlorinated thioethers,
and the nitrogen mustards (HN-1, HN-2, HN-3) that
are derivatives of ammonia.
Napalm
An incendiary mixture typically made of polystyrene,
benzene, and gasoline and used in flame weapons.
Neat Agent Equivalent
The actual volume of chemical agents that will be
formed when two separate volumes of an agent�s
precursors are mixed. The resulting chemical agent
is deemed to be pure for purposes of accountability
and for determining storage limits.
Neat Chemical Agent
A non-diluted, full-strength (as manufactured)
chemical agent in any concentration in excess of
those designated exempt. A chemical agent
manufactured by the binary synthesis route will also
be considered a neat agent regardless of purity.
Nerve Agent
Organic esters of phosphoric acid used as a chemical
warfare agent because of their extreme toxicity
(tabun (GA), sarin (GB), soman (GD), GF, and VX).
All are potent inhibitors of the enzyme,
acetylcholinesterase, which is responsible for the
degradation of the neurotransmitter, acetylcholine.
Symptoms result from excess accumulation of
acetylcholine in neuronal synapses or myoneural
junctions. Nerve agents are readily absorbed by
inhalation and/or through intact skin.
Neutralent
Those materials remaining from the chemical
neutralization of agents.
Neutralization
Altering the chemical, physical, and toxicological
properties to render the chemical agent ineffective
for use as intended.
Nitrogen Mustard
A form of blister agent that includes HN-1, HN-2,
and HN-3.
Nonlethal Agents
Chemical agents that can incapacitate but which, by
themselves, are not intended to cause death.
Nonpersistent Agent
Chemical agent that when released dissipates and/or
loses its capability to cause casualties after 10 to
15 minutes.
Nonstockpile Chemical Materiel
The Army has five categories of non-stockpile
chemical warfare materiel�
-
Binary chemical weapons
form lethal chemical agents by mixing
two less toxic chemicals. Army policy
requires that the components of binary
weapons only be loaded together into a
munition immediately prior to use on the
battlefield, thus forming the lethal
chemical agent during flight to the target.
-
Buried chemical warfare
materiel includes any buried materiel.
Land burial was a principal means of
disposing of hazardous materials for many
years. In most cases, the materiel was
burned or chemically neutralized prior to
burial.
-
Recovered chemical weapons
include items recovered during
range-clearing operations from chemical
burial sites, and from research and
development testing. Recovered chemical
warfare materiel is over packed and either
stored on site or transported and stored at
a permitted Department of Defense site
following recovery from range-clearing
operations and burial.
-
Former production
facilities include government facilities
that produced chemical weapons and agents
prior to the signing of the Chemical Weapons
Convention. These facilities produced
chemical agent, precursors, and components
for chemical weapons or were used for
loading and filling munitions.
-
Miscellaneous chemical
warfare materiel includes unfilled
munitions, support equipment, and devices
designed to be used with chemical weapons.
These include complete assembled rounds
without chemical fill, with or without
bursters and fuzes; simulant-filled
munitions; inert munitions; dummy munitions;
bursters and fuzes; empty rock warheads and
motors; projectile cases; and other
components of metal and plastic parts.
Occupational Environment Controls
The basic principles for controlling the workplace
environment are substitution, isolation, and
ventilation.
On-Scene Commander
A general officer that has operational control of
emergency response forces and supervises all on-site
operations at the scene of a chemical accident. Also
referred to as Service Response Force Commander.
On-Scene Coordinator
The person designated to direct cleanup efforts
under the NCP.
Organic Solvent
An organic chemical compound that dissolves another
to form a solution. Examples include alcohols,
turpentine, kerosene, benzene, chloroform, acetone,
carbon tetrachloride, and toluene.
Persistent Agent
Chemical agents that do not hydrolyze or volatilize
readily (e.g., VX and HD.)
Phosgene
Carbonyl chloride; a colorless liquid below 8.2
degrees Celsius, but an extremely poisonous gas at
ordinary temperatures; it is an insidious gas, since
it is not immediately irritating, even when fatal
concentrations are inhaled.
Phytotoxin
A toxin derived from a plant. An example is ricin
from the castor bean.
Potentially Exposed Worker
An individual who works in an agent-operating area
where agent levels�
-
Exceed the protective
capability of the personal protective
equipment.
-
Are detectable and there
is a breach of personal protective
equipment or engineering controls.
Precursor
Any chemical reactant that takes part at any stage
in the production by whatever method of a toxic
chemical. This includes any key component of a
binary or multicomponent chemical system.
Probit Analysis
|Application of the methods of Bliss to determine
the slope and various effective dosage levels (e.g.,
LCt50,
LD50, LCt16, LD16, LCt84, LD84, LCt05, LD05,
etc.) for quantal dose-response data.
Prostration
A complete physical or mental exhaustion; extreme
exhaustion or powerlessness.
Protection Factor
The ratio of the concentration outside the personal
protective equipment to the concentration inside the
personal protective equipment. Measurement sites are
critical for proper determination (e.g., for a
protective mask, the measurements inside the mask
would be made at a subject's breathing zone, and the
measurements outside the mask would be made in a
corresponding zone).
Reagent
A chemical substance used to produce a chemical
reaction.
Red Phosphorus/Butyl Rubber Smoke
The military application of phosphorus smokes for
environmental screening can contain either white
phosphorus or red phosphorus in various matrices
(e.g., felt, butyl rubber, or polymer epoxy
binders). The compositions of the various phosphorus
smokes are similar, being composed primarily of
polyphosphoric acid with less than 1 percent trace
levels of organic compounds. The purpose of the
butyl rubber is to reduce the cloud-pillar effect
found with pure red phosphorus. In Army field use,
red phosphorus smoke is deployed explosively from
grenades and mortar shells. It is used in grenades
to provide a partial self-protection system for
armored vehicles. It is also the major ingredient in
mortar rounds used to generate smoke.
Relative Risk (sometimes referred to
as Risk Ratio)
The ratio of incidence or risk among exposed
individuals to incidence or risk among nonexposed
individuals.
Release
Controlled or uncontrolled escape of chemical
agent(s) into the environment. Any spilling,
leaking, pumping, pouring, emitting, emptying,
discharging, injecting, escaping, leaching, dumping,
or disposing into the environment (including the
abandonment or discarding of barrels, containers,
and other closed receptacles containing any
hazardous substance or pollutant or contaminant).
Remedial Actions
Activities taken to restore a contaminated site to
its pre-contaminated condition. In contrast to
removal actions, these are longer-term actions,
including cleanup, treatment, and neutralization of
contamination and access control or permanent
relocation of residents, if necessary. Remedial
actions are coordinated by the remedial project
manager. U.S. Department of the Army Pamphlet 50-6,
Chemical Accident or Incident Response and
Assistance (CAIRA) Operations, treats remedial
actions as taking place in a "non-emergency
atmosphere," and describes the goal as returning the
chemical accident or incident site to "technically
achievable and acceptable conditions."
Removal Actions
Immediate, short-term response activities for
cleanup and removal of hazardous materials,
assessment of the release, and actions to protect
the public such as temporary relocation (CERCLA, and
NCP; Code of Federal Regulations, Part 300, et seq.,
Title 40). Removal operations are coordinated by the
on-scene coordinator.
Reproductive Effect
A toxic effect of a substance that is evident in the
second or third generation of exposed grandparents.
Respond
Removal, remedy, or remedial actions.
Reversible versus Irreversible
Toxicity
Reversible toxic effects are those that can be
repaired, usually by a specific tissue's ability to
regenerate or mend itself after chemical exposure,
while irreversible toxic effects are those that
cannot be repaired.
Rhinitis
The inflammation of the mucous membrane of the
nose.
Riot Control Agents
Compounds widely used by governments for domestic
law enforcement purposes and which produce transient
effects on man that disappear within minutes after
removal from exposure.
Safety Assessment Report (SAR)
A formal summary of the safety data collected during
the design and development of the system. In this
summary, the material developer summarizes the
hazard potential of the item, provides a risk
assessment, and recommends procedures or other
corrective actions to reduce these hazards to an
acceptable level.
Safety Controls
Mandatory, procedural safeguards approved by the
Secretary of the Army and determined to be necessary
per safety studies and reviews. Safety controls
ensure maximum safety of chemical agents throughout
the life of the chemical weapon. Controls will be
consistent with operational requirements.
Safety Objectives
Criteria for comparing and judging measures for
adequacy. Safety objectives incorporate the safest
measures consistent with operational requirements.
Sample Data Collection (SDC)
A method for obtaining information on the
performance and maintainability of an item of
equipment. Data are obtained directly from
observations made in the field. An effort is made to
see that the sample from which feedback is obtained
represents the total population.
Sarin (GB)
Isopropyl methylphosphonofluoridate; it is a
non-persistent organophosphate nerve agent also
known as GB. Its chemical formula is C4H10FO2P.
It is a colorless liquid or vapor with almost no
odor in its pure state. Symptoms include pupil
constriction, blurred or dimmed vision, pain in
eyeballs; chest tightness, difficulty in breathing;
sweating, salivation, increased bronchial
secretions, bradycardia, hypotension, vomiting and
diarrhea, bronchoconstriction, and urinary and fecal
incontinence.
Screening and Signaling Smokes
Compounds that produce an obscuring smoke when
burned, hydrolyzed, or atomized; they are used to
limit observation and to reduce the effectiveness of
aimed fire. Signaling smokes are similar to
screening smokes, except that signaling smokes
generally are colored and are used for visual
communication. The standard colors are green, red,
violet, and yellow.
Self-Aid
Administration of a chemical agent antidote to
one-self upon experiencing early symptoms of
chemical agent poisoning.
Service Response Force (SRF)
A Department of the Army-level emergency response
organization, commanded by a general officer,
capable of performing and sustaining the CAIRA
mission. This force consists of a staff and
specialized teams from various agencies and
organizations involved in the response to and
recovery from a chemical accident/incident.
Service Response Force Commander
(SRFC)
A general officer of the Army with chemical
background who has been dispatched by Headquarters,
Army Materiel Command, to the scene of a chemical
accident or incident. Upon arrival, the SRFC assumes
responsibility for all operations at the accident
scene and commands all emergency forces.
Severe Effects
Effects for the nerve agents that include systemic
effects such as vomiting, involuntary urination
and/or defecation, tremors, collapse, or
convulsions. Note that dosages producing these
effects may not be significantly different from
dosages producing lethality.
Shipboard Chemical Agent Point
Detection System (CAPDS)
A fixed system capable of detecting nerve agents in
vapor form using a baffle tube ionization
spectrometer. This CAPDS obtains a sample of
external air, ionizes airborne vapor molecules, and
collects them on a charged plate after eliminating
lighter molecules via the baffle structure. The
system is installed in an upper superstructure level
and provides ships with the capability to detect
nerve agents. It will be activated when ships enter
high threat areas and during operation in littoral
waterways. The system is installed on most surface
combatant�s ships.
Simulant
A chemical that appears and acts like an agent.
Slope
The probit or Bliss Slope of the graph of the probit
of the response vs. the log of the dose.
Slope Factor
A plausible, upper bound estimate of the probability
of a response-per-unit intake of a chemical over a
lifetime. The slope factor is used to estimate an
upper bound probability of an individual developing
cancer as a result of a lifetime of exposure to a
particular level of a potential carcinogen.
Smoke
Solid or liquid particles 0.3 to 0.5 in diameter.
A suspension of particles in a gaseous medium. A
substance used in warfare for screening purposes.
Soman
The chemical Pinacolyl methyl phosphonofluoridate,
methyl-1, 2, 2-trimethylpropyl ester. It is a nerve
agent known as GD; its chemical formula is (CH3)3CCH(CH3)OPF(O)CH3.
It is a colorless liquid with a fruity or camphor
odor. It undergoes �aging� very quickly, rendering
oxime therapy useless and making poisoning with this
agent more difficult to treat. Symptoms include
pupil constriction, blurred and dimmed vision, pain
in eyeballs; chest tightness, difficulty in
breathing; sweating, salivation, increased bronchial
secretions, bradycardia, hypotension, vomiting and
diarrhea, bronchoconstriction, and urinary and fecal
incontinence.
Source Emissions
All intentional, uncontrolled releases of nerve
agents GA, GB, GD, and VX to include stack
emissions.
Standard Glove
All gloves covered by a
military specification for example, toxicological
agent protective and gloveset glove.
Stockpile
Bulk chemicals and chemical munitions.
Sulfur Mustard
A blister agent also known as H (or HD) for
distilled mustard. Bis(2-chloroethyl) sulfide. The
chemical formula is C4H8Cl2S.
It presents both a respiratory and percutaneous
hazard, forcing military personnel to don not only
gas masks but also protective overgarments. They are
persistent and present long-term hazards, further
hindering victims by forcing them to decontaminate.
Super Tropical Bleach (STB)
A mixture of calcium oxide and bleaching powder used
as a decontaminating agent.
TBis[2-(2-chloroethylthio)ethyl]
ether. The chemical formula is C8H16Cl2OS2.
T is a sulfur, oxygen and chlorine compound similar
in structure to HD. When T is added to HD, the
resulting mixture has enhanced physiological and
physical effects, making it a more effective
chemical warfare agent.
Tabun
Ethyl N,N-dimethylphosphoramidocyanidate. This is a
non-persistent organophosphate nerve agent also
known as GA. Its chemical formula is C5H11N2O2P.
Tear Gas
Chemical compound that causes a flow of tears and
irritation of the skin. It is widely used for
training, riot control, and situations where
long-term incapacitation is unacceptable.
Technical Escort
Individuals technically qualified and properly
equipped to accompany designated materiel that
requires a high degree to safety and security during
shipment.
Temporary Exclusion Area
The area immediately surrounding chemical agent
material that has been removed from its secure
container, storage structure, storage area, or other
authorized storage configuration.
Toxic Chemical
Any chemical that through its chemical action on
life processes can cause death, temporary
incapacitation or permanent harm to humans or
animals. This includes all such chemicals,
regardless of their origin or of their method of
production, and regardless of whether they are
produced in facilities, in munitions, or elsewhere.
Toxicity Data
-
Quantal Data: Specifies the
number of animals affected as a function of
dose rate (e.g., mg/kg/day) for a single
type of effect. The number of animals with
tumors or that die from a chemical exposure
is an example. Quantal data are often
reported as an incidence (percent response)
and, thus, can be used to construct a
dose-response curve.
-
Continuous Data: Represents
the change in some measured value of a
biological indicator (e.g., organ weights,
triglyceride levels in the liver, and serum
enzyme measurements) as a function of dose
rate. Continuous data can be used to
construct a dose-effect curve.
-
Graded Data: Specifies the
form of severity of adverse effects as a
function of dose rate without reference to
the number of animals affected or to a
continuous measure of one parameter. Graded
data often are presented as categories
(liver necrosis, lung lesions) or as
judgments of severity. Fatty infiltration of
the liver, single-cell liver necrosis, and
liver necrosis are examples of sequence of
severity judgments. Graded data can be used
to construct a dose severity curve.
Toxicity Value
A numerical expression of a substance's
dose-response relationship that is used in risk
assessments. The most common toxicity values used in
Superfund program risk assessments are reference
doses (for non-carcinogenic effects) and slope
factors (for carcinogenic effects).
Toxicological Effects
a. Additive: Situation in which the combined effect
of two chemicals is equal to the sum of the effect
of each agent given alone (e.g., 2+3=5).
b. Synergistic: Situation in which
the combined effect of two chemicals is much greater
than the sum of the effect of each agent given alone
(e.g., 2+3=20).
c. Potentiation: Situation in which
one substance does not have a toxic effect, but when
it is added to another chemical, it makes the latter
much more toxic (e.g., 0+3=10).
d. Antagonism: Situation in which two
chemicals given together interfere with each other's
actions or one interferes with the action of the
other chemical (e.g., 4+6=8, 4+0=1, 4+4=0).
Training Agent and Compounds
An agent authorized for use in training to enhance
proficiency for operating in a chemical
environment.
Unitary Chemical Munitions
Munitions designed to contain a single-component
chemical agent for release on a target.
Urticant
Category of blister agents with a disagreeable,
penetrating odor, causing an immediate severe
burning sensation, intense pain and a feeling of
numbness.
U.S. Army Nuclear and Chemical Agency
(USANCA)
The mission of USANCA is to provide expert technical
support and assistance to all Army elements
worldwide and to other U.S. Government and NATO
agencies engaged in NBC programs.
Vesicant
Causing blisters or vesicles.
Vesicating Agent
Agent that acts on the eyes and lungs and blisters
the skin.
Vesication
The process of blistering.
Vomiting Agent
Compound that produces a strong pepperlike
irritation in the upper respiratory tract, with
irritation of the eyes and tearing; causes violent,
uncontrollable sneezing, cough, nausea, vomiting,
and general discomfort. Effects last from 30 minutes
to several hours.
XM21 Remote Sensing Chemical Agent
Alarm (RSCAAL)
A passive infrared device used to detect and
identify chemical agent clouds. It can perform
reconnaissance and point or area surveillance
missions.
Acronyms, Initialisms and
Abbreviations Dictionary,
19th ed. 1994. Gale Research Inc, Detroit. Addendum
Test Report for the Production Qualification Test
(PQT) of the ALPHA RADIAC Set, AN/PDR-77, Nuclear
Effects Directorate, White Sands Missile Range.
Allied Command Europe (ACE) Directive 8-63. Ace
Policy for Defensive Measures Against Low-Level
Radiological Hazards During Military Operations.
1997.
American National Standards Institute
(ANSI) Standard. Radiation Safety for X-Ray
Diffraction and Fluorescence Equipment Analysis.
N43.3-1933. National Bureau of Standards (NBS)
Handbook 111. March 1993.
Army Science Board, Missile Defense
Issue Panel, 1996. TMD Lethality Independent
Assessment Study, final Report (Internal Study
Panel Copy). Prepared for USASSDC/CSSD-AZ, LTC Jay
M. Garner.
Atomic Energy Act of 1954 in: Laws of
83rd
Congress � 2nd
Session (August 30, 1954): 1098,
1118-21.
Budavari, S., O�Neil, M.J., Smith,
A., and Heckelman, P.E. 1989. The Merck Index, An
Encyclopedia of Chemicals, Drugs, and Biologicals,
12th
Edition. Merck & Co., Inc., Rahway,
NJ.
Burt W.H., and Grosseheider, R.P.
1964. A Field Guide to the Mammals: Field Marks
of All Species Found North of Mexico, 2nd
Ed. Houghton Mifflin Co.,
Boston, MA.
Chemical Stockpile
Emergency Preparedness Program (CSEPP)
Reentry/Restoration Plan: (1) Workbook;
and (b) Sourcebook/Appendices
(Draft). July 1994. CSEPP Recovery Work Group,
U.S. Army Center for Health Promotion and Preventive
Medicine, Aberdeen Proving Ground, MD.
Code of Federal Regulations, Title
22, Foreign Relations, 2001.
Code of Federal Regulations, Part
1910, Title 29, Occupational Safety and Health
Standards, 2001.
Code of Federal Regulations, Part
1910.134, Title 29 (29 CFR 1910.34), Respiratory
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Section 6 -
NATIONAL INCIDENT MANAGEMENT SYSTEM GLOSSARY
DEFINITIONS
Agency:
A division of
government with a specific function offering a
particular kind of assistance. In ICS, agencies are
defined either as jurisdictional (having statutory
responsibility for incident management) or as
assisting or cooperating (providing resources or
other assistance).
Agency Representative: A person
assigned by a primary, assisting, or cooperating
Federal, State, local, or tribal government agency
or private entity that has been delegated authority
to make decisions affecting that agency's or
organization's participation in incident management
activities following appropriate consultation with
the leadership of that agency.
Area Command (Unified Area Command):
An organization established (1) to oversee the
management of multiple incidents that are each being
handled by an ICS organization or (2) to oversee the
management of large or multiple incidents to which
several Incident Management Teams have been
assigned. Area Command has the responsibility to set
overall strategy and priorities, allocate critical
resources according to priorities, ensure that
incidents are properly managed, and ensure that
objectives are met and strategies followed. Area
Command becomes Unified Area Command when incidents
are multi-jurisdictional. Area Command may be
established at an emergency operations center
facility or at some location other than an incident
command post.
Assessment: The evaluation and
interpretation of measurements and other information
to provide a basis for decision-making.
Assignments: Tasks given to
resources to perform within a given operational
period that are based on operational objectives
defined in the IAP.
Assistant: Title for
subordinates of principal Command Staff positions.
The title indicates a level of technical capability,
qualifications, and responsibility subordinate to
the primary positions. Assistants may also be
assigned to unit leaders.
Assisting Agency: An agency or
organization providing personnel, services, or other
resources to the agency with direct responsibility
for incident management. See also Supporting Agency.
Available Resources: Resources
assigned to an incident, checked in, and available
for a mission assignment, normally located in a
Staging Area.
Branch: The organizational level
having functional or geographical responsibility for
major aspects of incident operations. A branch is
organizationally situated between the section and
the division or group in the Operations Section, and
between the section and units in the Logistics
Section. Branches are identified by the use of Roman
numerals or by functional area.
Chain of Command: A series of
command, control, executive, or management positions
in hierarchical order of authority.
Check-In: The process through
which resources first report to an incident.
Check-in locations include the incident command
post, Resources Unit, incident base, camps, staging
areas, or directly on the site.
Chief: The ICS title for
individuals responsible for management of functional
sections: Operations, Planning, Logistics,
Finance/Administration, and Intelligence (if
established as a separate section).
Command: The act of directing,
ordering, or controlling by virtue of explicit
statutory, regulatory, or delegated authority.
Command Staff: In an incident
management organization, the Command Staff consists
of the Incident Command and the special staff
positions of Public Information Officer, Safety
Officer, Liaison Officer, and other positions as
required, who report directly to the Incident
Commander. They may have an assistant or assistants,
as needed.
Common Operating Picture: A
broad view of the overall situation as reflected by
situation reports, aerial photography, and other
information or intelligence.
Communications Unit: An
organizational unit in the Logistics Section
responsible for providing communication services at
an incident or an EOC. A Communications Unit may
also be a facility (e.g., a trailer or mobile van)
used to support an Incident Communications Center.
Cooperating Agency: An agency
supplying assistance other than direct operational
or support functions or resources to the incident
management effort.
Coordinate: To advance
systematically an analysis and exchange of
information among principals who have or may have a
need to know certain information to carry out
specific incident management responsibilities.
Deputy: A fully qualified
individual who, in the absence of a superior, can be
delegated the authority to manage a functional
operation or perform a specific task. In some cases,
a deputy can act as relief for a superior and,
therefore, must be fully qualified in the position.
Deputies can be assigned to the Incident Commander,
General Staff, and Branch Directors.
Dispatch: The ordered movement
of a resource or resources to an assigned
operational mission or an administrative move from
one location to another.
Division: The partition of an
incident into geographical areas of operation.
Divisions are established when the number of
resources exceeds the manageable span of control of
the Operations Chief. A division is located within
the ICS organization between the branch and
resources in the Operations Section.
Emergency: Absent a
Presidentially declared emergency, any incident(s),
human-caused or natural, that requires responsive
action to protect life or property. Under the Robert
T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance
Act, an emergency means any occasion or instance for
which, in the determination of the President,
Federal assistance is needed to supplement State and
local efforts and capabilities to save lives and to
protect property and public health and safety, or to
lessen or avert the threat of a catastrophe in any
part of the United States.
Emergency Operations Centers (EOCs):
The physical location at which the coordination
of information and resources to support domestic
incident management activities normally takes place.
An EOC may be a temporary facility or may be located
in a more central or permanently established
facility, perhaps at a higher level of organization
within a jurisdiction. EOCs may be organized by
major functional disciplines (e.g., fire, law
enforcement, and medical services), by jurisdiction
(e.g., Federal, State, regional, county, city,
tribal), or some combination thereof.
Emergency Operations Plan: The
"steady-state" plan maintained by various
jurisdictional levels for responding to a wide
variety of potential hazards.
Emergency Public Information:
Information that is disseminated primarily in
anticipation of an emergency or during an emergency.
In addition to providing situational information to
the public, it also frequently provides directive
actions required to be taken by the general public.
Emergency Response Provider:
Includes Federal, State, local, and tribal emergency
public safety, law enforcement, emergency response,
emergency medical (including hospital emergency
facilities), and related personnel, agencies, and
authorities. See Section 2 (6), Homeland Security
Act of 2002, Pub. L. 107-296, 116 Stat. 2135 (2002).
Also known as Emergency Responder.
Evacuation: Organized, phased,
and supervised withdrawal, dispersal, or removal of
civilians from dangerous or potentially dangerous
areas, and their reception and care in safe areas.
Event: A planned, non-emergency
activity. ICS can be used as the management system
for a wide range of events, e.g., parades, concerts,
or sporting events.
Federal: Of or pertaining to the
Federal Government of the United States of America.
Function: Function refers to the
five major activities in ICS: Command, Operations,
Planning, Logistics, and Finance/Administration. The
term function is also used when describing the
activity involved, e.g., the planning function. A
sixth function, Intelligence, may be established, if
required, to meet incident management needs.
General Staff: A group of
incident management personnel organized according to
function and reporting to the Incident Commander.
The General Staff normally consists of the
Operations Section Chief, Planning Section Chief,
Logistics Section Chief, and Finance/Administration
Section Chief.
Group: Established to divide the
incident management structure into functional areas
of operation. Groups are composed of resources
assembled to perform a special function not
necessarily within a single geographic division.
Groups, when activated, are located between branches
and resources in the Operations Section. (See
Division.)
Hazard: Something that is
potentially dangerous or harmful, often the root
cause of an unwanted outcome.
Incident: An occurrence or
event, natural or human-caused, that requires an
emergency response to protect life or property.
Incidents can, for example, include major disasters,
emergencies, terrorist attacks, terrorist threats,
wild land and urban fires, floods, hazardous
materials spills, nuclear accidents, aircraft
accidents, earthquakes, hurricanes, tornadoes,
tropical storms, war-related disasters, public
health and medical emergencies, and other
occurrences requiring an emergency response.
Incident Action Plan (IAP): An
oral or written plan containing general objectives
reflecting the overall strategy for managing an
incident. It may include the identification of
operational resources and assignments. It may also
include attachments that provide direction and
important information for management of the incident
during one or more operational periods.
Incident Command Post (ICP):
The field location at which the primary
tactical-level, on-scene incident command functions
are performed. The ICP may be collocated with the
incident base or other incident facilities and is
normally identified by a green rotating or flashing
light.
Incident Command System (ICS): A
standardized on-scene emergency management construct
specifically designed to provide for the adoption of
an integrated organizational structure that reflects
the complexity and demands of single or multiple
incidents, without being hindered by jurisdictional
boundaries. ICS is the combination of facilities,
equipment, personnel, procedures, and communications
operating within a common organizational structure,
designed to aid in the management of resources
during incidents. It is used for all kinds of
emergencies and is applicable to small as well as
large and complex incidents. ICS is used by various
jurisdictions and functional agencies, both public
and private, to organize field-level incident
management operations.
Incident Commander (IC): The
individual responsible for all incident activities,
including the development of strategies and tactics
and the ordering and the release of resources. The
IC has overall authority and responsibility for
conducting incident operations and is responsible
for the management of all incident operations at the
incident site.
Incident Management Team (IMT):
The IC and appropriate Command and General Staff
personnel assigned to an incident.
Incident Objectives: Statements
of guidance and direction necessary for selecting
appropriate strategy(s) and the tactical direction
of resources. Incident objectives are based on
realistic expectations of what can be accomplished
when all allocated resources have been effectively
deployed. Incident objectives must be achievable and
measurable, yet flexible enough to allow strategic
and tactical alternatives.
Initial Action: The actions
taken by those responders first to arrive at an
incident site.
Initial Response: Resources
initially committed to an incident.
Intelligence Officer: The
intelligence officer is responsible for managing
internal information, intelligence, and operational
security requirements supporting incident management
activities. These may include information security
and operational security activities, as well as the
complex task of ensuring that sensitive information
of all types (e.g., classified information, law
enforcement sensitive information, proprietary
information, or export-controlled information) is
handled in a way that not only safeguards the
information, but also ensures that it gets to those
who need access to it to perform their missions
effectively and safely.
Joint Information Center (JIC):
A facility established to coordinate all
incident-related public information activities. It
is the central point of contact for all news media
at the scene of the incident. Public information
officials from all participating agencies should
collocate at the JIC.
Joint Information System (JIS):
Integrates incident information and public affairs
into a cohesive organization designed to provide
consistent, coordinated, timely information during
crisis or incident operations. The mission of the
JIS is to provide a structure and system for
developing and delivering coordinated interagency
messages; developing, recommending, and executing
public information plans and strategies on behalf of
the IC; advising the IC concerning public affairs
issues that could affect a response effort; and
controlling rumors and inaccurate information that
could undermine public confidence in the emergency
response effort.
Jurisdiction: A range or sphere
of authority. Public agencies have jurisdiction at
an incident related to their legal responsibilities
and authority. Jurisdictional authority at an
incident can be political or geographical (e.g.,
city, county, tribal, State, or Federal boundary
lines) or functional (e.g., law enforcement, public
health).
Liaison: A form of communication
for establishing and maintaining mutual
understanding and cooperation.
Liaison Officer: A member of the
Command Staff responsible for coordinating with
representatives from cooperating and assisting
agencies.
Local Government: A county,
municipality, city, town, township, local public
authority, school district, special district,
intrastate district, council of governments
(regardless of whether the council of governments is
incorporated as a nonprofit corporation under State
law), regional or interstate government entity, or
agency or instrumentality of a local government; an
Indian tribe or authorized tribal organization, or
in Alaska a Native village or Alaska Regional Native
Corporation; a rural community, unincorporated town
or village, or other public entity. See Section 2
(10), Homeland Security Act of 2002, Pub. L.
107-296, 116 Stat. 2135 (2002).
Logistics: Providing resources
and other services to support incident management.
Logistics Section: The section
responsible for providing facilities, services, and
material support for the incident.
Major Disaster: As defined under
the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency
Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5122), a major disaster is
any natural catastrophe (including any hurricane,
tornado, storm, high water, wind-driven water, tidal
wave, tsunami, earthquake, volcanic eruption,
landslide, mudslide, snowstorm, or drought), or,
regardless of cause, any fire, flood, or explosion,
in any part of the United States, which in the
determination of the President causes damage of
sufficient severity and magnitude to warrant
disaster assistance under this Act to supplement the
efforts and available resources of States, tribes,
local governments, and disaster relief organizations
in alleviating the damage, loss, hardship, or
suffering caused thereby.
Management by Objective: A
management approach that involves a four-step
process for achieving the incident goal. The
Management by Objectives approach includes the
following: establishing overarching objectives;
developing and issuing assignments, plans,
procedures, and protocols; establishing specific,
measurable objectives for various incident
management functional activities and directing
efforts to fulfill them, in support of defined
strategic objectives; and documenting results to
measure performance and facilitate corrective
action.
Mitigation: The activities
designed to reduce or eliminate risks to persons or
property or to lessen the actual or potential
effects or consequences of an incident. Mitigation
measures may be implemented prior to, during, or
after an incident. Mitigation measures are often
informed by lessons learned from prior incidents.
Mitigation involves ongoing actions to reduce
exposure to, probability of, or potential loss from
hazards. Measures may include zoning and building
codes, floodplain buyouts, and analysis of hazard
related data to determine where it is safe to build
or locate temporary facilities. Mitigation can
include efforts to educate governments, businesses,
and the public on measures they can take to reduce
loss and injury.
Mobilization: The process and
procedures used by all organizations (Federal,
State, local, and tribal) for activating,
assembling, and transporting all resources that have
been requested to respond to or support an incident.
Multi-agency Coordination Entity:
A multi-agency coordination entity functions
within a broader Multi-agency Coordination System.
It may establish the priorities among incidents and
associated resource allocations, deconflict agency
policies, and provide strategic guidance and
direction to support incident management activities.
Multi-agency Coordination Systems:
Multi-agency Coordination Systems provide the
architecture to support coordination for incident
prioritization, critical resource allocation,
communications systems integration, and information
coordination. The components of Multi-agency
Coordination Systems include facilities, equipment,
emergency operation centers (EOCs), specific
multi-agency coordination entities, personnel,
procedures, and communications. These systems assist
agencies and organizations to fully integrate the
subsystems of the NIMS.
Multi-jurisdictional Incident:
An incident requiring action from multiple agencies
that each have jurisdiction to manage certain
aspects of an incident. In ICS, these incidents will
be managed under Unified Command.
Mutual-Aid Agreement: Written
agreement between agencies and/or jurisdictions that
they will assist one another on request, by
furnishing personnel, equipment, and/or expertise in
a specified manner.
National: Of a nationwide
character, including the Federal, State, local, and
tribal aspects of governance and polity.
National Disaster Medical System:
A cooperative, asset-sharing partnership between
the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services,
the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, the U.S.
Department of Homeland Security, and the U.S.
Department of Defense. NDMS provides resources for
meeting the continuity of care and mental health
services requirements of the Emergency Support
Function 8 in the Federal Response Plan.
National Incident Management System:
A system mandated by HSPD-5 that provides a
consistent nationwide approach for Federal, State,
local, and tribal governments; the private-sector,
and nongovernmental organizations to work
effectively and efficiently together to prepare for,
respond to, and recover from domestic incidents,
regardless of cause, size, or complexity. To provide
for interoperability and compatibility among
Federal, State, local, and tribal capabilities, the
NIMS includes a core set of concepts, principles,
and terminology. HSPD-5 identifies these as the ICS;
Multi-agency Coordination Systems; training;
identification and management of resources
(including systems for classifying types of
resources); qualification and certification; and the
collection, tracking, and reporting of incident
information and incident resources.
National Response Plan: A plan
mandated by HSPD-5 that integrates Federal domestic
prevention, preparedness, response, and recovery
plans into one all-discipline, all-hazards plan.
Nongovernmental Organization: An
entity with an association that is based on
interests of its members, individuals, or
institutions and that is not created by a
government, but may work cooperatively with
government. Such organizations serve a public
purpose, not a private benefit. Examples of NGOs
include faith-based charity organizations and the
American Red Cross.
Operational Period: The time
scheduled for executing a given set of operation
actions, as specified in the Incident Action Plan.
Operational periods can be of various lengths,
although usually not over 24 hours.
Operations Section: The section
responsible for all tactical incident operations. In
ICS, it normally includes subordinate branches,
divisions, and/or groups.
Personnel Accountability: The
ability to account for the location and welfare of
incident personnel. It is accomplished when
supervisors ensure that ICS principles and processes
are functional and that personnel are working within
established incident management guidelines.
Planning Meeting: A meeting held
as needed prior to and throughout the duration of an
incident to select specific strategies and tactics
for incident control operations and for service and
support planning. For larger incidents, the planning
meeting is a major element in the development of the
Incident Action Plan (IAP).
Planning Section: Responsible
for the collection, evaluation, and dissemination of
operational information related to the incident, and
for the preparation and documentation of the IAP.
This section also maintains information on the
current and forecasted situation and on the status
of resources assigned to the incident.
Preparedness: The range of
deliberate, critical tasks and activities necessary
to build, sustain, and improve the operational
capability to prevent, protect against, respond to,
and recover from domestic incidents. Preparedness is
a continuous process. Preparedness involves efforts
at all levels of government and between government
and private-sector and nongovernmental organizations
to identify threats, determine vulnerabilities, and
identify required resources. Within the NIMS,
preparedness is operationally focused on
establishing guidelines, protocols, and standards
for planning, training and exercises, personnel
qualification and certification, equipment
certification, and publication management.
Preparedness Organizations: The
groups and forces that provide interagency
coordination for domestic incident management
activities in a non-emergency context. Preparedness
organizations can include all agencies with a role
in incident management, for prevention,
preparedness, response, or recovery activities. They
represent a wide variety of committees, planning
groups, and other organizations that meet and
coordinate to ensure the proper level of planning,
training, equipping, and other preparedness
requirements within a jurisdiction or area.
Prevention: Actions to avoid an
incident or to intervene to stop an incident from
occurring. Prevention involves actions to protect
lives and property. It involves applying
intelligence and other information to a range of
activities that may include such countermeasures as
deterrence operations; heightened inspections;
improved surveillance and security operations;
investigations to determine the full nature and
source of the threat; public health and agricultural
surveillance and testing processes; immunizations,
isolation, or quarantine; and, as appropriate,
specific law enforcement operations aimed at
deterring, preempting, interdicting, or disrupting
illegal activity and apprehending potential
perpetrators and bringing them to justice.
Private Sector: Organizations
and entities that are not part of any governmental
structure. It includes for-profit and not-for-profit
organizations, formal and informal structures,
commerce and industry, and private voluntary
organizations (PVO).
Processes: Systems of operations
that incorporate standardized procedures,
methodologies, and functions necessary to provide
resources effectively and efficiently. These include
resource typing, resource ordering and tracking, and
coordination.
Public Information Officer: A
member of the Command Staff responsible for
interfacing with the public and media or with other
agencies with incident-related information
requirements.
Publications Management: The
publications management subsystem includes materials
development, publication control, publication
supply, and distribution. The development and
distribution of NIMS materials is managed through
this subsystem. Consistent documentation is critical
to success, because it ensures that all responders
are familiar with the documentation used in a
particular incident regardless of the location or
the responding agencies involved.
Qualification and Certification:
This subsystem provides recommended qualification
and certification standards for emergency responder
and incident management personnel. It also allows
the development of minimum standards for resources
expected to have an interstate application.
Standards typically include training, currency,
experience, and physical and medical fitness.
Reception Area: This refers to a
location separate from staging areas, where
resources report in for processing and
out-processing. Reception Areas provide
accountability, security, situational awareness
briefings, safety awareness, distribution of IAPs,
supplies and equipment, feeding, and bed down.
Recovery: The development,
coordination, and execution of service- and
site-restoration plans; the reconstitution of
government operations and services; individual,
private sector, non-governmental and
public-assistance programs to provide housing and to
promote restoration; long-term care and treatment of
affected persons; additional measures for social,
political, environmental, and economic restoration;
evaluation of the incident to identify lessons
learned; post-incident reporting; and development of
initiatives to mitigate the effects of future
incidents.
Recovery Plan: A plan developed
by a State, local, or tribal jurisdiction with
assistance from responding Federal agencies to
restore the affected area.
Resources: Personnel and major
items of equipment, supplies, and facilities
available or potentially available for assignment to
incident operations and for which status is
maintained. Resources are described by kind and type
and may be used in operational support or
supervisory capacities at an incident or at an EOC.
Resource Management: Efficient
incident management requires a system for
identifying available resources at all
jurisdictional levels to enable timely and unimpeded
access to resources needed to prepare for, respond
to, or recover from an incident. Resource management
under the NIMS includes mutual-aid agreements; the
use of special Federal, State, local, and tribal
teams; and resource mobilization protocols.
Resources Unit: Functional unit
within the Planning Section responsible for
recording the status of resources committed to the
incident. This unit also evaluates resources
currently committed to the incident, the effects
additional responding resources will have on the
incident, and anticipated resource needs.
Response: Activities that
address the short-term, direct effects of an
incident. Response includes immediate actions to
save lives, protect property, and meet basic human
needs. Response also includes the execution of
emergency operations plans and of mitigation
activities designed to limit the loss of life,
personal injury, property damage, and other
unfavorable outcomes. As indicated by the situation,
response activities include applying intelligence
and other information to lessen the effects or
consequences of an incident; increased security
operations; continuing investigations into nature
and source of the threat; ongoing public health and
agricultural surveillance and testing processes;
immunizations, isolation, or quarantine; and
specific law enforcement operations aimed at
preempting, interdicting, or disrupting illegal
activity, and apprehending actual perpetrators and
bringing them to justice.
Safety Officer: A member of the
Command Staff responsible for monitoring and
assessing safety hazards or unsafe situations and
for developing measures for ensuring personnel
safety.
Section: The organizational
level having responsibility for a major functional
area of incident management, e.g., Operations,
Planning, Logistics, Finance/Administration, and
Intelligence (if established). The section is
organizationally situated between the branch and the
Incident Command.
Span of Control: The number of
individuals a supervisor is responsible for, usually
expressed as the ratio of supervisors to
individuals. (Under the NIMS, an appropriate span of
control is between 1:3 and 1:7.)
Staging Area: Location
established where resources can be placed while
awaiting a tactical assignment. The Operations
Section manages Staging Areas.
State: When capitalized, refers
to any State of the United States, the District of
Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the
Virgin Islands, Guam, American Samoa, the
Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, and
any possession of the United States. See Section 2
(14), Homeland Security Act of 2002, Pub. L.
107-296, 116 Stat. 2135 (2002).
Strategic: Strategic elements of
incident management are characterized by continuous
long-term, high-level planning by organizations
headed by elected or other senior officials. These
elements involve the adoption of long-range goals
and objectives, the setting of priorities; the
establishment of budgets and other fiscal decisions,
policy development, and the application of measures
of performance or effectiveness.
Strike Team: A set number of
resources of the same kind and type that have an
established minimum number of personnel.
Strategy: The general direction
selected to accomplish incident objectives set by
the IC.
Supporting Technologies: Any
technology that may be used to support the NIMS is
included in this subsystem. These technologies
include ortho photo mapping, remote automatic
weather stations, infrared technology, and
communications, among various others.
Task Force: Any combination of
resources assembled to support a specific mission or
operational need. All resource elements within a
Task Force must have common communications and a
designated leader.
Technical Assistance: Support
provided to State, local, and tribal jurisdictions
when they have the resources but lack the complete
knowledge and skills needed to perform a required
activity (such as mobile-home park design and
hazardous material assessments).
Terrorism: Under the Homeland
Security Act of 2002, terrorism is defined as
activity that involves an act dangerous to human
life or potentially destructive of critical
infrastructure or key resources and is a violation
of the criminal laws of the United States or of any
State or other subdivision of the United States in
which it occurs and is intended to intimidate or
coerce the civilian population or influence a
government or affect the conduct of a government by
mass destruction, assassination, or kidnapping. See
Section 2 (15), Homeland Security Act of 2002, Pub.
L. 107-296, 116 Stat. 213 5 (2002).
Threat: An indication of
possible violence, harm, or danger.
Tools: Those instruments and
capabilities that allow for the professional
performance of tasks, such as information systems,
agreements, doctrine, capabilities, and legislative
authorities.
Tribal: Any Indian tribe, band,
nation, or other organized group or community,
including any Alaskan Native Village as defined in
or established pursuant to the Alaskan Native Claims
Settlement Act (85 stat. 688) [43 U.S.C.A. and 1601
et seq.], that is recognized as eligible for the
special programs and services provided by the United
States to Indians because of their status as
Indians.
Type: A classification of
resources in the ICS that refers to capability. Type
1 is generally considered to be more capable than
Types 2, 3, or 4, respectively, because of size;
power; capacity; or, in the case of incident
management teams, experience and qualifications.
Unified Area Command: A
Unified Area Command is established when incidents
under an Area Command are multi-jurisdictional. (See
Area Command.)
Unified
Command: An application of ICS used when
there is more than one agency with incident
jurisdiction or when incidents cross-political
jurisdictions. Agencies work together through the
designated members of the UC, often the senior
person from agencies and/or disciplines
participating in the UC, to establish a common set
of objectives and strategies and a single IAP.
Unit: The organizational element
having functional responsibility for a specific
incident planning, logistics, or
finance/administration activity.
Unity of Command: The concept by
which each person within an organization reports to
one and only one designated person. The purpose of
unity of command is to ensure unity of effort under
one responsible commander for every objective.
Volunteer: For purposes of the
NIMS, a volunteer is any individual accepted to
perform services by the lead agency, which has
authority to accept volunteer services, when the
individual performs services without promise,
expectation, or receipt of compensation for services
performed. See, e.g., 16 U.S.C. 742f(c) and 29 CFR
553.101
ACRONYMS
ALS
Advanced Life Support
DOC Department Operations Center
EMAC Emergency Management
Assistance Compact
EOC Emergency Operations Center
EOP Emergency Operations Plan
FOG Field Operations Guide
GIS Geographic Information
System
HAZMAT Hazardous Material
HSPD-5 Homeland Security
Presidential Directive-5
IAP Incident Action Plan
IC Incident Commander
ICP Incident Command Post
ICS Incident Command System
IC or UC Incident Command
or Unified Command
IMT Incident Management Team
JIS Joint Information System
JIC Joint Information Center
LNO Liaison Officer
NDMS National Disaster Medical
System
NGO Nongovernmental Organization
NIMS National Incident
Management System
NRP National Response Plan
POLREP Pollution Report
PIO Public Information Officer
PVO Private Voluntary
Organizations
R&D Research and Development
RESTAT Resources Status
ROSS Resource Ordering and
Status System
SDO Standards Development
Organizations
SITREP Situation Report
SO Safety Officer
SOP Standard Operating Procedure
UC Unified Command
US&R Urban Search and Rescue |
