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Defending the U.S. Air Transportation System Against Chemical and Biological Threats (2006) / Chapter Skim
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Executive Summary
Pages 1-4

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From page 1...
... However, the use of the nerve agent sarin in terminals to destinations around the world means that those 1995 to attack the Tokyo subway system, the use of the U.S. who become infected with communicable diseases could mail in 2001 to distribute letters containing anthrax spores, spread the diseases widely in a short time, a situation that and the discovery in 2004 of the biological toxin ricin in was demonstrated in 2003 in the case of the severe acute U.S.
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From page 2...
... air trans- cific facilities, and explore the dispersal of chemical/bioportation system against chemical/biological attacks. logical simulants under various release scenarios; · Create guidance to help air transportation facilities Plausible scenarios for terrorist chemical/biological at- develop a threat defense strategy; and tacks include point releases of plumes of threat agents in · Determine unique air transportation requirements various locations in a terminal or on air transportation ve- for dealing with chemical/biological threats and coordihicles, or releases directly into the air-handling systems of nate closely with other agencies that are active in the these spaces.
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From page 3...
... sources or expertise to develop detection and identification The lengthy response time of such a "detect and react" systems for chemical/biological agents. However, TSA's approach might make it impractical for mitigating the imme diate impacts of slow-acting agent attack in the air transpor tation environment (where passenger residence times are about 1 hour)
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From page 4...
... Thus, it assay-based chemical/biological agent detection and may be prudent to ensure that these critical nodes have an identification technologies, the Transportation Security independent air supply and are kept at a positive pressure Administration should pursue a baseline defensive strat- with respect to surrounding areas. egy against chemical/biological attacks that does not de- To combat attacks with slow-acting agents, TSA should pend solely on the technological detection of threat agents study the feasibility of promoting the use of "clean air" systo initiate action.
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Key Terms

  • threat agents
  • transportation security
  • biological agents
  • defensive strategy
  • air spaces

  • transportation spaces
  • transportation environment
  • transportation requirements
  • biological attacks
  • terrorist attack

  • various release
  • unique characteristics
  • release scenarios
  • visual surveillance
  • attacks involving

  • response time
  • contingency plans
  • air air
  • air cleaning
  • contaminated air

  • air treatment
  • air filtra
  • air space
  • independent air
  • air supply

  • unique air
  • continuous air
  • help air
  • improved air
  • air traffic


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