CBRNe News July 2009
Product Watch
Med CM News
Human Genome Sciences received a second order for their Abthrax, anthrax infection ‘fighting,’ drug from the Department of Health and Human Services. These 45,000 doses, worth $151 million, will become part of the US’ Strategic National Stockpile.
Still no news
Despite it being an open secret in the CBRN bazaar – and quite an old open secret at that – there is still no official announcement of the award of the UK’s ‘Quick Don’ Police PPE to Remploy. The contract is worth, apparently, in the region of £15 million and was for the Swift Responder 3 design, yet nothing has been officially confirmed. Hopefully by the Autumn edition of the magazine we will have more details...
Spray on
RADeco announced that their MyClyns personal protection spray was awarded a GSA (General Services Administration) contract for their spray which provides “immediate personal protection from potentially harmful pathogens.” MyClyns is alcohol free and apparently provides a 99.99% reduction in over 60 ‘potentially dangerous pathogens.’
DSEi preview
Avon Protection got their PR act together and announced their line-up for the big UK defence show, DSEi, by announcing that they would be showing their ST53, FM53 and their two escape hoods, EH20 and NH15.
You never take me anywhere nice…
Thermo Fisher Scientific completed their 12th annual radiation monitoring course within the vicinity of the Chernobyl nuclear power plant. The weeks seminar and course was designed to be able to provide guidance on environmental, source, personnel and equipment monitoring in case of a radiological, or nuclear, emergency. A dozen attendees came from Bahrain, AUE and the Czech Republic to attend the course, which is a regular event and more information can be found here - www.thermo.com/rmp
The isotope went over the mountain…
Applied Isotope Technologies, Mountain Top Technologies and Duquesne University announced their Integrated Instrument Method System (IIMS) at the Joint CBRN Conference in Fort Leonard Wood.
This will be an “advanced method-integrated instrument platform that is universally capable of detecting a wide range of agents with the highest accuracy even for trace quantities of analytes in all five CBRNE categories.” The Air Force has awarded the Mass Spec based Isotope Dilution Automation system a ‘second phase’ award and the consortium feel confident that the system will be sensitive enough to detect trace elements of all CBRNE agents.
Is it a Bus? Is it an Ambulance? … No! It’s AmbuBus!
Mississippi joined other States by deploying First Line Technologies bus conversion kit in preparation for the hurricane system. 14 AmbuBus kits were delivered to six locations in the State allowing them to transform school and transuit buses into stretcher transport vehicles. This allows hospitals to rapidly evacuate hospitals in the path of the hurricane – and presumably could be used in any form of contaminated mass casualty event.
The Bats and the Bees
First it was going to be Bees, now Bats are going to unlock biological detection. North Carolina State University have used real bats as the inspiration for a ‘military surveillance drone’ that will be used to “monitor activities on the ground and detect biological weapons.” The UAV will use shape-memory alloy that is super-elastic in the joints, which means that the material will always return to its original position. Now, I don’t have a problem with this – all very clever I have no doubt – but WHAT DOES IT HAVE TO DO WITH BIOLOGICAL DETECTION?? Presumably it guaranteed that it would be picked up by the news wires – who all failed to ask the pertinent question of how something the size of a ‘real bat’ is going to carry a biological detector! Next!!
Abu Dhabi prepares for Z threat
American Science and Engineering announced a $8.6 million contract from Abu Dhabi customs for multiple Z Portal z-ray screening systems for vehicle scanning. The Z Portal System will have three Z Backscatter imaging modules for left, right and top-down imaging of the target with a minimum of time involved.
Goetzloff get NFPA
Goetzloff’s Eurolite GTX protective suit has passed NFPA 1992 (2005 edition) certification and is available via their partners, Athena, in the US. The suit comes in four sizes and six colours.
Oral pleasure
Following on from the article in CBRNe World Autumn 2007, comes another product devoted to internal radiation poisoning. Researchers from Boston University School of Medicine have discovered new compounds called the EUK-400 series which can be taken orally to prevent radiation induced injuries to kidleys, lungs, skin, intestinal tract and brain. Apparently these are novel synthetic antioxidants the protect the tissues against free radicals and can be taken post-exposure.
July is clearly the month for radiation protection, as Advanced Therapeutics announced that their Fibrinoplate-S had shown efficacy in reducing bleeding from extreme doses of radiation. Previously the only solution to low concentration of platelets was a platelet transfusion, but Fibrinoplate-S which is a formulation of albumin spheres coated with a coagulation factor mimics the action of activated platelets – with no need to match blood types.
Printer problems?
Chemical detector paper might soon be coming straight from your printer if researchers from McMaster University in Ontario have anything to do with it. Working with the Sentinel Bioactive Paper Network and Fujifilm Dimatix Materials Printer they have managed to print AChE sensitive paper.
The process uses formulating common printer ink with biocompatible silica nanoparticles and an enzyme ink, which changes colour dependent on the concentration of the sample. Their plan is to be able to provide a rapid and inexpensive way of producing OP detector paper, but am I the only one thinking about paint and contamination detection??
Through the looking glass
Kirintec, a new company composed of old hands, have announced the release of their Rebus blast suppression blanket with jammer included – called Rebus. Rebus has a layer of fabric that will screen out radio signals, and a low powered jammer that can prevent the device from being remotely detonated, but not powerful enough to interfere with first responder or public communication networks. The device is embedded within the blanket and is claimed to offer complete blocking of signals within the 20Mhz-2.4GHz range.
Duw, there’s gassy…
Medical Gas Solutions, part of Wales’ biggest ever trade mission to Washington DC (the mind boggles), announced that Nasa were interested in their products after a visit from the astronaut ‘Doc’ Horowitz. Medical Gas Solutions had attracted them with their long duration oxygen cylinders, that are able to double the capacity, but reduce the weight of the cylinder by 70%. The cylinders are to be used for mass casualty events, where a large number of non-ambulant victims might have respiratory problems.
All over me like a cheap suit!
SWARM, the Stand Off Warning Against Radiological Materials, Phase II has been awarded by the US DHS to Raytheon Integrated Defense Systems. The contract, managed by DNDO under their Exploratory Research in Nuclear Detection, is worth $1.176 million and is going to be involved in modeling the number and types of sensors necessary to detect “nuclear terrorism.” I wonder whether DRDC’s stand off radiation detector (see CBRNe World Winter 2006) will be one of them.
Blue stuff on the red stuff by the mechanical stuff
Qinetiq, previously known as Foster Miller, have shown the applicability of using UGVs in a range of fire fighting roles to a range of London agencies, including the Fire Service. This is part of an Initiative funded by local and national transport agencies whereby Qinetiq would deploy with their UGVs to tackle specialist blazes – such as acetylene.
All quite nice, but not really germane to CBRN? If we can classify specialist blazes as CBRN or Hazmat, and the UGVs are then used to deploy decon foam the applicability becomes clear. Like all these toys, once they are in the field they start to be used for tasks beyond their original remit – and gain greater currency…
Watch it George, he’s got a simulator!
Argon electronics announced that they had delivered their first LCD3.2e SIMS to UK police forces. The Simulator, which mimics in look and feel Smiths LCD 3.2, allows the Police to use a range of safe simulated scenarios to train police officers in the use of the real detector. LCD-SIM provides remote control features for CBRN instructors and allows them to record operator errors for the after action review. LCD-SIM joins the CAMSIM and ECAMSIM that the police already use.
Trailer track
Building Protection Systems Inc (BPSI), have launched their new ‘mobile trailer CBRN detection system:’ the Mobile Sentry One. Those who know nothing about CBRN would have been excited about the fact that the system has a zero false alarm rate, which Forbes magazine gushed, is ‘an unheard of feat in the detection industry.’ Sadly the press release doesn’t say what these miracle items are, as BPSI are mainly manufacturers of building Colpro systems. Frankly the whole press release is fuzzy as to what the purpose of the trailer is, what the Conops are, what the unique selling points are etc. CBRNe World has put a request in for more information…
Harwell Sekur
Aero Sekur, a specialist aerospace and defence manaufacture, with the odd digit in a CBRN pie (respirators, suits, colpro etc), announced that they had expanded their UK presence with an office at the Harwell Science and Innovation Campus.
Danbury Certified
Smiths Detection’s Danbury site becomes its tenth location to receive ISO 9001:2008 certification for goods of the highest quality.
Personnel Moves
Chris Abbott, ex-EDS and ex-RAF, has made a new home with British company Detica, who are hoping to be a major systems integrator in CBRN.
Lt. Cmdr. Kevin Kelley, OIC Medical Dept, CBIRF, retired after 33 years in the Services. Kelley was well know to British and Canadian medical officers for integrating tactical combat casualty care courses with live agent training – which is used to great effect at DRDC Suffield.
Kenneth A. Myers III has been named as the new director of DTRA.
1st July was the start of the new membership year for the US’ NBC Industry Group. Those interested in joining, or owe dues, should get in touch via http://www.nbcindustrygroup.com/
Threat watch
Parklife
Russia Today drew attention to the fact that the pre-1940 testing ground for Soviet chemical and biological weapons was cleaned to a ‘rudimentary’ level when the sight was closed and shipped East in the ‘1940s.’ Thousands of people visit what is now Kuzminski park, and the Institute for Ecology and Evolution is concerned that the clean up cost could run into billions.
Escape to the Pentagon
PFPA announced that they did a OPEVAL of their bio detectors using a powder stimulant. The release originated in the South Parking lot and would take place over a five hour period. As well as the detection the areas decon skills were also tested – in all 13 military and civilian agencies were involved. This was the third in a series of tests that the Pentagon has run, and involved a Huey helicopter to examine the effects of rotor wash on the powder (My guess is that it showed that it went everywhere…). CBRNe World is on the case trying to find out more information from the PFPA press office.
Philippines raise their game
The Philippines has long been a home of conventional terror attacks, but clearly non-conventional ones are becoming more of a threat, judging from the recent exercise. A rescue exercise is held every two years under the auspices of the Manila International Airport Authority, and this year it was the turn of CBRN to come under the microscope. Approximately half a dozen different civil and military agencies were involved in an exercise which utilized a chemical attack inside an aircraft – chlorine inside a Fokker F-27. Canada has supported CBRN traininging via the DFAIT and the US, via the Embassy, have also been involved in hazmat training. Clearly there is going to be a growing CBRNE concern in the region…
This was reflected in the ASEAN (Association of South East Asian Nations) meeting later in July in Thailand, where it urged more concrete cooperation of the fight against terrorism and future threats such as CBRN.
Fighting City Hall…
The New York Police Department is looking to be facing leaner times as budgets shrink, reported the NY Times, with fewer police officers – 34,400, 1,600 less than a decade ago – layoffs among civilians and less money coming from City Hall. The Commissioner has been fighting Congress for the $40 million Securing the Cities grant (which includes radiation detectors), and while it has been passed in the House of Representatives it is still ‘unresolved in the Senate.’
Financially healthy…
The GAO announced that they were concerned that the Health and Human Services (HHS) departmenthad not identified purchasing risks in the medical countermeasures project, Project BioShield. HHS had not involved itself in comprehensive risk assessment statement to the nine contractors already part of BioShield. HHS still has $3.6 billion to spend in their ‘Reserve Fund’ for Project BioShield… Do you hear that Europe? $3.6 billion in their Reserve Fund! The gap between the EU and US in medical countermeasures can no longer be measured in merely ‘blue water’, it approaches light years…
Hmmmmm
Russia’s Special Presidential Representative for the Middle East, and deputy Foreign Minister, Alexander Saltanov, visited Syria to talk about a Middle East summit in Moscow and helping to stabilize the region. Among the usual strategic common sense was the desire that both states have that there should be no proliferation of Weapons of Mass Destruction in the region. While I have no complaints of Russia in this theatre the same cannot be said of Syria, who have still yet to explain the whole “It wasn’t really a Nuclear Reactor… Honest” that Israel destroyed in September last year.
North Korea reaches new low?
North Korean defector, Im Chun-Yong, has claimed that North Korea’s CBW development sites have been using mentally and physically handicapped children to test, and develop, their offensive capability on. Information that he has newly released through Al Jazeera states that as well as their predilection for using political prisoners for the same purpose, the public health system, despite being a Communist Wonderland of Plenty, is not able to deal with these individuals who make ‘the ultimate sacrifice’ for the State. Im is worried that the West is too focused on DPRKs nuclear capability, rather than its CBW one…
Well that’s good…
A year after Bruce Ivins killed himself, the Justice Department is on the verge of closing the case. There is still a great deal of skepticism amongst scientific individuals that Dr Ivins was indeed the culprit, as well as one of the victims, Senate Judiciary Chairman Patrick Leahy, yet the longer the Justice department keeps the case open the more it will seem that it doesn’t trust the FBIs evidence. In all honesty this case is unlikely to ever be solved to everyone’s satisfaction, and we all have to be prepared for this case to be pored over by cranks seeking some link to Princess Diana’s death or the Kennedy assassination for years to come.
Quinquereme of polonium…
Saudia Arabia announced that their national emergency plan for radiological incidents is ready, stated Abdulrahman Alarfaj, from the Atomic Energy Research Institute in Riyadh. He went on to state, in the Khaleej Times, that the Kingdom was well placed to manage any radiological attack with 23 different bodies ready to cooperate. If Saudia Arabia really can get 23 different agencies to cooperate then they have some major lessons for the rest of the world!
Surging main
The editor is always delighted whenever other magazines cover CBRN in an in-depth way, and as such would like to recommend this article from the latest edition of Medical Decision Making - http://mdm.sagepub.com/cgi/reprint/29/4/424. This examines the Cities Readiness Initiative, CDC’s bio-readiness program, which was devised to minimize hospital surge in an anthrax attack. While the study found that 86& of exposed individuals would be protected from two days after exposure, it found that as the hospitalizations increased to an unsustainable level.
One down…
The Maradykovsky CWA destruction plant in the Kirov region has destroyed its first tonne of Sarin. The facility now only has another 231 tonnes to destroy! Maradykovsky is the third facility that is online and is planning to start destroying Soman in 2010. That only leaves two years for Russia to fulfill it’s liabilities and destroy all its stocks by 2012. The chances of this being met are slim at best…
DoD gets a ‘Must try harder’ from the GAO
The US watchdog, the Government Accountability Office, slated the interoperability of various military agencies in responding to civil CBRN incidents. “'DoD has had operational plans in place and revises these plans regularly.
However, until the Integrated Planning System and its associated plans are complete, DoD's plans and those of other federal and state entities will not be integrated, and it will remain unclear whether DoD's [response forces] will address potential gaps in capabilities.” The GAO also raised doubts about whether the Military would be able to provide forces in an ‘acceptable’ timeframe and whether these forces were actually what the States need. Some of these issues should come as no real shock, while some units, like CBIRF, are groomed for their fast notice to move, the military are not an emergency responder, should not be thought of as one and have missions other than the homeland.
Interesting…
A Slovakian Court yesterday set free the two radiological smugglers that they had caught in 2007, after sentencing them to time served. The Court determined that the 500g of uranium they were dealing was not ‘usable’ for a RDD. What is the message here? That the vast majority of people that deal in radiological material really don’t know what they are doing? That if you smuggle radiological rubbish you only get 20 months prison, and the reward may well outweigh the risk? Without wanting to get into a moral maze of how long they should be in prison, surely the novelty of any RDD is going to be enough to get you, and your organisation, in newspapers from Hong Kong to Hounslow?
Whether the attack does any serious damage will be secondary to the shock factor (look at the wake of the chlorine bombs), and as such a more severe sentence is needed? This fills me with vague disquiet.
Please forward any items for consideration in this section to the editor, Gwyn Winfield This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it