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Strategies used by terrorists often involve materials that cause harm to people’s respiratory system, skin, or other internal organs, not only during the attack but also long after it is over. Many of these weapons fall under the category identified as CBRN (chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear) threats and are investigated by federal and international agencies as a separate set of dangers to the public (Janssen et al., 2018). These materials can produce different outcomes – short or long-lasting, massive or targeted, damaging or lethal.
One of the biological organisms known for its use as a terrorist weapon is anthrax. Otherwise called Bacillus anthracis, anthrax is a “toxin-producing microbe,” discussed as an example because of its previous history of use in bioterrorism (Janssen et al., 2018, p. 112). The prevention of attacks that use this agent is a challenging task that has not yet been thoroughly researched. Thus a prevention strategy may be difficult to outline if one bases one’s plan on isolated local actions. Situations in which anthrax is used as a weapon have to be prevented on all levels, starting with major efforts to end the proliferation of this pathogen, and effective communication between officials and the public.
Selected CBRN Agent Background
As was mentioned above, anthrax is classified as a biological weapon because it is based on a bacterium. Bacillus anthracis can affect animals and humans, and the outcomes of the infection are often lethal (Ruggiero, 2016). The spores produced by the bacteria do not make people infectious to one another, although this does not mean that anthrax is difficult to spread across communities. In order to weaponize this agent, one can produce anthrax powder – a substance that can quickly move through the air and reach a person’s skin and respiratory organs.
Moreover, this particular organism can negatively affect virtually any part of the body, thus making it versatile and deadly. For example, if anthrax comes into contact with someone’s skin, this person will develop lesions and ulcers. Although rarely fatal, these blisters can irritate the outer layer enough to infect the person’s blood (Moayeri, Leppla, Vrentas, Pomerantsev, & Liu, 2015). Moreover, an individual can inhale infectious spores, acquiring pulmonary anthrax. This form of the disease is much more dangerous than others and has the highest mortality rate, even when the afflicted person receives timely treatment (Moayeri et al., 2015).
This toxin was chosen because it has been previously used as a bio-weapon on numerous occasions. The most prominent example is the series of incidents which occurred in the US in 2001, possibly connected to the previous attacks of September 11 (Janssen et al., 2018). In the autumn of that year, multiple publications, as well as two government officials, received envelopes containing different forms of the bacteria, which led to several deaths and hospitalizations. Thus it is confirmed that anthrax is a known CBRN threat. Furthermore, there are scenarios in which attacks based on this agent were not prevented, thus providing a platform for both terrorists and law enforcement agencies to investigate further strategies.
However, some possible drawbacks of using anthrax as a weapon should be noted as well. While this agent is poisonous and deadly, criminals may have a difficult time trying to produce and transfer it. As it is a living organism, it requires significant time, effort, and knowledge to grow (Janssen et al., 2018). Therefore only skilled professionals can use this material as a weapon, limiting the possibility of terrorist acts. Also, production of weaponized anthrax may require sufficient financial support to purchase the bacteria, as well as protective gear and equipment for spore growing. Another barrier to using anthrax is its slow effect. In contrast to explosives and poisonous gasses, anthrax does not produce an instantaneous result, instead affecting people’s health over the course of days and weeks (Moayeri et al., 2015). If a terrorist group relies merely on the shock factor of each event, it may be unlikely to make use of biological weapons such as anthrax, rather than firearms or bombs.
Proposed Terrorist Scenario
As with other terrorist attacks, a scenario involving anthrax can happen in a crowded place with limited exits and points of entry. In many cities, a subway system may become an inviting target for such actions. However, because Denver, Colorado, does not have this type of transportation, other locations such as large malls and office buildings could be considered. While anthrax can be utilized to perform targeted strikes on particular individuals, it is also possible to spread the airborne version of the bacteria by using a powdered form to infect multiple people. For example, a container with anthrax powder could be sent to a publication, a government agency, or another public office.
It should be noted that anthrax may be difficult to obtain and cultivate for people who do not possess the necessary connections or knowledge. The spores are most easily produced at a special laboratory equipped with all the required materials. The infectious powder can be loaded into devices that disperse it into the air upon receiving a signal. The proposed situation may involve multiple persons releasing anthrax in different parts of the mall, for instance. This can also be done in such areas as a cinema to decrease people’s level of awareness.
The attack itself can be fast, but it is not as panic-inducing as an explosion. Nonetheless, it may produce discomfort and some stress if the powder or its container are noticed by people. Terrorists could enter a mall using small non-metal containers to avoid detection and place them in different parts of the mall in locations that are not highly visible, but close to crowds. Then these persons could open them and either leave the facility or remain behind, depending on their intentions and ideology. The spores will be released into the air and individuals will inhale or come into contact with them after some time.
Prevention Strategy
While this attack may not seem as severe as some other accidents, the high level of uncertainty and lack of preventative possibilities present a challenging case for law enforcement agencies. Thus the focus of government agencies should include strategies that address the proliferation of biological weapons. The problem that terrorists encounter with anthrax lies in its procurement. Therefore the government should monitor all possible channels through which this agent can be obtained. For instance, all scientists who work with anthrax for research purposes should be documented and routinely monitored to ensure that their materials and findings are secured inside their workplace facilities. Furthermore, their activities should be assessed as well in order to prevent collaboration with terrorist organizations. This preventative step may play a major role in stopping terrorist attacks with anthrax.
Communication with citizens is another important step in preventing such crimes. Enforcement agencies need to educate people about the dangers of terrorist attacks and provide information about how these substances are detected and overall awareness of suspicious persons and objects. This knowledge should be based on critical thinking and precise sets of procedures that people should follow – contacting authorities, relaying important findings, and acting cautiously (Ruggiero, 2016). While people will not become the main barriers against such events, they can help prevent them from happening.
Communication between officials is also essential, as such plans can be discovered in their preparatory stages (Ruggiero & Vos, 2015). The symptoms and overall pathology of anthrax has to be discussed among law enforcement agencies to help them understand how these bacteria can be detected. Then essential channels of reporting should be addressed to let local agencies know how they can contact people who can stop anthrax proliferation and production. If an attack is in its final stage, special contamination prevention teams should be trained to prevent or minimize damage to the public.
Conclusion
Biological weapons may become the weapon of choice for terrorists who are more focused on long-term effects and slow-acting agents. Therefore anthrax is not likely to be the most popular biological agent for many groups. Nevertheless, law enforcement agencies should be prepared to mitigate the effects of such attacks. More importantly, they should know how to prevent them. Stopping the proliferation of anthrax itself and knowledge of its production can be identified as one of the most effective prevention measures. This bio-weapon should be inaccessible to terrorist organizations. While it may be impossible to completely disrupt all forms of production or proliferation, efforts should be made to lower the risks of the public becoming infected. Educating citizens and law enforcement officials to communicate about suspicious practices and objects is also essential for preventing terrorist attacks from happening.
References
Janssen, L., Johnson, A. T., Johnson, J. S., Mansdorf, S. Z., Medici, O. R., Metzler, R. W.,… Szalajda J. V. (2018). CBRN respiratory protection handbook. Pittsburgh, PA: National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health.
Moayeri, M., Leppla, S. H., Vrentas, C., Pomerantsev, A. P., & Liu, S. (2015). Anthrax pathogenesis. Annual Review of Microbiology, 69, 185-208.
Ruggiero, A. (2016). Making communication strategy choices in a fast evolving crisis situation — Results from a table-top discussion on an anthrax scenario. Social Sciences, 5(2), 19.
Ruggiero, A., & Vos, M. (2015). Communication challenges in CBRN terrorism crises: Expert perceptions. Journal of Contingencies and Crisis Management, 23(3), 138-148.
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