Bioterrorism: global depression warning
“A lack of transnational cooperation on biosecurity and pandemic disease control could tip the world into the largest economic crisis of the last 100 years, a report said on Thursday. The commission on national security from the Institute for Public Policy Research (IPPR) said bioterrorism or a serious disease outbreak could send the global economy from a ‘serious recession into a global depression.’ The IPPR security commission, chaired by Lord George Robertson former defence secretary and secretary general of NATO, and Lord Paddy Ashdown, former leader of the Liberal Democrats and high representative to Bosnia, said global arrangements to prepare, detect and respond to bioterrorism or disease outbreaks are inadequate.” (In The News; 27Nov08; Source: Institute for Public Policy Research) http://www.inthenews.co.uk/news/autocodes/countries/bosnia-and-herzegovina/bioterrorism-global-depression-warning-$1251616.htm
Depot chemical weapons disposal delayed [KY]
“An Army official overseeing the disposal of chemical weapons in Kentucky says the project is again running behind schedule and now may not even begin until 2021, four years after a deadline Congress set for completion. […] Kevin Flamm, manager of the Defense Department's Assembled Chemical Weapons Alternatives program, said Tuesday that another delay is necessary partly because of increased construction costs and a redesign of a building at Blue Grass Army Depot near Richmond where the deadly Cold War-era munitions are to be neutralized and destroyed. […] The Richmond stockpile is more complicated […] because it contains VX, GB and mustard agent. An emergency operation is under way to destroy three steel containers, one of which leaked sarin last year. Flamm said that effort had nothing to do with the delays at the larger stockpile.” (Associated Press; 27Nov08; Jeffrey McMurray)
http://www.courier-journal.com/article/20081127/NEWS01/811270648/1008/NEWS01
Russian chemical plant completes destruction of [VX] nerve agent
“A Russian chemical weapons disposal facility has completed the destruction of VX nerve agent, a regional government official said on Monday. VX nerve agent is one of the most toxic substances ever developed. A tiny amount of VX is fatal, and death usually occurs within an hour of exposure. Mikhail Manin, a department head in the Kirov region government, said that as of December 1, more than 4,500 tons of toxic agents (a total of 23,473 chemical weapons) were destroyed at the Maradykovsky chemical plant. However, he did not say what proportion the nerve agent constituted of the total amount. […] The country is to destroy all its declared arsenal of 40,000 metric tons of chemical weapons by 2012.” (RIA Novosti; 01Dec08) http://en.rian.ru/russia/20081201/118632753.html
Some vindication for sick [Gulf War] vets, but little relief
“A high-profile advisory panel to Veterans Affairs Secretary James Peake earlier this month affirmed research showing that a collection of symptoms commonly known as Gulf War illnesses are real and require treatment. The country has a national obligation to help them, the panel concluded. The report, however, also noted a sad reality: Of the $340 million in government funds spent to research the topic, little has focused on finding treatments. And, researchers said, the estimated 175,000-210,000 Gulf veterans who are sick aren't getting any better. […] Compounding the problem was the complexity of the symptoms and uncertainty over the causes. Were they caused by combat stress? Was it vaccinations? Was it pills given to protect soldiers from nerve agents? Was it exposure to oil well fires or chemical weapons? Or a combination of factors?” (USA Today; 01Dec08; Steve Jahnke; Source: Associated Press) http://www.usatoday.com/news/washington/2008-12-01-gulf-war-syndrome_N.htm
Lebanon signs up to treaty banning chemical weapons
“Lebanon on Friday signed legal documents which will see it become the 185th signatory to the 1997 Chemical Weapons Convention within 30 days. […] OPCW Director-General Rogelio Pfirter said the convention's founding goal of a universal ban on chemical weapons was coming closer, adding: ‘We call upon those 10 remaining states that have not yet adhered to the CWC to do so without delay.’ Pfirter said in April he had high hopes of Lebanon and Iraq signing up to the treaty in the near future. Three other states in the Middle East -- Israel, Egypt and Syria -- have also still to engage, as has North Korea. Later deadlines for the destruction of stockpiles have been accorded to major producers such as the United States and Russia (2012) or Libya (2011). The OPCW has conducted over 3,000 inspections in 80 member states since its formation.” (AFP; 28Nov08) http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5iNSj-Hx68bU1EPcDzCXPEQs3aHDQ
His [Astrophysicist Jim Ryan’s] bomb detector is out of this world [MA]
“[Astrophysicist Jim] Ryan, 61, was invited to a National Guard exercise on Cape Cod to watch a mock cleanup of a terrorist site filled with the material for dirty bombs […]. As Guardsmen combed the booby-trapped house with hand-held sensors, a light bulb went off in Ryan's head. ‘We detect radioactive aluminum from across the galaxy,’ he said, so ‘I knew we should be able to detect it from across the street.’ […] As he stood on Cape Cod at the dirty bomb drill, watching the National Guard play a game of warmer/colder with their hand-held instruments, he realized that some of the spare parts from the Compton [Gamma Ray] Observatory could be used to pinpoint the location of the dirty bomb material with much greater accuracy than traditional Geiger counters and spectrometers, and from a safer distance.” (Boston Globe; 01Dec08; Billy Baker) http://www.boston.com/news/science/articles/2008/12/01/his_bomb_detector_is_out_of_this_world/
Customs, ports screen for bomb in a box
“Just as fears of a ‘dirty bomb’ coming through the Port of Los Angeles or the Port of Long Beach have increased since the 9/11 attacks on the U.S., so has the available technology that can detect those bombs, said Capt. John Schrinner, Security Chief for McAllister Tug and one of three panelists at the ‘Bomb in a Box’ panel at the recent Maritime Security Expo in Long Beach. As of December 2006, 100 percent of all containers entering the San Pedro ports have been screened for radiation with some of that new technology, a process that was put into motion in response to 9/11. Of the 2,000 to 3,000 containerized shipments screened daily at the San Pedro Bay ports, anywhere from 300 to 600 shipments set off radiation alarms - most of which are triggered by things that are supposed to give off a certain amount of radiation, such as TV sets, porcelain and tile. Nonetheless, each alarm has to be checked out and adjudicated, according to Kevin Weeks of the U.S. Customs and Border Protection Agency.” (The Cunnigham Report; 30Nov08)
http://www.cunninghamreport.com/news_item.php?id=618
Nuclear waste piles up in state [PA]
“The Beaver Valley Power Station in Shippingport [PA] could run out of space for its low-level radioactive waste in two to five years. […] Pennsylvania does not have a disposal site or plans to build one […] because generators could send the waste out of state. Yet, […] facilities in Pennsylvania and neighboring West Virginia, Maryland and Delaware […] could start to run out of storage space by 2013 […]. With the waste scattered at sites across the United States rather than in one central depository, some critics fear it is more vulnerable to terrorism and could be used to build a ‘dirty’ bomb, an explosive device that spreads radioactive material. Security experts and regulators said that's not likely because even small amounts of radioactive material are highly controlled and tracked.” (Pittsburgh Live; 28Nov08; Andrew Conte; Source: Tribune Review)
http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/news/mostread/s_600513.html
Claflin [University] [SC] research seeks easy way to detect [biochem] threats
“Claflin University researchers will soon begin developing a thin strip of paper that can detect the presence of biological outbreaks and chemical weapons. ‘The project has enormous implications for national security,’ Claflin biology professor Dr. Omar Bagasra said. The paper strip will act much like a pregnancy test. The idea is the paper strip will turn a specific color to signal a particular hazard. For example, if Sarin gas is released in an area, the paper would turn green. […] [Claflin chemistry professor Dr. Muthukrishna] Raja said the project’s primary goal is to train students and give them a segue into a career in national security. Select students, between five and 10 per year, will work with the facsimiles to perfect the detection strip and hopefully create the framework for antidotes.” (Times & Democrat; 01Dec08; Lee Tant) http://www.thetandd.com/articles/2008/12/01/news/doc493375986b350239173536.txt
Panel [Commission on the Prevention of Weapons of Mass Destruction Proliferation and terrorism] fears use of unconventional weapon
“An independent commission has concluded that terrorists will most likely carry out an attack with biological, nuclear or other unconventional weapons somewhere in the world in the next five years unless the United States and its allies act urgently to prevent that. […] ‘Were one to map terrorism and weapons of mass destruction today, all roads would intersect in Pakistan,’ the report states […]. The report is the result of a six-month study by the Commission on the Prevention of Weapons of Mass Destruction Proliferation and terrorism, which Congress created last spring in keeping with one of the recommendations of the 9/11 Commission. […] The panel’s 13 recommendations focus on fighting the threat of bioterrorism, including improved bioforensic capabilities, and strengthening international organizations, like the International Atomic Energy Agency, to address the nuclear threat. It also calls for a comprehensive approach for dealing with Pakistan.” (The New York Times; 01Dec08; Eric Schmitt) http://www.nytimes.com/2008/12/01/washington/01bioterror.html?ref=world
CNS ChemBio-WMD terrorism News is prepared by the Chemical and Biological Weapons Nonproliferation Program of the James Martin Center for Nonproliferation Studies at the Monterey Institute of International Studies in order to bring timely and focused information to researchers and policymakers interested in the fields of chemical, biological, and radiological weapons nonproliferation and WMD terrorism.
Showing posts with label long beach. Show all posts
Showing posts with label long beach. Show all posts
Monday, December 01, 2008
Thursday, April 10, 2008
Fallen Navy SEAL Enshrined in Pentagon's Hall of Heroes
By John J. Kruzel
American Forces Press Service
April 9, 2008 - Petty Officer 2nd Class Michael A. Monsoor, a Navy SEAL who posthumously received the Medal of Honor yesterday for his heroic actions in Iraq, joined a rarefied fraternity of military heroes at the Pentagon today. In September 2006, Monsoor leaped onto a grenade and used his body to absorb a blast that likely would have killed two fellow SEALs and several Iraqi soldiers. For his heroism, the Defense Department today enshrined Monsoor's name alongside the 3,446 other Medal of Honor recipients honored in its Hall of Heroes.
"To stand in this room, surrounded by reminders of greatness, of sacrifice and of heroism almost beyond comprehension, shakes the soul and stirs the heart," Navy Secretary Donald C. Winter told the audience inside the Hall of Heroes.
Monsoor, a 25 year-old machine gunner with SEAL Team 3, was providing security in Ramadi, Iraq, at a sniper lookout post on Sept. 29, 2006, when a fragmentation grenade hit his chest and bounced to the floor. Positioned next to the single exit, only Monsoor could have escaped harm.
Instead, he threw himself onto the grenade. Monsoor used his body to absorb the blast and shield two nearby SEALs. The SEALs and eight Iraqi soldiers survived, some with wounds, others unscathed.
Thirty minutes later, Monsoor died.
"He had a clear path to safety," Winter said. "But he chose a different path, a path of honor that embodies the way of a Navy SEAL."
When Monsoor was assigned to Ramadi, it was the most dangerous city in the world for an American servicemember, said Navy Adm. Eric Olson, commander of U.S. Special Operations Command.
Monsoor and his unit received hostile fire on 75 percent of their missions, and many believed the entire Anbar province -- home to Ramadi and other fiercely contentious cities -- was "irrevocably lost to a growing insurgency," Olson said.
"At that time, in that place, what was needed most was brave and highly trained men with guns, determination and discipline," he said. "Navy SEALs ... answered the call, and Michael Monsoor was the best of them."
Army Lt. Col. Ronald Clark, Monsoor's former commanding officer, said the petty officer and his unit embodied the strength and courage of the unified fight against the enemy.
Their efforts, he said, helped foster what is known as the "Anbar Awakening," a societal purging of extremism by a coalition-Anbari alliance that ushered in a level of stability unprecedented since U.S. operations in Iraq began.
"Mikey's valor and selfless service will continue to inspire legions of brave Americans," said Army Lt. Col. Ronald Clark, former commander of the 101st Airborne Division's 1st Battalion, 506th Infantry Regiment. "He'll inspire brave men and women to take up arms to protect our country and our way of life.
"He'll continue to inspire us all, because his spirit is forever woven in the fabric of a grateful nation who will never forget him or his sacrifice to save the lives of his brothers on that rooftop," he continued. "We are honored by his life, humbled by his courage and blessed to have served in the company of a hero."
Family members of the slain SEAL wept and clutched each other in a ceremony packed with servicemembers of all branches and rank who gathered to pay homage to the fourth servicemember to receive the Medal of Honor since the beginning of operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom.
George and Sally Monsoor, the fallen petty officer's parents, accepted the decoration on their son's behalf during a White House ceremony yesterday. The Medal of Honor, awarded for gallantry in combat exceeding the call of duty, is the nation's highest military decoration.
President Bush yesterday characterized Monsoor, a native of Long Beach, Calif., as an unlikely candidate for the SEALs. As a child, he suffered from asthma attacks and coughing fits that routinely landed him in the hospital, Bush said.
But the asthmatic child resolved to wean himself off his inhaler, strengthening his lungs by challenging his siblings in swimming races. The determined child grew into a young man who eventually completed SEAL training, which Bush called the "ultimate test of physical endurance."
"Less than a third of those who begin this training become SEALs," he said. "But Mike would not be denied a spot."
Providing historical context for the decoration today, Deputy Defense Secretary Gordon R. England told the audience the Medal of Honor is earned through actions so courageous they dwarf all other forms of bravery.
"It must put the recipient's life at risk. It must be the type of deed, which had it not been done, the recipient would not be subject to criticism," he told the audience today. "It, and its recipients, are genuine national treasures."
England said war brings to the fore the best and worst human qualities. "Michael Monsoor showed us, again and again, on the violent battlefields of Iraq, and in every step of his young life, the very best we can be," he said.
American Forces Press Service
April 9, 2008 - Petty Officer 2nd Class Michael A. Monsoor, a Navy SEAL who posthumously received the Medal of Honor yesterday for his heroic actions in Iraq, joined a rarefied fraternity of military heroes at the Pentagon today. In September 2006, Monsoor leaped onto a grenade and used his body to absorb a blast that likely would have killed two fellow SEALs and several Iraqi soldiers. For his heroism, the Defense Department today enshrined Monsoor's name alongside the 3,446 other Medal of Honor recipients honored in its Hall of Heroes.
"To stand in this room, surrounded by reminders of greatness, of sacrifice and of heroism almost beyond comprehension, shakes the soul and stirs the heart," Navy Secretary Donald C. Winter told the audience inside the Hall of Heroes.
Monsoor, a 25 year-old machine gunner with SEAL Team 3, was providing security in Ramadi, Iraq, at a sniper lookout post on Sept. 29, 2006, when a fragmentation grenade hit his chest and bounced to the floor. Positioned next to the single exit, only Monsoor could have escaped harm.
Instead, he threw himself onto the grenade. Monsoor used his body to absorb the blast and shield two nearby SEALs. The SEALs and eight Iraqi soldiers survived, some with wounds, others unscathed.
Thirty minutes later, Monsoor died.
"He had a clear path to safety," Winter said. "But he chose a different path, a path of honor that embodies the way of a Navy SEAL."
When Monsoor was assigned to Ramadi, it was the most dangerous city in the world for an American servicemember, said Navy Adm. Eric Olson, commander of U.S. Special Operations Command.
Monsoor and his unit received hostile fire on 75 percent of their missions, and many believed the entire Anbar province -- home to Ramadi and other fiercely contentious cities -- was "irrevocably lost to a growing insurgency," Olson said.
"At that time, in that place, what was needed most was brave and highly trained men with guns, determination and discipline," he said. "Navy SEALs ... answered the call, and Michael Monsoor was the best of them."
Army Lt. Col. Ronald Clark, Monsoor's former commanding officer, said the petty officer and his unit embodied the strength and courage of the unified fight against the enemy.
Their efforts, he said, helped foster what is known as the "Anbar Awakening," a societal purging of extremism by a coalition-Anbari alliance that ushered in a level of stability unprecedented since U.S. operations in Iraq began.
"Mikey's valor and selfless service will continue to inspire legions of brave Americans," said Army Lt. Col. Ronald Clark, former commander of the 101st Airborne Division's 1st Battalion, 506th Infantry Regiment. "He'll inspire brave men and women to take up arms to protect our country and our way of life.
"He'll continue to inspire us all, because his spirit is forever woven in the fabric of a grateful nation who will never forget him or his sacrifice to save the lives of his brothers on that rooftop," he continued. "We are honored by his life, humbled by his courage and blessed to have served in the company of a hero."
Family members of the slain SEAL wept and clutched each other in a ceremony packed with servicemembers of all branches and rank who gathered to pay homage to the fourth servicemember to receive the Medal of Honor since the beginning of operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom.
George and Sally Monsoor, the fallen petty officer's parents, accepted the decoration on their son's behalf during a White House ceremony yesterday. The Medal of Honor, awarded for gallantry in combat exceeding the call of duty, is the nation's highest military decoration.
President Bush yesterday characterized Monsoor, a native of Long Beach, Calif., as an unlikely candidate for the SEALs. As a child, he suffered from asthma attacks and coughing fits that routinely landed him in the hospital, Bush said.
But the asthmatic child resolved to wean himself off his inhaler, strengthening his lungs by challenging his siblings in swimming races. The determined child grew into a young man who eventually completed SEAL training, which Bush called the "ultimate test of physical endurance."
"Less than a third of those who begin this training become SEALs," he said. "But Mike would not be denied a spot."
Providing historical context for the decoration today, Deputy Defense Secretary Gordon R. England told the audience the Medal of Honor is earned through actions so courageous they dwarf all other forms of bravery.
"It must put the recipient's life at risk. It must be the type of deed, which had it not been done, the recipient would not be subject to criticism," he told the audience today. "It, and its recipients, are genuine national treasures."
England said war brings to the fore the best and worst human qualities. "Michael Monsoor showed us, again and again, on the violent battlefields of Iraq, and in every step of his young life, the very best we can be," he said.
Saturday, April 05, 2008
CBR Weapons and WMD Terrorism News- April 4, 2008
Students 'Discover Public Health' at conference [University of Texas]
“UT students studying in the science and medical fields had the opportunity to learn more about public health and debunk common myths Wednesday at ‘Become a Disease Detective: Discover Public Health!’ […]The event featured representatives from 18 schools of public health, 12 scientific presentations, free books and a tour of a Mobile Analytical Laboratory System operated by the Texas National Guard's Sixth Weapons of Mass Destruction Civil Support Team. […]one goal of the event was to change what people understand about public health.” (The Daily Texan; 03Apr08; Katie Quinn).
http://media.www.dailytexanonline.com/media/storage/paper410/news/2008/04/03/TopStories/Students.discover.Public.Health.At.Conference-3300986.shtml
New Report Finds Midwestern States Receive Least Federal Support for Public Health
“Midwestern states receive less funding from the CDC than other states, at an average of $16.24 per person. Western states receive the second least, with an average of $19.74 per person. Northeastern states receive an average of $23.37 per person. Southern states receive the most CDC funding, with an average of $29.40 per person. Federal funding for disease and injury prevention programs in states averages out to be $17.23 per person for fiscal year (FY) 2007. However, CDC funding for individual states can vary by more than $56 per person, according to the analysis.” (Trust for America’s Health; 02Apr08).
http://healthyamericans.org/newsroom/releases/release040208.pdf
State, federal officials to mark completion of Ricketts Laboratory [University of Chicago]
“On Sunday, April 6, representatives from the University Medical Center, Argonne National Laboratories, the U.S. Department of Energy, the National Institutes of Health and the State of Illinois will cut a ribbon to celebrate the upcoming completion of the Howard T. Ricketts Regional Biocontainment Laboratory, located at Argonne. […] ‘The express purpose and specific design of the laboratory is to generate the very best science and technology in a safe, central, state-of-the-art facility to produce drugs, vaccines and diagnostic devices to counter bioterrorism and emerging infectious diseases,’ said Olaf Schneewind, Professor and Chair of Microbiology, who heads the project. ‘Few laboratories in the United States are capable of safely working on multiple microbes that cause diseases such as anthrax or plague.’” (The University of Chicago Chronicle; 03Apr08; John Easton).
http://chronicle.uchicago.edu/080403/ricketts.shtml
EPA [Environmental Protection Agency] and DHS [Department of Homeland Security] to Co-host Conference to Address High Priority Technical Challenges for Assessing Risk Exposure to Pathogens April 8-10, Bethesda, MD
“The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) are teaming up to hold a three-day conference to address the real-world applications, technical challenges and solutions for conducting microbiological risk assessments.” (EPA Newsroom; 03Apr08).
http://yosemite.epa.gov/opa/admpress.nsf/0/92aef4dea4988090852574200057aad3?OpenDocument
Homeland project addresses outbreaks [Fort Bend, Texas]
“MRC's [Fort Bend County Medical Reserve Corps] purpose is to protect county residents in case of a bioterrorism or epidemic event, and the HPP helps organizations such as MRC prepare for various types of disasters by training volunteers. John Holleman, Richmond-Rosenberg HPP consultant, said medications have been stockpiled since 1999, and in case of a health emergency a 747 jet will transport medication to the Point of Distribution (POD) site. […] the local MRC is currently recruiting qualified individuals to build a strong volunteer base.” (Fort Bend Herald; 03Apr08; Marquita Griffin).
http://www.herald-coaster.com/articles/2008/04/03/news/news04.txt
Site-Selection Process for Lab to be discussed [New York State]
“The Department of Homeland Security has scheduled an April 15 meeting in Southold to discuss the site-selection process for a new laboratory that would replace or supplement the Plum Island Animal Disease Center [North Fork, New York]. […] While the current lab studies foreign animal diseases like foot-and-mouth that are not contagious for humans, the new lab will be a ‘Bio-Safety Level 4’ facility that would work with pathogens potentially fatal to humans, such as anthrax and botulism.” (Newsday; 03Apr08; Bill Bleyer).
http://www.newsday.com/news/local/suffolk/ny-nyindex5636385apr03,0,2269796.story
Biolab follies [Boston University Medical Center]
“Boston University Medical Center (BUMC) may still end up hosting a BSL-4 [Biosafety Level 4] facility, but this is hardly the sure thing it once was. In fact, given the current momentum of the debate, the smart money might actually be on the biolab not coming to fruition, at least as it was originally conceived.” (The Phoenix; 02Apr08; Adam Reilly).
http://thephoenix.com/article_ektid59049.aspx
'Anthrax' graffiti prompts probe at Port of Long Beach [California]
“Hazardous-materials teams investigating a cargo container that arrived at the Port of Long Beach this morning marked with black graffiti saying ‘Anthrax a gift from Osama’ found no initial signs of contaminants. […]Two teams conducted atmospheric monitoring tests of the inside of the container, and also swabbed surfaces for trace minerals, but found no signs of anthrax or other toxic chemicals, said Long Beach Fire Battalion Chief Frank Hayes.” (Los Angeles Times; 03Apr08; Molly Hennessy-Fiske).
http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-container3apr03,1,4159952.story
US Department of Defense to adopt UB [University of Buffalo, New York] invention
“The BioBlower, a recently-patented air sterilization technology developed at UB, will be used by the US military to immediately destroy airborne biological pathogens in the air. […] The device sterilizes a continuous flow of air via compressive heating - the very same process that heats up a tire when it is inflated, according to James F. Garvey, professor of chemistry and co-founder of Buffalo BioBlower Technologies, a UB spin-off company. […]The Buffalo BioBlower project is funded by the US Department of Defense, the New York State Foundation for Science, Technology and Innovation (NYSTAR), UB's Office of Science Technology and Economic Outreach and the UB Center for Advanced Biomedical and Bioengineering Technology.” (The Spectrum; 04Apr08; Nicole Difasi).
http://spectrum.buffalo.edu/article.php?id=36296
During CSEPP drill SFD stands out [Stuttgart Fire Department, in Stuttgart, Arizona]
“The Stuttgart Fire Department finished among the top tier at last Wednesday’s Chemical Stockpile Emergency Preparedness Program (CSEPP) drill that was held in Stuttgart.” (Stuttgart Daily Leader; 03Apr08; Leigh Kreimeier).
http://www.stuttgartdailyleader.com/articles/2008/04/03/news/news01.txt
Man Accused of Cover-Up in Ricin Probe [Salt Lake City, Utah in connection with Las Vegas case]
“The cousin of a man who may have been sickened by the deadly toxin ricin has been accused of failing to report that the substance was being illegally produced. Thomas Tholen, 54, was indicted by a federal grand jury on the charge of misprision of felony — having knowledge of a crime but failing to report it.” (Associated Press; 03Apr08; Paul Foy).
http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5jM7qg8oXI4YiKn3zf0e_HoIubm-AD8VQDG3O0
N.S. cabinet minister’s office cordoned off after suspicious powder found [Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada]
“Authorities cordoned off Immigration Minister Len Goucher’s constituency office in the Halifax area Wednesday afternoon after one of his employees opened an envelope containing suspicious white powder. […] ‘There was an envelope delivered to the MLA’s office with some white powder in it. It was opened and exposed one of the people in the office,’ [Capt. Brad Connors of the Halifax fire department.] Connors said. […]’The police and fire came in to test it. It came up negative for anthrax, and there were a couple other things that they test for. Now we’re just going through a little bit of a decontamination process in the office.’” (Truro Daily News; 04Apr08; Canadian Press).
http://www.trurodaily.com/index.cfm?sid=123004&sc=518
Chemical agent destruction behind schedule [Richmond, Kentucky]
“Plans have fallen behind schedule to destroy 157 gallons of chemical agent stored at the Blue Grass Army Depot. Destruction of the nerve agent GB, commonly known as sarin, was set to begin in March after workers discovered last year that it was leaking from its storage container. […]In December, Blue Grass Chemical Activity officials outlined plans to drain, neutralize and remove the GB by May. The project, called Operation Swift Solution, will cost about $1.7 million and was scheduled to take 80 days to complete. Flamm [Kevin Flamm, program manager for Assembled Chemical Weapons Alternatives] said he might have been ‘overly optimistic’ in setting a March start date, but still hopes to finish sometime in May.”
(Lexington Herald-Leader; 03Apr08; Ashlee Clark).
http://www.kentucky.com/779/story/365793.html
Institute/USA: Bayer plant still home to MIC [methyl isocyanate] stockpile [West Virginia]
“At Bayer's Institute/West Virginia plant large quantities of the highly toxic chemicals methyl isocyanate (MIC) and phosgene are produced and stored. […]The Coalition against Bayer Dangers introduced a countermotion to Bayer’s Annual Stockholders’ Meeting which demands not to ratify the board until the stockpiles are dismantled and the frequent spills of hazardous substances are stopped. The countermotion will be discussed in the meeting at Cologne/Germany on April 25.” (News Blaze; 03Apr08).
http://newsblaze.com/story/20080403113727tsop.np/newsblaze/NEWSWIRE/NewsBlaze-Wire.html
Iran to Attend Chemical Weapons Convention
“The delegation from Iran's Society for Chemical Weapons Victims Support (SCWVS) seeks to raise international awareness about the medical, psychological, social and environmental effects of chemical warfare […]” (Fars News Agency; 04Apr08).
http://english.farsnews.com/newstext.php?nn=8701150193
Pakistan committed to non-proliferation of WMDs’
“Foreign Secretary Riaz Muhammad Khan on Thursday inaugurated Wide Area Network (WAN) of the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC) Implementation Mechanism during a function at the Foreign Affairs Ministry, said a press release. […]It said Pakistan had to transmit data relating to import/export of certain categories of chemicals on annual basis to the OPCW and the establishment of the CWC Implementation Mechanism underscored its commitment to the non-proliferation of […] WMD.” (Daily Times, Pakistan; 04Apr08).
http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2008%5C04%5C04%5Cstory_4-4-2008_pg7_21
U.S., Russia at Odds on Key Arms Issues
“Although unable to resolve their major disputes, the two sides vowed to continue work initiated last year on a ‘strategic framework document,’ which Rice said would ‘record all of the elements of the U.S.-Russia relationship.’ She cited as key examples joint projects to combat nuclear terrorism and provide nuclear fuel assurances to states forgoing uranium-enrichment and plutonium reprocessing capabilities that can be used to make nuclear bombs.” (Arms Control Association; 03Apr08; Wade Boese).
http://www.armscontrol.org/act/2008_04/USRussiaAtOdds.asp
Nuclear terrorism remains a threat
“DHS Undersecretary for Intelligence and Analysis Charles Allen said during testimony Wednesday before the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs that the threat of a terrorist obtaining nuclear material remains a constant concern. However, Allen estimated that the technical challenges of actually detonating an improvised nuclear devise in the United States remain a significant obstacle to terrorists […].” (United Press International; 03Apr08).
http://www.upi.com/International_Security/Emerging_Threats/Briefing/2008/04/03/nuclear_terrorism_remains_a_threat/1330/
CNS ChemBio-WMD Terrorism News is prepared by the Chemical and Biological Weapons Nonproliferation Program of the James Martin Center for Nonproliferation Studies at the Monterey Institute of International Studies in order to bring timely and focused information to researchers and policymakers interested in the fields of chemical, biological, and radiological weapons nonproliferation and WMD terrorism.
“UT students studying in the science and medical fields had the opportunity to learn more about public health and debunk common myths Wednesday at ‘Become a Disease Detective: Discover Public Health!’ […]The event featured representatives from 18 schools of public health, 12 scientific presentations, free books and a tour of a Mobile Analytical Laboratory System operated by the Texas National Guard's Sixth Weapons of Mass Destruction Civil Support Team. […]one goal of the event was to change what people understand about public health.” (The Daily Texan; 03Apr08; Katie Quinn).
http://media.www.dailytexanonline.com/media/storage/paper410/news/2008/04/03/TopStories/Students.discover.Public.Health.At.Conference-3300986.shtml
New Report Finds Midwestern States Receive Least Federal Support for Public Health
“Midwestern states receive less funding from the CDC than other states, at an average of $16.24 per person. Western states receive the second least, with an average of $19.74 per person. Northeastern states receive an average of $23.37 per person. Southern states receive the most CDC funding, with an average of $29.40 per person. Federal funding for disease and injury prevention programs in states averages out to be $17.23 per person for fiscal year (FY) 2007. However, CDC funding for individual states can vary by more than $56 per person, according to the analysis.” (Trust for America’s Health; 02Apr08).
http://healthyamericans.org/newsroom/releases/release040208.pdf
State, federal officials to mark completion of Ricketts Laboratory [University of Chicago]
“On Sunday, April 6, representatives from the University Medical Center, Argonne National Laboratories, the U.S. Department of Energy, the National Institutes of Health and the State of Illinois will cut a ribbon to celebrate the upcoming completion of the Howard T. Ricketts Regional Biocontainment Laboratory, located at Argonne. […] ‘The express purpose and specific design of the laboratory is to generate the very best science and technology in a safe, central, state-of-the-art facility to produce drugs, vaccines and diagnostic devices to counter bioterrorism and emerging infectious diseases,’ said Olaf Schneewind, Professor and Chair of Microbiology, who heads the project. ‘Few laboratories in the United States are capable of safely working on multiple microbes that cause diseases such as anthrax or plague.’” (The University of Chicago Chronicle; 03Apr08; John Easton).
http://chronicle.uchicago.edu/080403/ricketts.shtml
EPA [Environmental Protection Agency] and DHS [Department of Homeland Security] to Co-host Conference to Address High Priority Technical Challenges for Assessing Risk Exposure to Pathogens April 8-10, Bethesda, MD
“The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) are teaming up to hold a three-day conference to address the real-world applications, technical challenges and solutions for conducting microbiological risk assessments.” (EPA Newsroom; 03Apr08).
http://yosemite.epa.gov/opa/admpress.nsf/0/92aef4dea4988090852574200057aad3?OpenDocument
Homeland project addresses outbreaks [Fort Bend, Texas]
“MRC's [Fort Bend County Medical Reserve Corps] purpose is to protect county residents in case of a bioterrorism or epidemic event, and the HPP helps organizations such as MRC prepare for various types of disasters by training volunteers. John Holleman, Richmond-Rosenberg HPP consultant, said medications have been stockpiled since 1999, and in case of a health emergency a 747 jet will transport medication to the Point of Distribution (POD) site. […] the local MRC is currently recruiting qualified individuals to build a strong volunteer base.” (Fort Bend Herald; 03Apr08; Marquita Griffin).
http://www.herald-coaster.com/articles/2008/04/03/news/news04.txt
Site-Selection Process for Lab to be discussed [New York State]
“The Department of Homeland Security has scheduled an April 15 meeting in Southold to discuss the site-selection process for a new laboratory that would replace or supplement the Plum Island Animal Disease Center [North Fork, New York]. […] While the current lab studies foreign animal diseases like foot-and-mouth that are not contagious for humans, the new lab will be a ‘Bio-Safety Level 4’ facility that would work with pathogens potentially fatal to humans, such as anthrax and botulism.” (Newsday; 03Apr08; Bill Bleyer).
http://www.newsday.com/news/local/suffolk/ny-nyindex5636385apr03,0,2269796.story
Biolab follies [Boston University Medical Center]
“Boston University Medical Center (BUMC) may still end up hosting a BSL-4 [Biosafety Level 4] facility, but this is hardly the sure thing it once was. In fact, given the current momentum of the debate, the smart money might actually be on the biolab not coming to fruition, at least as it was originally conceived.” (The Phoenix; 02Apr08; Adam Reilly).
http://thephoenix.com/article_ektid59049.aspx
'Anthrax' graffiti prompts probe at Port of Long Beach [California]
“Hazardous-materials teams investigating a cargo container that arrived at the Port of Long Beach this morning marked with black graffiti saying ‘Anthrax a gift from Osama’ found no initial signs of contaminants. […]Two teams conducted atmospheric monitoring tests of the inside of the container, and also swabbed surfaces for trace minerals, but found no signs of anthrax or other toxic chemicals, said Long Beach Fire Battalion Chief Frank Hayes.” (Los Angeles Times; 03Apr08; Molly Hennessy-Fiske).
http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-container3apr03,1,4159952.story
US Department of Defense to adopt UB [University of Buffalo, New York] invention
“The BioBlower, a recently-patented air sterilization technology developed at UB, will be used by the US military to immediately destroy airborne biological pathogens in the air. […] The device sterilizes a continuous flow of air via compressive heating - the very same process that heats up a tire when it is inflated, according to James F. Garvey, professor of chemistry and co-founder of Buffalo BioBlower Technologies, a UB spin-off company. […]The Buffalo BioBlower project is funded by the US Department of Defense, the New York State Foundation for Science, Technology and Innovation (NYSTAR), UB's Office of Science Technology and Economic Outreach and the UB Center for Advanced Biomedical and Bioengineering Technology.” (The Spectrum; 04Apr08; Nicole Difasi).
http://spectrum.buffalo.edu/article.php?id=36296
During CSEPP drill SFD stands out [Stuttgart Fire Department, in Stuttgart, Arizona]
“The Stuttgart Fire Department finished among the top tier at last Wednesday’s Chemical Stockpile Emergency Preparedness Program (CSEPP) drill that was held in Stuttgart.” (Stuttgart Daily Leader; 03Apr08; Leigh Kreimeier).
http://www.stuttgartdailyleader.com/articles/2008/04/03/news/news01.txt
Man Accused of Cover-Up in Ricin Probe [Salt Lake City, Utah in connection with Las Vegas case]
“The cousin of a man who may have been sickened by the deadly toxin ricin has been accused of failing to report that the substance was being illegally produced. Thomas Tholen, 54, was indicted by a federal grand jury on the charge of misprision of felony — having knowledge of a crime but failing to report it.” (Associated Press; 03Apr08; Paul Foy).
http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5jM7qg8oXI4YiKn3zf0e_HoIubm-AD8VQDG3O0
N.S. cabinet minister’s office cordoned off after suspicious powder found [Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada]
“Authorities cordoned off Immigration Minister Len Goucher’s constituency office in the Halifax area Wednesday afternoon after one of his employees opened an envelope containing suspicious white powder. […] ‘There was an envelope delivered to the MLA’s office with some white powder in it. It was opened and exposed one of the people in the office,’ [Capt. Brad Connors of the Halifax fire department.] Connors said. […]’The police and fire came in to test it. It came up negative for anthrax, and there were a couple other things that they test for. Now we’re just going through a little bit of a decontamination process in the office.’” (Truro Daily News; 04Apr08; Canadian Press).
http://www.trurodaily.com/index.cfm?sid=123004&sc=518
Chemical agent destruction behind schedule [Richmond, Kentucky]
“Plans have fallen behind schedule to destroy 157 gallons of chemical agent stored at the Blue Grass Army Depot. Destruction of the nerve agent GB, commonly known as sarin, was set to begin in March after workers discovered last year that it was leaking from its storage container. […]In December, Blue Grass Chemical Activity officials outlined plans to drain, neutralize and remove the GB by May. The project, called Operation Swift Solution, will cost about $1.7 million and was scheduled to take 80 days to complete. Flamm [Kevin Flamm, program manager for Assembled Chemical Weapons Alternatives] said he might have been ‘overly optimistic’ in setting a March start date, but still hopes to finish sometime in May.”
(Lexington Herald-Leader; 03Apr08; Ashlee Clark).
http://www.kentucky.com/779/story/365793.html
Institute/USA: Bayer plant still home to MIC [methyl isocyanate] stockpile [West Virginia]
“At Bayer's Institute/West Virginia plant large quantities of the highly toxic chemicals methyl isocyanate (MIC) and phosgene are produced and stored. […]The Coalition against Bayer Dangers introduced a countermotion to Bayer’s Annual Stockholders’ Meeting which demands not to ratify the board until the stockpiles are dismantled and the frequent spills of hazardous substances are stopped. The countermotion will be discussed in the meeting at Cologne/Germany on April 25.” (News Blaze; 03Apr08).
http://newsblaze.com/story/20080403113727tsop.np/newsblaze/NEWSWIRE/NewsBlaze-Wire.html
Iran to Attend Chemical Weapons Convention
“The delegation from Iran's Society for Chemical Weapons Victims Support (SCWVS) seeks to raise international awareness about the medical, psychological, social and environmental effects of chemical warfare […]” (Fars News Agency; 04Apr08).
http://english.farsnews.com/newstext.php?nn=8701150193
Pakistan committed to non-proliferation of WMDs’
“Foreign Secretary Riaz Muhammad Khan on Thursday inaugurated Wide Area Network (WAN) of the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC) Implementation Mechanism during a function at the Foreign Affairs Ministry, said a press release. […]It said Pakistan had to transmit data relating to import/export of certain categories of chemicals on annual basis to the OPCW and the establishment of the CWC Implementation Mechanism underscored its commitment to the non-proliferation of […] WMD.” (Daily Times, Pakistan; 04Apr08).
http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2008%5C04%5C04%5Cstory_4-4-2008_pg7_21
U.S., Russia at Odds on Key Arms Issues
“Although unable to resolve their major disputes, the two sides vowed to continue work initiated last year on a ‘strategic framework document,’ which Rice said would ‘record all of the elements of the U.S.-Russia relationship.’ She cited as key examples joint projects to combat nuclear terrorism and provide nuclear fuel assurances to states forgoing uranium-enrichment and plutonium reprocessing capabilities that can be used to make nuclear bombs.” (Arms Control Association; 03Apr08; Wade Boese).
http://www.armscontrol.org/act/2008_04/USRussiaAtOdds.asp
Nuclear terrorism remains a threat
“DHS Undersecretary for Intelligence and Analysis Charles Allen said during testimony Wednesday before the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs that the threat of a terrorist obtaining nuclear material remains a constant concern. However, Allen estimated that the technical challenges of actually detonating an improvised nuclear devise in the United States remain a significant obstacle to terrorists […].” (United Press International; 03Apr08).
http://www.upi.com/International_Security/Emerging_Threats/Briefing/2008/04/03/nuclear_terrorism_remains_a_threat/1330/
CNS ChemBio-WMD Terrorism News is prepared by the Chemical and Biological Weapons Nonproliferation Program of the James Martin Center for Nonproliferation Studies at the Monterey Institute of International Studies in order to bring timely and focused information to researchers and policymakers interested in the fields of chemical, biological, and radiological weapons nonproliferation and WMD terrorism.
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