Literature Search and Review for Sampling, Analysis, and Decontamination of Biological Warfare Agent-Contaminated Maritime Vessels
Citation:
Oudejans, L. AND D. See. Literature Search and Review for Sampling, Analysis, and Decontamination of Biological Warfare Agent-Contaminated Maritime Vessels. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Washington, DC, EPA/600/R-20/412, 2021.
Impact/Purpose:
The release of a biological threat agent, such as Bacillus anthracis spores (the causative organism of anthrax disease), over a large outdoor area presents a considerable persistent threat to public health and challenges our environmental response to remediate the impacted area. The lack of readily-available tools and field-tested methods to address wide-spread biological contamination leads to considerable challenges in ensuring the nation’s resilience to such threats. This report summarizes the current scientific literature on remediation-related activities associated with US Coast Guard vessels and other assets. It provides descriptions of research gaps and needs for consideration by US Coast Guard and other federal agencies to improve on sampling and decontamination of vessels following a biological warfare agent release scenario.
Description:
This report summarizes the current scientific literature on remediation-related activities associated with US Coast Guard vessels and other assets. It also provides descriptions of research gaps and needs for consideration by US Coast Guard and other federal agencies to improve on sampling and decontamination of vessels following a biological warfare agent release scenario.