What are examples of a biological agent?
Biological agents are widely found in the natural environment and as a result found in many work sectors. They include bacteria, viruses, fungi (including yeasts and moulds) and internal human parasites (endoparasites). The majority of these agents are harmless however some may have potential to cause ill health.
What are the 3 categories of biological agents?
The United States Center for Disease Control (CDC) has divided the agents which can be used as biological weapons into three categories, Category A, B, and C. Though these agents are rarely seen in the United States, we must prepare for them because they pose the greatest risk to our national security.
What are the four types of biological weapons?
Biological weapons are a subset of a larger class of weapons referred to as weapons of mass destruction (WMD), which also includes chemical, nuclear, and radiological weapons….Category A agents include the following:
- anthrax.
- botulism.
- plague.
- tularemia.
- smallpox.
- viral hemorrhagic fevers.
Is anthrax a biological agent?
Anthrax as a weapon Biological agents are germs that can sicken or kill people, livestock, or crops. Anthrax is one of the most likely agents to be used because: Anthrax spores are easily found in nature, can be produced in a lab, and can last for a long time in the environment.
What are chemical and biological agents?
Chemical agents are hazardous substances that usually would make you sick immediately. Examples of chemical agents include mustard gas, cyanide, and sarin. Biological agents are usually viruses or bacteria which may take several days to make you sick once you are infected.
How many categories are there of biological agents?
Regulatory. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) breaks biological agents into three categories: Category A, Category B, and Category C.
What are potentially hazardous biological agents?
Potentially Hazardous Biological Agents Rules for use of microorganisms (including bacteria, viruses, viroids, prions, rickettsia, fungi and parasites), recombinant DNA technologies or human or animal fresh/frozen tissues, blood, or body fluids.
Why is anthrax a bioweapon?
Who causes bioterrorism?
Bioterrorist attacks could be caused by virtually any pathogenic microorganism. However micro organisms (like virus, bacteria, fungi or toxins) to be effective as a bioterrorist agent should consistently produce a given effect, death or disease, at low concentrations.
What is a chemical injury agent?
Chemical injuries are commonly encountered following exposure to acids and alkali, including hydrofluoric acid (HF), formic acid, anhydrous ammonia, cement, and phenol. Other specific chemical agents that cause chemical burns include white phosphorus, elemental metals, nitrates, hydrocarbons, and tar.
What are biological agents?
What are Biological Agents? Biological agents are widely found in the natural environment and as a result found in many work sectors. They include bacteria, viruses, fungi (including yeasts and moulds) and internal human parasites (endoparasites). The majority of these agents are harmless however some may have potential to cause ill health.
What is exposure to biological agents in the workplace?
In the workplace, exposure to biological agents can be: intentional, whereby the employee works directly with them, for example, in a laboratory or research facility, or
Can a biological agent be weaponized?
In some forms, biological agents can also be weaponized for use in bioterrorism or other crimes. This page provides a listing of the Safety and Health Topics pages OSHA maintains for various biological agents and toxins.
What are the different types of environmental injuries?
Intoxication: This is due to a chemical (and toxin) exposure. Infection: This is due to a live biological agent exposure. Irradiation: This is due to ionising radiation exposure. Injuries: This is due to exposure to trauma or climatic stress (heat) either in isolation or as a combined injury(CBRN and trauma).