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Title:

Environmental Decontamination Following a Large-Scale Bioterrorism Attack: Federal Progress and Remaining Gaps

Authors:

Crystal Franco, Nidhi Bouri

Date posted:

April 07, 2010

Publication type:

Article

Publication:

Biosecur Bioterror 2010;8(2):107-117

Publisher:

Mary Ann Liebert, Inc.

DOI:

10.1089/bsp.2010.0009

Availability:

Open access

See also:

Full article available on publisher's site: HTML • PDF

Introduction:

The process of environmental decontamination is a key step in a successful response to a large-scale attack involving a biological agent. Costs for the decontamination response following the 2001 anthrax attacks were estimated in the hundreds of millions of dollars, and some facilities could not be reopened for more than 2 years. However, a large-scale biological attack would likely result in an even greater amount of contamination, more areas that need to be cleaned and made safe, and a much greater cost to the American public. This article identifies gaps in decontamination policy and technical practice at the federal level and provides practical recommendations that will better enable the U.S. to undertake a biological decontamination response.

Full article available on publisher's site: HTML • PDF