The Virginia Department of Health is dedicated to protecting public health, including preparing for and responding to weapons of mass destruction. Weapons of mass destruction can include biological, chemical or radiological threats as defined below.
Biological
Agents
A biological agent is a bacterium, virus or other biological substance
that can cause disease. Bioterrorism involves the use of any of
these biological agents with the intent to cause harm.
Chemical
Agents
A chemical agent is a toxic gas, liquid or solid that can harm people
or the environment. Chemical Terrorism involves the use of any of
these chemical agents with the intent to cause harm.
Radiological
and Nuclear Threats
Radiological and nuclear threats include nuclear weapons and dirty
bombs. Both spread radioactive materials, but a nuclear explosion
would have a far reaching impact while a dirty bomb would affect
a more targeted area. Intentional release of radioactive material
is another form of terrorism.
Preparing for a Terrorist Bombing: A Common Sense Approach Fact
Sheet
Although terrorists use a variety of methods to inflict harm
and create fear, bombs are used most frequently. According to
the U. S. Federal Bureau of Investigation, bombings accounted
for nearly 70 percent of all terrorist attacks in the U.S.
and its territories between 1980 and 2001. This document focuses
on common sense principles that will be useful in a bombing
event.
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