Most commercial buildings are not configured and maintained in ways that effectively reduce occupants’ risk of exposure to biological threats. As a result, the majority of people in high occupancy buildings are unnecessarily vulnerable to both aerosolized biological attacks and naturally occurring biological threats. Note: All references cited below can be found in the reference list.
Intentional threats—bioterrorism: Bioterrorism is an urgent and growing threat to U.S. national security, and the lethality of biological weapons mirrors that of nuclear weapons. A covert biological attack on U.S. civilians could potentially cause tens of thousands of casualties and immense social and economic disruption. Furthermore, there are no significant technical barriers to prevent the development and use of biological weapons, and tactical warning of a biological attack is unlikely.
Several states potentially hostile to the United States are suspected of having biological weapons programs, and there are groups, such as al-Qa’ida, that are both committed to attacking the U.S. and are pursuing biological weapons capabilities. [2,47] According to the July 2007 U.S. National Intelligence Estimate regarding the terrorist threat to the U.S. homeland, al-Qa’ida “would not hesitate” to use biological weapons “if it develops what it deems is sufficient capability.”[2]
Commercial buildings are attractive targets for biological attacks because they present a potential for wide-scale agent dispersal through air handling systems, as well as the potential to cause mass casualties and great economic loss, as a result of productivity losses, decontamination costs, etc.[3,4] It is known that al-Qa’ida is aware of the potential to use air handling systems to attack building occupants: as early as 1998, training in Afghanistan-based al-Qa’ida camps included the use of ventilation systems as a "delivery system" to attack buildings with poisons.[5]
Naturally occurring threats—bacteria, molds, allergens, etc: Building occupants face threats from numerous, naturally occurring biological contaminants that can be spread through the air, including viruses, bacteria, molds, toxins produced by bacteria/molds, and allergens such as pollen, pet dander, and pest droppings.[6-13] The health effects associated with naturally occurring indoor biological air pollutants include disease, toxicoses, and hypersensitivity (i.e., allergic) diseases.[6-13] In addition, exposure to indoor biological air pollutants has been associated with "sick building syndrome," a set of non-specific symptoms that may include upper-respiratory irritative symptoms, headaches, fatigue, and rash, and "appear to be linked to time spent in a building, but no specific illness or cause can be identified.”[14]
Indoor biological pollutants can find their way into and spread around buildings in varying ways depending on the contaminant. Many bacteria, molds, and allergens are ubiquitous in the outdoor environment and can enter a building and spread throughout via the air handling system.[6] Bacteria, molds, and allergens also can be brought into a building on myriad sources, including building materials, carpets, clothing, food, or by pets and pests (e.g., rodents, cockroaches).[6] Once in a building, certain bacterial and mold species can get into the HVAC system and grow in damp or wet places such as cooling coils, humidifiers, condensate pans, and filters, or may grow in places where water has collected, such as ceiling tiles, carpeting, or insulation, any of which can then serve as a continued source of contamination throughout a building.[6]
Problems in configuration and maintenance: Most commercial buildings are not configured and maintained in ways that effectively reduce occupants' risk of exposure to biological threats:
On June 13–14, 2005, the Center for Biosecurity of UPMC convened the Working Group on Reduction of Exposure to Infectious Agents during a Covert Bioterrorism Attack. The Working Group was charged with recommending practical steps that building owners can take to reduce the risk of occupant exposure to harmful pathogens after an aerosol release of a biological weapon.[1] The Working Group was composed of subject matter experts in air filtration, building ventilation and pressurization, air conditioning and air distribution, biosecurity, building design and operation, building decontamination and restoration, economics, medicine, public health, and public policy.
Practical measures and available technologies: The Working Group focused on developing practical recommendations for improving or adjusting the functions of the heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems in commercial and public buildings that could reduce the risk of occupant exposure to aerosolized pathogens following a biological attack. The Working Group placed an emphasis on currently available technologies that would not be prohibitively expensive or require major retrofits and that could provide additional benefits, such as improved indoor air quality.
A caveat — do no harm: It is imperative that building owners and operators fully assess the potential consequences of any risk reduction measures prior to implementation. Changes should not be made to buildings, building systems, and operations if they will degrade indoor air quality and comfort under normal operating conditions or if they will in any way interfere with the proper operation of fire protection and life safety systems.
Seven recommendations for immediate implementation: The following recommendations can be immediately implemented by building owners and operators, as appropriate; they are based on those of the Working Group on Reduction of Exposure to Infectious Agents during a Covert Bioterrorism Attack.
Potential collateral benefits: Available scientific data suggest that implementing measures to reduce building vulnerability and the related risk of occupant exposure to bio threats may have additional (“dual-use”) benefits, including:
improved HVAC system cleanliness, which can potentially improve building energy efficiency and reduce operating/maintenance costs over time; and
improved indoor air quality, which may improve the health and increase the productivity of building occupants.[15]
Note: The information that appears on the pages collectively known as "Protecting Building Occupants" was up-to-date and accurate when published in 2008; the materials have not been updated since original publication. Please be sure to check current resources for the most up-to-date information on this topic.
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