Emergency Response Resources

Terrorism Response (General)

Protecting Emergency Responders, Volume 3:  Safety Management in Disaster and Terrorism Response
Background and recommendations for improving safety management at large-scale disaster sites.  Covers natural and manmade disasters, including terrorism. See Protecting Emergency Responders Volumes 1 & 2 for more information on terrorism response.

Safeguarding Building Ventilation

Guidance for Filtration and Air-Cleaning Systems to Protect Building Environments from Airborne Chemical, Biological, or Radiological Attacks
DHHS (NIOSH) Pub No. 2003-136
Provides preventive measures that building owners and managers can implement to protect building air environments from a terrorist release of chemical, biological, or radiolgical contaminants.

Protecting Building Environments from Airborne Chemical, Biological, or Radiological Attack
Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, September 6, 2002 / 51(35);789

Guidance for Protecting Building Environments from Airborne Chemical, Biological, or Radiological Attacks
DHHS (NIOSH) Pub. No. 2002-139
Preventive measures that building owners and managers can take to protect building air environments from a terrorist release of contaminants.

Anthrax

NIOSH Irradiated Mail Topic Page
Contains information on OPM reports and Health Hazard Evaluations conducted in response to requests from postal employees, federal workers, and Congressional employees.

Protecting Workers from Anthrax Infection- Response from NIOSH
DHHS (NIOSH) Publication Number 2002-142

Summary of NIOSH efforts to develop sampling procedures, recommend effective interim protective measures, safeguard workers, assess the effectiveness of decontamination, and disseminate information in the aftermath of the October 2001, anthrax attacks.

Occupational Health Guidelines for Remediation Workers at Anthrax Contaminated Sites
Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, September 6, 2002 / 51(35);786-789

Comprehensive Procedures for Collecting Environmental Samples for Culturing Bacillus anthracis- Revised April 2002
Plan for Investigating Environmental Contamination, Methods for bulk, sterile swab, suface wipe, HEPA vacuum, and air sampling

Evaluation of Bacillus anthracis Contamination Inside the Brentwood Mail Processing and Distribution Center --- District of Columbia, October 2001
Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, December 21, 2001 / 50(50);1129-1133

Anthrax in the Workplace: Risk Reduction Matrix (OSHA)
External Link: http://www.osha.gov/bioterrorism/anthrax/matrix/index.html
Advice for employers in assessing risks, suggestions for protective equipment and safe work practices.

OSHA Anthrax E-Tool
External Link: http://www.osha.gov/SLTC/anthrax_etool/index.html
Provides information on anthrax, including its potential impact on the workforce, and development and implementation of emergency action plans.

Protecting Investigators Performing Environmental Sampling for Bacillus anthracis: Personal Protective Equipment
Information on assessing biological hazards, guidance for choosing appropriate protective equipment.

CDC Interim Recommendations for Protecting Workers from Exposure to Bacillus anthracis in Work Sites Where Mail Is Handled or Processed
IGuidance for implementing engineering, administrative, and housekeeping controls; advice for mail workers.

Interim Recommendations for Firefighters and Other First Responders for the Selection and Use of Protective Clothing and Respirators Against Biological Agents
Recommendations for selecting personal protective equipment for biological agents.

Bioterrorism-Related Inhalational Anthrax: The First 10 Cases Reported in the United States (CDC)
Emerging Infectious Diseases Vol. 7, No. 6 — November-December 2001

Chemical Hazards

NIOSH Chemical Agent Information
Includes NIOSH Emergency Response Cards, information on Cyanide, Sarin, Nitrogen Mustard, Sulfur Mustard, VX, other chemicals.

Public Health Emergency Preparedness and Response (CDC)
Includes preparation & planning, chemical and biological agents, emergency contact information, more...

A Guide for Evaluating the Performance of Chemical Protective Clothing
DHHS (NIOSH) Pub. No. 90-109
Outline of the selection process for CPC, including examples.

NIOSH Pocket Guide to Chemical Hazards (NPG)
Source of general industrial hygiene information on several hundred chemicals/classes for workers, employers, and occupational health professionals.

International Chemical Safety Cards (WHO/IPCS/ILO)
Summarizes essential health and safety information on chemicals for their use at the "shop floor" level by workers and employers in factories, agriculture, construction and other work places.

Acute Exposure Guideline Levels (AEGLs)
EPA web site describes dangers from exposure to airborne chemicals and recommends guideline levels for short-term exposures to airborne hazardous substances.
External Link: http://www.epa.gov/oppt/aegl/

Bloodborne Infectious Disease

Bloodborne Infectious Diseases Topic Page
Includes needlesticks & sharps, management and treatment guidelines, surveillance, engineering controls & personal protective equipment, links to other BBID sites, more...

How to Protect Yourself From Needlestick Injuries
DHHS (NIOSH) Pub. No. 2000-135
En Español
Q & A about preventing needlestick injury and infection.

World Trade Center Response

Protecting Workers at the World Trade Center Site - Response from the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
DHHS (NIOSH) Pub. No. 2002-143
Summary of the NIOSH effort to address workers' needs in the aftermath of the terrorist attacks.

Worker Survey Results

Use of Respiratory Protection Among Responders at the World Trade Center Site - New York City, September 2001
Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, September 11, 2002 / 51(Special Issue);6-8

Impact of September 11 Attacks on Workers in the Vicinity of the World Trade Center - New York City
Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, September 11, 2002 / 51(Special Issue);8-10

Air Sampling

Summary Report to the New York City Department of Health: NIOSH Air Sample Results for the World Trade Center Disaster Response
Findings for Asbestos, Carbon Monoxide, Particulates, Hydrocarbons, more...

Environmental Studies of the World Trade Center area after the September 11, 2001 Attack
External Link: http://pubs.usgs.gov/of/2001/ofr-01-0429/
Report describes the results of an interdisciplinary environmental characterization of the World Trade Center (WTC) area after September 11.

NIOSH Safety and Health Topic: World Trade Center Response

Funding

Funding for State Bioterrorism Preparedness and Response
Opportunities for integrating state occupational health activities into bioterrrorism planning.

Disaster Site Management

Personal Protective Equipment