HLSS154 Mind Of A Terrorist

Emergency Response to Terrorism

Terrorism involves the use of an array of radiological, biological, and chemical agents which impact health and climate in various ways. Benzyl bromide is one of the chemical agents which irritates the mucous membrane and also effects the sensory by producing instantaneous pain to the eyes (Feeney et al., 2015). The proper decontamination and treatment method of Benzyl bromide is through the vapor phase hydrogen peroxide method which replaces ethylene oxide, formaldehyde, and carcinogenic. Besides, the dispersal method for Benzyl bromide is aircraft spray and crop-duster.

In the same vein, toxins ricin is one of the biological agents which can result in allergies, diseases such as anthrax, and death. It can be decontaminated by removing the clothes and thoroughly cleaning the body with sodium hypochlorite (Feeney et al., 2015). Moreover, its methods of treatment encompass establishing that the patient’s breathing circulation is sufficient and his or her airway is patent in ABCs. Toxins ricin is exclusively dispersed through its addition to beverages and food.

Subsequently, a radiological agent such as barium used in imaging can lead to paralysis, respiratory failure, and elevated blood pressure. It can be decontaminated through the administration of oral magnesium sulphate which changes it to insoluble barium sulphate. Notably, barium in the body can be treated though antagonist therapy method.  The dispersal device for barium is a dirty bomb which is an explosive dispersal method.  

As a first responder, I would treat an individual suffering from radiological, biological, and chemical agents by decontaminating the agents as soon as possible and with priority. First, I would approach the scene upward air with caution and conduct scene assessment and recognize the indicators and signs of CBRN incidents. Some of the challenges in treating radiological, biological and chemical agents’ victims include the selection of the efficient decontamination method (Burke, 2017) and exposure of chemicals to the worker through the handling of the components.

References

Burke, R. A. (2017). Counter-terrorism for emergency responders. CRC Press.

Feeney, J. M., Ziegler, K., Armstrong, J. M., & Shapiro, D. (2015). Terrorist Event Training in US Medical Schools. A Survey of Chemical, Biologic, Radiologic, Nuclear, and High-Yield Explosives Training in US Medical Schools. Connecticut medicine, 79(10), 581-585.