Includes bibliographical references (pages 347-365) and index.

Weapons of mass destruction (WMD) -- Nuclear radiation -- Brief history of nuclear weapons -- Types of nuclear weapons -- Effects of nuclear weapons -- Nuclear weapons detection, protection, and decontamination -- Medical treatment of wounds from nuclear weapons -- Brief history of biological weapons -- Bioweapon diseases and medical treatments -- Delivery systems for bioweapons -- Biological weapon detection, protection, and decontamination -- Introduction to chemical agents -- Effects of chemical weapons and medical treatments -- Delivery systems for chemical weapons -- Chemical agent safety, protection, detection, and decontamination -- Summary of weapons of mass destruction -- Glossary. Crucial information on nuclear, chemical, and biological weapons From the diseased animal carcass hurled over the wall of a besieged castle to the nuclear suitcase bomb carried by a clandestine operative, the threat of unconventional weapons has always been a feature of warfare. Today's danger comes mainly from the potential use of nuclear, biological, and chemical (NBC) weapons of mass destruction (WMD) by international terrorists or rogue states. False alarms and misinformation about these weapons have abounded in the jittery post-9/11 atmosphere. To understand and deal with the actual threat posed requires basing response plans, policy, and reporting on actual facts. Introduction to Weapons of Mass Destruction separates fact from fiction about NBC weaponry by providing clear, technically precise information. For each family of weapon, coverage in this handbook includes: * History and background information * Agent types and delivery mechanisms * Effects of exposure * Protection * Safe storage and handling * Decontamination * Medical treatments Drawing from a broad array of military, scientific, and safety resources, this text offers both accessibility to the general public and accuracy and depth for professional emergency responders. Additional resources include a bibliography of references and a list of addresses and telephone numbers of federal and military agencies and professional organizations of interest. With full coverage of WMDs, from high-tech, genetically modified organisms to rudimentary radiological "dirty bombs," Introduction to Weapons of Mass Destruction is an essential reference for understanding and responding to these dangerous warfare agents.