Defense Against Toxic Weapons: Preface and Table of Contents

Defense Against Toxic Weapons: Preface and Table of Contents

by David R. Franz

DEFENSE AGAINST TOXIN WEAPONS

David R. Franz, DVM, PhD<br> Colonel, Veterinary Corps<br> UNITED STATES ARMY

PREFACE

The contents of this document are not be construed as an official Department of the Army position unless so designated by other authorized documents. Opinions are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect doctrine.

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

The author wishes to thank the investigators and staff of the Toxinology Division, USAMRIID for providing the backdrop for the accumulation of the information contained herein; Drs. Ed Eitzen, Robert Wannemacher, Carol Linden and Robert Boyle for technical review; Ms. Kathy Kenyon and Ms. Cherly Parrott for editorial assistance, and Mr. Gene Griffith for cover design.

U.S. Army Medical Research and Materiel Command

ATTN: U.S. Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases

Fort Detrick

Frederick, Maryland 21702-5011

MCMR-UIZ-B

Defense Against Toxin Weapons

Table of Contents

Introduction

Understanding the Threat

Toxins Compared to Chemical Warfare Agents

Toxins on the Battlefield

Toxicity, Ease of Production and Stability

Classes and Examples of Toxins

How Toxins Work

Many Toxins, But Not an Overwhelming Problem

Populations at Risk

Countermeasures

Physical Protection

Real-Time Detection of an Attack

Diagnosis: General Considerations

Approaches to Prevention and Treatment

Decontamination: Is It Necessary

Answers to Often-Asked Questions

Protection Health-Care Providers

Sample Collection: General Rules for Toxins

Toxin Analysis and Identifycation

Water Treatment

The Future

Intelligence: Information that Protects Soldiers

Toxins as Weapons

Countermeasures to Toxins

Protecting Soldiers