Citation

Franco C, Bouri N. Biosecur. Bioterror. 2010; 8(2): 107-117.

Affiliation

Center for Biosecurity of UPMC, Baltimore, Maryland 21202, USA. cfranco@upmc-biosecurity.org

Erratum On

Biosecur Bioterror 2010;8(2):210.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2010, Mary Ann Liebert Publishers)

DOI

10.1089/bsp.2010.0009

PMID

20367575

Abstract

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.

Language: en