CBRNe December 2017

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CBRNe WORLD
world
December 2017
www.cbrneworld.com
VOLUME 12 ISSUE 6
DECEMBER 2017
$15
Everything is a poison Be not another Midwife of great things

The synthetic opioid epidemic BW in Putin's Russia CWC and BTWC milestones
Thwarting enemy attacks
Securing perimeters
Neutralizing emerging threats
Stopping drones
Protecting our troops
battelle.org/cbrne-world
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This device is not, and may not be, offered for sale or lease, or sold or leased, until authorization is obtained.
CBRNe December 2017 vPress:CBRNe December 2017 vPress 02/01/2018 10:01 Page 1
Leader
A
s has become traditional, the December Leader tends
to be a year in review. It gets repetitive, admittedly
on an annual basis, to say that there has not been a
CBRN year like it… but here we are again saying just that
in the US, there doesn’t seem to be anything that can
stop the fentanyl (and other opioid) epidemic. This is not
just a north American problem, albeit that they currently
have the worst of it. But with fentanyl appearing in the
for 2017! All developments have been towards an increase UK and Europe (since 2017 those two have had to
in the use of CBR substances, and while there is more of change their relationship status to ‘it’s complicated’) this
the ‘same old’ there is some new as well. is going to be something that will plague first
The new elements are to do with changes on the global responders. Unlike previous trends in narcotics this one
scale, rather than down in the CBRN weeds. The new US is important due to the toxicity of the agent, and the fact
president has certainly decided to do things differently, that it can be bought in bulk, pure form from pharma
especially where North Korea (DPRK) is concerned. companies in Asia and delivered to your door. The
Despite bold assertions that the North’s nuclear ambitions democratisation of narcotics manufacture might be good
were “not going to happen”, 2017 was the year that DPRK for junkies, but it is going to be very bad for first
went thermonuclear. President Trump inherited a Korean responders who will have to handle these substances.
policy that had failed and, despite plenty of bluster, has While CRISPR hasn’t delivered the bio-apocalypse yet
been unable to improve on it in 12 months. ‘Little Rocket (or any time soon), if the concerns of Professor Zilinskas
Man’ might look good on paper (albeit the electronic are anything to go by we may well be forced to re-
variety), but the goading does not seem to have had any examine Russia’s interest in BWA. The Biological and
obvious positive effect. For a period of a few weeks we Toxin Weapons Convention has long been criticised for
seemed closer to the use of nuclear weapons than at any not having its fingers in any bio-dyke holes, but if his
time since the 1962 Cuban missile crisis. claims have any accuracy to them, it will be hard to see
Syria decided to test the president early in his regime what is the point of that organisation. Whether it is on
with another attack involving sarin, and found a more the geo-political scale, or the CBRN scale there would
combative POTUS (perhaps fortified by delicious seem to be a need for greater scrutiny of Russian plans
chocolate cake) who was happy to scatter cruise missiles than there has been for 30 years, and, since measures
liberally around Syrian airbases. In terms of tactical require counter-measures, any Nato plans to counter
effect the attack had little impact, but on the political them. This is not a swift proposition as the education
stage it does seem to have outlined to Assad that there is and hiring (or hiring and education) of a generation of
a new incumbent in the White House. There has been no analysts cannot be done in a few short years.
use of organophosphate since, but the same was true So, as 2017 has certainly been a landmark year, what
post-Ghouta, and we will have to see what 2018 brings. of 2018? Considering Trump’s unilateralism on things like
While the conflict in Syria would seem to be coming the Paris Climate Accord and the matter of Jerusalem, it
to some form of resolution, it’s fairly unlikely that anyone would seem likely that there will be a similar lurch over
other than mid to low level sacrificial lambs will be offered the Iran nuclear deal framework. At the time of writing
up for previous chemical weapon agent attacks. After a there are riots in north east Iran and no doubt the
closed security council meeting, Russia’s ambassador to Rouhani regime will want to look especially strong in
the UN stated that the Joint Investigative Mechanism their wake, so a misjudged Little Rocket Man type of tweet
(JIM) had “discredited itself completely” and that Russia could be the spark that sets off a major conflagration.
would work to find a new mechanism capable of correctly It would also be naïve to assume that North Korea
identifying the individuals behind various attacks. will stay quiet in 2018, and with the personalities of Kim
Considering that the JIM was mainly involved in and Trump it’s anyone’s guess who would start that ball
pointing the finger at the Assad regime for the most rolling. Conflict seems very likely; let’s just hope it is no
egregious attacks, the correct individuals are probably not more than a war of words. As for the Levant, there is still
members of the ruling regime. The drive for action post- the belief that some of the chemical weapons have been
Ghouta has well and truly evaporated and it is unlikely spirited away for future use, and it will also be difficult
that anything will replace it. Syria is now shaping up as a to judge which side will use them and against whom.
worrying case study for the OPCW crowning achievement The easiest of all predictions for 2018 is that when I sit
now has more the air of a pyrrhic victory. down to write this column in 12 months’ time, we will
Despite the formation of a National Opioid Taskforce have lived through another poster year for CBRN!
CBRNe South America, UCA, Buenos Aires, Argentina, 7 Mar 2018 www.cbrneworld.com/southamerica2018
www.cbrneworld.com December 2017 CBRNe WORLD 1

Contents 1-7
Leader
31-34
Some Bad Elements:
Contents Santa Ana and their
News fentanyl problem
Better one problem…

Dr Mehmet Güllüoglu, Our game:
president of AFAD on their Prof. Ray Zilinskas on
CBRN defence capability Russia’s new bio problem
8-14 35-37
A good friend: Preparing for the 4th:
LTC. Jorge Barrera on their John Hart and Ralph Trapp
preparations for the G20 on the OPCW
15-19 41-43
Time in a bottle: Full throttle:
Casey Collins, from JTF CS, A review of the 10th Annual
on the difference in a decade CBRNe Convergence
20-24 44-47
Looking for my china girl:
Christina Baxter on the Hollowed out:
challenges of fentanyl Jeff Bigongiari on the
detection damage to HHS and CDC
25-30
Published by Falcon Communications Limited
48-50
Contact Details:
Editor Business Marcoms For Sales: CBRNe World
Gwyn Winfield Development Manager +1 443 605 2583 Suite 26, Basepoint,
Manager Zoe Rutherford david.levitt@cbrneworld.com 1 Winnall Valley Road,
Business James Ross Winchester, Hampshire
+44 (0)1962 832 534
Development Sub Editor SO23 0LD, UK
Director Business james.ross@cbrneworld.co.uk
Jenny Walton
David Levitt Development
Executives Correspondents For Editorial: Web: www.cbrneworld.com
Art Director Anna Dziaczkowska Jeffrey Bigongiari +44 (0)1962 832 532 Twitter: @cbrneworld
Tony Denton Brian O’Shea gwyn.winfield@cbrneworld.com LinkedIn: cbrneworld
2 CBRNe WORLD December 2017 www.cbrneworld.com

51-53
Advertiser Index
Airboss Defense 57
Now wash your hands: Argon Electronics 11

Mike Logan, et al,
on mass decon guidance Battelle IFC
BioFire Defense OBC
Bruker 9
CBRNe Convergence 2018 22

Biological matters:
John Hart and the BTWC CBRNe South America 38-40
54-55 Cristanini
Endeavor Robotics
17
29
E-N-G Mobile Systems 57

Lab is all you need:
Trends in mobile
Federal Resources 19 & IBC
laboratory construction
56-58 Flir
Hotzone Solutions
13
27
Intelligence Sec 49
NBC Sys 37
Capability Profiles
59-62
Proengin 7
CBRNe World (ISSN No: 2040 - 2724, USPS No: 000 -

138) is published bi-monthly in February, April, June,
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prohibited. Any correspondence should be addressed to The Editor, CBRNe World. We acknowledge the assistance
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from the CBRNe World archive. ©Falcon Communication Ltd 2017.
Front cover image by Rhys Wootton

CBRNews
GLOBAL CBRN THREATS AND ACTIVITY
Our threat overview picture (above), shows a selection of incidents in the last two months that have been added
to our online news feed: www.cbrneworld.com/news. Twitter - @cbrneworld and @chembiotroll
THREAT WATCH Earlier in the year the chain had been well as contaminating the boy’s IV tubes
Louisiana Boom in trouble after 130 people in Virginia whilst in hospital with what is believed to
A Louisiana soldier was indicted stated they’d got sick after eating be either faeces or sink cleaner.
Monday for manufacturing and there. A Dallas Chipotle had also
detonating a “highly toxic” chemical decided to offer ‘rat surprise’ to its Demon drink
weapon, federal authorities said. Ryan customers when rats started falling Counterfeit whiskey containing
Keith Taylor, 24, allegedly used the from the ceiling. methanol has poisoned 22 people in
weapon, which emitted chlorine gas, on the Guangdong province in southern
April 12 in the Kisatchie National Forest Greeks bearing gifts China. The bottles carried labels
east of Fort Polk, where he was An anarchist group calling themselves claiming the whiskey was produced by
stationed, the indictment says. After Black and Green Arsonists claim they the Yantai Weiyade Wine Company in
Taylor detonated the weapon, have taken popular food and drink Penglai, which has since denied making
responding emergency personnel items off the shelves of super markets, the toxic beverages, stating that
suffered chemical exposure and were and that they will return them somone had counterfeited their brand.
treated at the Fort Polk hospital. A poisoned. The group are claiming to The poor individuals that imbibed this
search of Taylor’s home revealed have adulterated 1.5L Coca Cola and particular batch suffered from vomiting,
“suspicious devices and ordnance,” Coca Cola Light, luncheon meat and dizziness and visual impairment with 4
including an improvised explosive that milk with hydrochloric acid and have of those affected requiring extended
was deactivated by a hazardous posted photos of them doing so on ICU stays [Sounds like the CBRNe World
materials team. anarchist website Indymedia. office party… Ed.].
Revenge of Chipotle Mummy issues Anarchist granny

Chipotle managed to go an entire five A mother in London has been has been The FBI arrested a 70-year-old woman
months without poisoning its jailed for poisoning her son in what she earlier this month after they were
customers, a streak which has now claims was an attempt to avoid going to alerted to a dangerous substance at
ended with the news of customers Syria with her jihadi husband. The 27- her retirement village property. Upon
suffering vomiting and diarrhoea after year old woman gave her son anti- entering her home they discovered a
frequenting an LA branch of the chain. psychotic drugs on repeated occasions as bottle labelled “Ricin. Tests confirmed

the bottle did indeed contain the more than 65,000lbs (29,484kg) of the past five years, with the latest test
deadly substance. The resident stated chemicals as well as more than reportedly taking place in December
she had an interest in plant-based 17,000lbs (7,711kg) of particulate 2017, deep in China’s western desert
poisons and had researched how to matter released as a result of region. The weapon, which according to
make them. It turns out that the old Hurricane Harvey. Chinese media will be able to hit
dear wanted to use it on herself but targets “anywhere in the world”, is
first decided to test the potency of her Radioactive Illinois scheduled to enter the country’s
concoction on other residents of the Radioactive waste continues to pour arsenal in 2018.
retirement village!! from Exelon’s Illinois nuclear power
plants more than a decade after the
Court in session! discovery of chronic leaks, according to PRODuCT WATCH
After his 20-year sentence for war an investigation by a government REDS
crimes was upheld, former general watchdog group. These led to national Since the US invaded Iraq at the turn
Slobodan Praljak, produced a bottle outrage, a $1.2m government of the century Raytheon has been
from his pocket, downed the contents settlement and a company vow to guard developing a sensor that can detect
then declared he had just committed against future accidents, Since 2007, explosive materials hidden in a car,
suicide. All in front of a packed there have been at least 35 reported packed in a bag or on a person. The
courtroom at The Hague. Following leaks, spills or other accidental releases result is a new radio frequency sensor
post mortem investigation it has been in Illinois of water contaminated with that identifies explosives by their
released that the former had traces of radioactive tritium, a by-product of chemical composition. REDS, aka
potassium cyanide in his blood. The nuclear power production and a Raytheon’s explosive detection system,
next question will be how he managed carcinogen at high levels. is a scalable system, from a handheld
to smuggle the substance into the sensor the size of a laptop to a full
court in the first place. Paramedic WLTM paramedic size checkpoint that can scan
An Ohio firefighter/paramedic found pedestrians and vehicles as they pass.
Remnants of War himself in need of a paramedic’s It is still experimental, but Raytheon
Cambodia ranks high among the nations attention when he overdosed while has a contract to demo it with the joint
most littered with unexploded ordnance. driving an overdose victim to hospital. improvised-threat defeat organisation.
In Svay Rieng province alone chemical Due to accidental exposure to an
bombs, some containing mustard gas, opioid, most likely fentanyl, the first Readiness and Response in BC
have been found in 29 locations. More paramedic became unwell while behind D4H Technologies is the successful
than 100 villagers have sought medical the wheel, but thanks to his partner’s bidder for the British Columbia search
treatment for suspected exposure to quick thinking he was pulled over in an and rescue data management system.
chemical bombs at Svay Rieng intersection and treated with Narcan. D4H specialises in cloud-based
provincial hospital over the past couple As part of this incident six more solutions for the management of
of months. Now, following a request for firefighters had to be given emergency response teams, allowing
assistance from the Cambodian decontamination showers at the emergency response organisations to
government, the Organisation for the hospital. "It was determined that we manage their incidents, personnel and
Prohibition of Chemical Weapons needed to ramp up our equipment, and submit the required
(OPCW) is set to visit the country to decontamination process," said a fire reporting to provincial and federal
assist with their removal. department spokesperson. governments. To date, D4H software
has been deployed in over 16 countries
Ebola Prediction Ruthenium in the air including provincial, state, and national
A new study, published in the online In late September levels of ruthenium- implementations.
journal Scientific Reports, has found a 106 were detected in the atmosphere
time correlation between deforestation near the Urals at 986 times the norm. RanidSOLO shot first
and the onset of Ebola. Analysis of 27 At that time Russia denied there had Environics has recently released its
outbreak sites for the period 2001- been any leaks, but come late newest device - RanidSOLO - a
2014, found that Ebola was November they changed their tune and spectrometric radiation source locator for
significantly more likely to emerge in admitted the levels were accurate RanidPro200. RanidSOLO is the first
areas with surrounding forest loss, although they would not give any automated gamma radiation localiser
typically two years after the damage is details as to how this came to be. At within the backpack radiation detector
done. John Fa, a professor at present the main suspect is Mayak, a (BRD) category that provides the
Manchester Metropolitan University and facility that reprocesses spent nuclear “missing link” of radiation source
one of the authors of the report, hopes fuel. Mayak issued a denial recently localisation in field operations. Its high
that the findings will be used to create stating: “The contamination of the precision automated method can
an early warning system in high risk atmosphere with ruthenium-106 calculate the estimated location direction
areas so that Ebola can be detected isotope registered by Rosgidromet of one or multiple radiation sources in as
and stopped before it spreads. (Russia’s federal service for little as approximately 12 seconds.
hydrometeorology and environmental
Toxic Texas monitoring) is not linked to the activity Arktis named under $8.2bn contract
Families in and around Crosby, Texas, of Mayak.” Arktis Detection Systems has been
are concerned about long term health named as a recipient of the US
effects from breathing in smoke China’s new nuke Department of Defense’s (DoD) joint
produced by the Arkema chemical China has unveiled the latest weapon in enterprise-research, development,
plant fires which occurred during its nuclear arsenal, the Donfeng-41. acquisition, and production/
Hurricane Harvey. The Arkema facility Reported to be capable of reaching procurement (JE-RDAP) contract award
makes and stores organic peroxides distances of 12,000km (7,4567miles) vehicle. Under this $8.2bn, multi-vendor
and volatile chemicals used in plastic it has a speed of Mach 10 and can contract, Arktis will support the US
manufacturing, among other things. Air carry up to 10 nuclear warheads. China army’s joint program executive office for
emissions reports filed by Arkema list has tested the weapon eight times in chemical and biological defense (JPEO-

CBD) through research and FLIR unveils the identiFINDER R440 at Hotzone Solutions Group now wants to
development. “As the Arktis team Convergence focus on its core activities: instruction,
enhances its presence in the US to help In October 2017 Flir announced the consulting services and supply of
improve national security, the JE-RDAP latest model in its handheld integrated systems (mobile
contract enables our team to strengthen radioisotope detector and identifier laboratories, CBRN risk assessment
our commitment to the US army, as well range, the R440, which was unveiled in and categorisation kits).
as with other branches of the military Indianapolis at CBRNe Convergence in
and federal civilian agencies,” said Dr November. Weighing less than 1.5kg The ORCA from Isovac
Rico Chandra, ceo of Arktis. (3.31lbs), the FLIR identiFINDER R440 Isovac Products, LLC, has released the
is the industry’s smallest and lightest latest product in its portable patient
3M completes acquisition of Scott Safety radioisotope identification device (RIID) isolation unit (PIU) range. The
3M has completed its acquisition of with a 5.08cm x 5.08cm (2in x 2in) operational rescue containment
Scott Safety from Johnson Controls for sodium iodide detector. With 3.5 times apparatus (ORCA) has been designed
a total enterprise value of $2bn. Scott more sensitivity than similarly sized to prevent chemical and particulate
Safety is a premier manufacturer of RIIDs, responders can detect radiation (biological and radiological) cross
innovative products, including self from greater distances and behind contamination between an enclosed
contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) heavier shielding. Delivering 10% contaminated patient and the external
systems, gas and flame detection better resolution than other products in environment during evacuation and
instruments, and other safety devices the category, the FLIR identiFINDER transportation. Use of the ORCA-
that complement 3M’s personal safety R440 provides greater accuracy with 2016CN allows safe transport of
portfolio. 3M’s personal safety division fewer false alarms. Due to its extended contaminated patients who have been
provides respiratory, hearing, and fall energy range, the identiFINDER R440 medically stabilised, while protecting
protection solutions that help improve detects gamma radiation and can marine craft and cutter crews,
the safety and health of workers. indicate the presence of neutrons aircrews, passengers, auxiliary care
found in particular nuclear materials. providers, and transport assets.
Federal Resources provides SmartRayVision
army EOD CT checkpoint screening Decon partnership
The US army awarded its field portable Analogic Corporation has announced First Line Technology and Federal
radiographic system purchase to that the US Transportation Security Resources have announced a strategic
Federal Resources for 140 Administration (TSA) has awarded it a partnership to provide a greater
SmartRayVision extreme systems made base contract valued at approximately selection of best-in-class
by SharpLogixx, LLC in Green Bay, $4m for a 12 month development decontamination and personal cooling
Wisconsin. A portable x-ray system phase and 24 months of prototype technologies to government and
used to view and verify the contents of warranty, with options for additional commercial customers. Federal
suspicious items that may be ConneCT™ prototypes and warranty for Resources will help First Line Technology
improvised explosive devices (IED) was a period of 24 months at the TSA’s distribute Dahlgren Decon, a three-part
recently selected for use by the US discretion. Under this contract, decontaminant solution that immediately
army and approved for explosive Analogic will develop advanced threat decontaminates chemical and biological
ordnance disposal (EOD) use by Naval detection algorithms that will be used warfare agents. Dahlgren Decon has also
Surface Warfare Command, Indian in Analogic’s ConneCT aviation been proven to decontaminate fentanyl,
Head EOD Technology Division, Indian checkpoint CT system. “We have a long the powerful and toxic synthetic opioid,
Head, Maryland. history supporting US aviation security, behind the recently declared national
and this contract will be instrumental health emergency.
AHSA competition winners announced in bringing the benefits of Analogic CT
The autonomy of hazardous scene technology and the ConneCT solution Smiths Detection’s workshops
assessment (AHSA) defence and to airports in the United States,” said Smiths Detection Inc (SDI) is
security accelerator competition, which Fred Parks, president and ceo. “We are pioneering a series of educational
will change the way chemical and honoured to receive this contract, workshops to inform first responders on
biohazards are investigated, has which represents the next step toward how to use technology to protect
announced the latest winners. Phase 1 CT technology taking a predominant themselves against fentanyl exposure.
of the competition, which ran for six place at airport checkpoints to improve The workshops will explore scenarios
months until July 2017, funded 18 security, airport efficiency and where responders can utilise field based
development projects and was worth passenger satisfaction.” detection and identification systems to
£1.37m. Four of the phase 1 winners mitigate the threat of exposure to the
were then selected to develop their Ouvry acquires SIM KIT patent potentially lethal opioid.
concepts further in the second phase. Ouvry, a French company specialising
Early prototypes will be demonstrated in CBRN and personal protective MobiLab on the rise
by October 2018. Just over £1.6m total systems, has acquired the Sim Kit PositiveID Corporation recently
funding was awarded to BMT Defence patent from the Dutch Hotzone announced that its subsidiary, E-N-G
Services, with an unmanned aerial Solutions Group. The chemical Mobile Systems, saw its sales of
vehicle which has gas-sensing simulant kit, comprising three realistic customised mobile laboratories increase
technology; Horiba MIRA, which has a chemical warfare agent simulants, is by 152% at the end of Q3 2017,
robot with its own neural networks that intended for use in CBRN training and compared to the first nine months of
can deploy on decon missions; courses. Sim Kit was launched and 2016. ENG’s MobiLab line, mobile
Loughborough University, with a pocket- patented in 2012 by practitioners, laboratories for chemical and biological
sized drone which can search for former instructors from the detection, monitoring and analysis, bring
chemicals; and Snake Eyes, by Organisation for the Prohibition of these capabilities to the field where they
Autonomous Devices Limited, which Chemical Weapons (OPCW), and is are needed most. ENG has delivered
can be posted through a letter box to used in over 20 countries. Ouvry more than 1,500 vehicles since its
relay 3D images of a space and detect already had an exclusive distribution inception and these figures show
chemical agents. agreement for the French market. increasing demand for the product.

CBRNeWORLD
Dr Mehmet Güllüoglu, president of Turkey’s Disaster and
Emergency Management Authority, talks to Gwyn Winfield about
preparing for CBRN attacks
Rather one
problem than a
1000 suggestions
T
urkey has come a long way in a Dr Güllüoglu is not perhaps the ministry of defence, AFAD’s CBRN
short time in terms of CBRN most obvious choice for an individual includes a heavy disaster response
defence. We held the 4th CBRNe heading civilian CBRN defence. Highest element. In a country which has as
Convergence in Istanbul in 2011 and on his list of achievements is his work many earthquakes as Turkey does, that
made a number of visits to what was for the Turkish Red Crescent, especially makes sense. AFAD has teams in 81
then the new Disaster and Emergency in facilitating the entry into Turkey of 3 provinces and 11 larger brigades in
Management Authority (AFAD, formally million Syrian immigrants. Indeed in Istanbul, Ankara, Bursa, Sakarya, Afyon,
started in 2010) as well as the ministry his office are two large photos, a front Samsun, Adana, Diyarbakir, Erzurum,
of defence etc. Even before the civil war and back, of the body of three year old Izmir and Van.
there was concern over Syria's Alan Kurdi on the beach at Bodrum. In addition to the CBRN/hazmat
suspected possession of chemical and The plight of the Syrians is clearly piece they are tasked with management
biological weapons, but much of the important for Dr Güllüoglu. of disaster and emergency actions at a
terrorist response in Turkey was focused AFAD is, at its heart, a humanitarian local level, engineering activities, search
on Kurdish attacks, rather than Al organisation with a CBRN element, and rescue and coordination between
Qaeda. It has been a long six years, and rather than a law enforcement or institutions. In terms of responsibilities
now not only has AFAD managed to put hazmat outfit. Like other agencies, such for CBRN, at the national level AFAD
down solid roots but it has also built as the Defence CBRN Response Force delivers field/table top exercises and
itself into a CBRN defence power. (DCRF) in the US or the Austrian other training, determines the roles of
Due to problems in the region AFAD

has had to turn itself into a CBRN force
©CBRNe World

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CBRNeWORLD
Rather one problem than a 1000 suggestions
relevant institutions, raises public

awareness, prepares the asset list for
CBRN emergencies, determines
standards, coordinates risk assessment
and collaborates with other national and
international organisations.
Thanks to the safe havens that
Turkey has guaranteed in Syria,
Turkish CBRN forces are very much on
the front line. While it’s mainly their
medical forces that are gaining
extensive experience dealing with
mustard casualties and the occasional
organophosphate poisoning, AFAD
personnel are gathering more
experience in dealing with CBRN
attacks than any other nation in
Europe. In addition, they have the
possibility of returning ISIS fighters
with chemical weapons knowledge,
either transiting through their
country, or choosing to attack the
massive refugee camps or Turkish
towns and cities. It would seem that
the potential for chemical weapons
outrages is real, but are senior
government leaders paying attention,
or is it just the specialists?
Dr Güllüoglu suggested that the
front row of the recent KBRN Congress
in Ankara, which was replete with
government ministers, gave a good
example of the attention the subject is
getting. “Both parties are looking at it
closely. The specialists always do but it
is also gaining momentum in the office
of the president and heads of ministries,
who are now giving it priority. Turkey’s
budget is prepared by two different
ministries, development and finance,
'Bother these thumbs.' This was the biggest pot of honey that Pooh had ever seen,
both of which support our activities, but he did seem to be having problems getting the lid off ©CBRNe World
especially regarding what is happening
inside Syria. This is important as international agencies complain that and intelligence mission becomes
between 2013 and 2017 chemicals have they could do more to integrate them), apparent, as Dr Güllüoğlu points out
been used repeatedly against people, they are building up a store of goodwill the latter is not AFAD’s job. “Different
individuals and terrorists, but also among this Syrian community. The agencies have different roles and AFAD
babies and kids are affected. All this hope is that once bad actors start to try and my team are a humanitarian
threatens Turkey, which is why filtering through the camps, these organisation. Other organisations do
awareness has stretched out from individuals will be noticed and the intelligence and security. We have the
specialists to policy makers; the latter authorities informed. With AFAD Directorate General for Migration
are also interested in what to invest in employees likely to be first to hear Management [DGMM www.goc.gov.tr/
and how to maintain it.” about these would-be terrorists the main/Eng_3] and they have an
One of the AFAD missions is to challenge is to get the claims assessed important role in accepting people and
coordinate actions between different and passed onto intelligence and law checking who they are, their timescales
agencies. With AFAD and Turkey doing a enforcement services. and where they are from. This is not
first rate job in constructing camps and This is perhaps where a slight AFAD’s mandate, but we will coordinate
homing refugees (though some disconnect between the humanitarian with DGMM, safety and security and

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CBRNeWORLD
international teams. Our main role is to ministry of health when appropriate. country, and the distribution makes
serve the people in a humanitarian way, CBRN cases are not only linked to considerable sense when seen in the
others have different responsibilities.” conflict but also to industrial context of the major fault lines and
In terms of CBRN, AFAD has a far accidents and technological disasters. earthquake zones. The other element is
wider brief that immediately imagined. We are the main responding agency, the southern states which are close to
Often humanitarian organisations, like with support from organisations like Syria. These have had increased
the Red Cross/Crescent or THW, the the ministries of health and defence, capability, as do those areas with a
German agency for technical relief with measurement equipment and the preponderance of heavy industry.
(www.thw.de/EN/Homepage/homepage_ tools to respond. We are still Whether they have increased capability
node.html), are mainly involved with improving, introducing new or not the teams all have the same
providing dry/clean clothes or limited equipment and going to different training. Dr Güllüoglu stated that you
decontamination, but that is not the exhibitions to see companies. can never guess where an incident
AFAD mission. Outside of the military “The health ministry is responsible might happen, or what scale it could be.
AFAD is one of the only games in for casualties, but in terms of the Indeed the demo that they ran at the
CBRN town. hotzone, cleaning it and taking samples congress showed a fairly slick response,
Indeed at the recent congress there is our role. The ministry has its own with a variety of high end assets.
was a series of very well produced team and will deal with anything related The challenge for AFAD is definitely the
videos designed to educate the public to health issues. This element is transitions between themselves, law
and de-mystify CBRN agents. Dr something that needs to be further enforcement and the health service. The
Güllüoglu explained the role of his exercised; the health ministry is demo was interesting for what it showed
teams: “AFAD reports directly to the training us on basic health responses and what it didn’t. There was only one
prime minister and we don’t just have and we are giving them support for fatality, the scientist, which limited the
the response element but also hotzone conditions.” need for a health response. Equally,
coordination. AFAD will coordinate As mentioned previously AFAD’s while the team followed a good, clean
between security forces and the units are spread throughout the man, dirty man technique, it was only
Turkey is getting more real world

CWA experience than any other country
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one thing. “CBRN hasn’t just had an

improvement in capacity, with our new
building, our team, the
documentation… everything has
improved. The Syrian crisis became a
major problem. We quickly had to face
real threats, not a test or an exercise,
and increase our capability to deal with
them. There have been significant
changes in terms of the number of
people we have needed to recruit,
purchasing the latest equipment, the
usage and training of our teams and
also in our network.”
Admittedly, while the nature of the
threat has prompted much of the
improvement in the chemical field,
increases in manpower and
communications will deliver benefits
across the board. AFAD was keen to
point out that it has purchased
equipment for biological and
radiological too, but the balance in the
chemical column far outweighs it!
Another improvement that will have
far reaching benefits will be the national
information system that AFAD is
building. It is the incident manager for
AFAD has focussed much of its funding on dealing with the chemical threat all CBRN incidents, as well as disasters
©CBRNe World etc, and as such has a very modern
crisis management centre. The new
for sample taking. There was no attempt sectors to other countries, and then software and early warning system will
to follow chain of custody and identify you must add Syria into that. This bring all responding agencies together
other evidence. The military, especially pushes us to be unique and to be ready. and allow them a single unified
the military medical, have built up a We are importing equipment from command system. Currently AFAD is
nice capability to prepare for any different countries, but we have a working with a variety of universities
operational mission across the border, unique model for our way of working.” and technology providers, such as
but based on evidence from the Currently the way the teams are Havelsan, to integrate the various
congress and demo it does seem as if learning from other organisations is to information feeds and provide one
the difficult bits, the interaction go and train with them, especially with system that can both send and receive
between agencies/missions, need work live agent, but Dr Güllüoglu suggested information to a variety of comms
done on them. that might be changing in the future, as platforms (GSM, satellite, SMS etc).
In terms of the response, since they plan to build their own live agent Bearing in mind how far and fast
AFAD is pretty new to the CBRN party, training centre. Considering the CBRN has grown in AFAD where does
is there a model? Does Dr Güllüoglu amount of real incidents they are facing Dr Güllüoglu see the capability going
look at another force elsewhere in the it wouldn’t surprise me to find that in the next three to five years? “The
world and say, that’s what I want us to some of the countries that have war in Syria is still ongoing, there are
look like! He suggested that there previously offered training to the Turks some positive steps, but it has not
wasn’t. The scenario that they have start asking them to return the favour. ended, there is no cease fire. There are
orientated to face is pretty novel and One advantage of the sudden, and the terrorist groups that are holding
while they can still learn, there isn’t a serious, interest in CBRN has been the territory in Syria and that will increase
template. “It is a unique capability. root and branch improvement in that the risk and likelihood of chemical
Fortunately there are no major cases in area, covering everything from use. In addition there is an increased
this part of the world for us to follow, equipment to training and policy. So use of CBR materials in industry which
and while we are learning from others when Dr Güllüoglu looks back where might be involved in an accident. But
we don’t follow them as a model. does he see the biggest improvement? the risk from Syria is the number one
Turkey has different industries and He suggested that it was difficult to pick threat for us.”

CBRNe December 2017 vChanges:CBRNe December 2017 vChanges 03/01/2018 11:24 Page 15
CBRNeWORLD
LTC Jorge Barrera, CBRN Company Commander, Argentine Army, talks to
Gwyn Winfield about the CBRN defence capability that Argentina is building
I had to let
it happen…
GW: What is the role of the of the CBRN incident, the actor victim of terrorist attacks in the past, the
Argentinian army in a CBRN incident? or the nature of the threat. occurrence of high visibility
Are there some incidents, either due to international events in our country could
the nature of the CBRN agent used or GW: What is the threat once again draw the attention of
the actor (criminal, terrorist, accident level in Argentina? fundamentalist groups to our region,
etc), in which you are not involved or What do you see as a simply because they seek to obtain their
where your role changes? ‘traditional’ threat, ends by any available means.
JB: In the case of a crisis committee much as Muslim The Engineers Company 601 of
request the ministry of defence will fundamentalists are for Chemical, Biological, Nuclear and
provide army support for the emergency the west and FARC etc are for Emergency Support interoperates with
or incident via its CBRN defence Colombia? What do the response other response agencies, as part of the
elements, specifically the Engineer services expect an attack to look like? response to natural and anthropic
Company 601 and its Chemical, JB: The level of CBRN threat in our emergencies, in different scenarios, and
Biological, Nuclear and Emergency country is the same as that for the whole tries to mitigate any damage caused.
Support. The crisis committee will region: low probability. Unfortunately
generally be led by an official of the should it occur, it could deliver a high GW: Who becomes incident manager
ministry of security, and this is how we level of damage, therefore it needs to be during a CBRN terrorist incident?
respond, irrespective of the magnitude considered a high risk event. However, Is there one system, or does the
noting that our country has been a system change depending on the
incident or agent?
Welcome to the Rose House! The Argentinian

government is having to focus on CBRN due to HVE
©CBRNe World

CBRNeWORLD
I had to let it happen…
The CBRN units of the Argentinian military belong to the 601st Engineer Company ©DoD
JB: Should this type of event occur, a depends on the type of CBRN agent support from any international
crisis committee is formed, and put involved and based on this, it will be organisation. It would be significant,
under the control of an official determined which is the most however, to be able to receive training
appointed by the our country’s appropriate institution to accomplish from OPCW because of its important
president. That will usually be an official the task. The most significant exercise is experience in chemical protection and
from the ministry of security, who will our simulation of an emergency at a assistance and its related contribution
be known as the incident commander nuclear power plant. to international peace and security.
but who will have specialists or
specialised institutions in each area to GW: What training capability do you GW: What CBRN capability/equipment
advise and assist him. To carry out this have? Do you do any live agent do you have? Have you focussed on the
process there are protocols or pre- training, for example? What assistance capability for one area (Dim, decon etc)
established systems as a basis and they do you get from the International or do you possess a broad capability to
are flexible enough to be adapted to Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) or the do everything?
whatever situation has arisen. Organisation for the Prohibition of JB: Engineer Company 601 of
Chemical Weapons (OPCW) etc? Chemical, Biological, Nuclear and
GW: How do you work with the fire JB: We carry out training and Emergency Support has first
department and police – who manages permanent enlistment in individual and generation equipment focused on
the collection of samples for example? collective protection, recognition and decontamination. The company is
Do you have joint exercises, and environmental monitoring, equipped with multipurpose tents for
what/when was the most significant? decontamination of personnel and mass decontamination of personnel,
JB: The work with the federal police vehicles and first responders. As part of large capacity decontamination
firefighters and with the volunteer our exchanges with other armies, we equipment, individual
firemen is important since it allows us have had personnel trained by the US decontamination tents for personnel
to establish common procedures with army, where among other activities they and equipment, portable
the use of the equipment. It allows us to have been instructed at the chemical decontaminators, kits for
clearly establish, what role each will defence training centre. Participating decontaminating sensitive goods,
play at every stage of an emergency and officers have been able to interact in an equipment for chemical detection,
how can we complement each other to environment contaminated with a personal protective equipment, masks,
enhance and multiply our capacities, minimum dose of a real chemical flexible tanks for contaminated water,
fundamentally in the face of scarce warfare agent like VX. decontaminating products and water
resources. Regarding sampling, that The army does not receive any purification plants.

CBRNeWORLD
I had to let it happen…
GW: How does the Argentinian army with another country may be requested modern, flexible company with high
work with other regional militaries? if necessary. tactical mobility and strategic
Are there any mutual aid pacts that promptness, which enables us to face
might either see other nations GW: What capability are you looking to both known threats and those that are
assisting you in a CBRN incident, or build in preparation for the G20 and still unknown.
you assisting them? Youth Olympics? This requires continuing investment
JB: The Argentine army is well JB: Regarding these high visibility in technology and training to ensure we
integrated with the region’s armed international events, we expect have the right CBRN defence capabilities
forces since it is committed to resources to be available at that time to and so are able both to adapt to different
development in the area of defence and allow for a coordinated interaction with scenarios with a high level of
solidarity of support for all who require the other agencies involved in case of a uncertainty and to provide the state,
it. We work with a sense of CBRN emergency. The mission of the with a dual capacity, that can be used
complementarity since this is
considered to be of great importance in
making us stronger, thus contributing
to the progress, security and defence of
the region. In order to do this, there are
international cooperation systems or
agreements that allow mutual
assistance to take place, thus optimising
joint and combined procedures.
GW: What specialist research facilities

do you have? Are they able to meet the
specific needs and requirements of the
armed forces, or do you need input
from Nato or other national labs?
JW: The Institute of Scientific and
Technological Research for Defense
(CITEDEF) under the ministry of
defence, is the agency par excellence
forresearch and development for the
armed forces. It shares objectives with
other agencies within the framework of
the ministry of science, technology and
production for defence as the
Directorate General of Military
Industries, the military aircraft factory,
the naval industrial complex, the
National Meteorological Service, the
Naval Hydrography Service and the
National Geographic Institute.
In addition, the country has
biosafety level 3 (BSL-3) laboratories for Common procedures have been established between the military
the analysis of samples of biological and other civilian responders ©CBRNe World
agents and Latin America’s benchmark
biological dosimetry laboratory before Engineer Company 601 of Chemical, militarily and for a peacetime CBRN
the IAEA, at the Ezeiza atomic centre. Biological, Nuclear and Emergency emergency. It should also be noted that
Should we need analysis of a highly Support is to provide the necessary our country is a world reference in the
toxic biological agent, the support of a support to reinforce, complement or peaceful use of nuclear power and has an
biosafety level 4 (BSL-4) laboratory replace these agencies fundamentally, important petrochemical development.
would be required. All of them with teams able to decontaminate In addition, our country has become
contribute in a joint manner to cover personnel and vehicles. an important tourist attraction, which is
the needs of the armed forces. Taking accessed by visitors from around the
into account all the different GW: What do you see as the challenges world by air, land or sea. Increasingly,
international cooperation agreements for the next three to five years? the biological risk is a latent threat we
that are in force, however, collaboration JB: Looking forward, we all want a cannot ignore.

CBRNeWORLD Michael Collins, deputy to the commander for Joint Task Force Civil Support,
talks to Gwyn Winfield about his decade in the role and what the future might hold
I remember
when this was
all CCMRF
I
t is perhaps only a small irony, but logistics and medical units, might not People are interested if we are we solely
CBRNe World was started in the year be familiar CBRN brand names, other the force that sits on the wall behind a
that Michael ‘Casey’ Collins joined components such as the Chemical glass case labelled ‘break glass in case
Joint Task Force Civil Support (JTFCS). Biological Incident Response Force of CBRN emergency!’ The answer is
2006 was a heady year. Italy won the (CBIRF) and the Civil Support Teams always the same, but we have this
FIFA World Cup, Borat’s Cultural (CST) are far more familiar brands. conversation with every three to four
Learnings… caused outrage and When we interviewed our first star officer to reaffirm it. That answer
hilarity in equal measure and Saddam JTFCS commanding general in 2010 it is: ‘Yes, we are CBRN only. But then
Hussein was executed, ushering in a was all about the creation of the something catastrophic happens…’.
period of peace that… we are still Homeland Response Forces (HRF), “So Harvey happens in Houston, or
waiting for. Mr Collins and CBRNe which were taking the place of two of Maria in the Caribbean, and people
World became involved, and, to the CBRNE Consequence Management start looking around saying ‘we need
paraphrase Hart vs Hart, ‘When they Response Forces (CCMRFs), with the to send medical and logistics forces,’
met it was a disaster’. Mr Collins spoke final CCMRF becoming the Defence or helicopter lift forces as in the early
at our Istanbul event in 2011, two CBRN Response Force (DCRF). days the roads are blocked by trees etc.
weeks after a devastating earthquake hit Subsequent interviews have focussed on So they look around the DoD and even
Turkey, he also presented in Virginia a the challenges of the day, such as though it is a huge endeavour there is
year later… when Super Storm Sandy improving response time and agility, not a lot of it that can do stuff on any
was lashing the area. Thankfully he has but it is rare to do an interview where given day. Much of it is in Europe, re-
also lectured at other of our events, we can compare today’s problems with learning cold war lessons, some is in
most recently in Indianapolis, those of five or even 10 years ago. Afghanistan, Iraq and Korea, some is
suggesting that previous disasters were Mr Collins laughed at the training for its wartime mission and
more chance than divine displeasure. suggestion of huge amounts of finally some is in a reset role in turn
Most pertinently for this article he corporate knowledge and stated that it around from training or leave. Even
has been in post for the entirety of this all came down to the same thing – is though we have number of people with
time, and represents a rare store of JTFCS a CBRN or an all hazard force? brigade combat teams, and airforce
corporate knowledge in an organisation “I often think what is old is new again! expeditionary wings, there is little of
that is refreshed by routine military Every time we get a new three star that can go out the door with 24
rotations. Mr Collins has therefore seen commander, the commander of US hours notice.
the same bad ideas come around time Army North (ARNORTH) in San “That is exactly what happened with
and again, and has probably also been Antonio, or we get a new four star dual- Maria. HQ leaned forward saying, we are
surprised by good ideas returning more hatted commander at Northern ready to go and do this defence support
than once! Joint Task Force Civil Command, we end up revisiting issues to a civil authority (DSCA) all hazard
Support is the US’ only standing task we put to bed years ago. The most mission and still be ready to respond to
force in the Department of Defense common one is: ‘Is JTFCS only for a CBRN event if need be... Higher HQ
(DoD) enterprise tasked with dealing CBRN response, or could we be used for said we know you can do that, but you
with large scale CBRN incidents. While all hazards, like category five hurricanes are a one of a kind team for the large
elements of the JTFCS, especially the and earthquakes, those type of things.’ response, so we want you to stay at Fort

CBRNeWORLD
JTF CS helicopter lift capability makes it useful in a
variety of emergencies ©DoD
Eustis, ready for a CBRN event. So we to deploy notice, depending on the unit If I can provide medical support to
only sent two personnel, one to support type, to immediately redeploy, to relief people in a nuclear aftermath, if I can
higher HQ at ARNORTH, which had the in place, transfer of authority (RIPTOA). do search and response and technical
lead for the land response, and one So while they are down there doing rescue and all that in a respirator, PAPR
engineer for bridge and other great work for US citizens in the and some kind of chemical protective
infrastructure assessments in the wake Caribbean they had to be prepared to gear, don’t you think I can do the same
of the hurricane to see what needed to redeploy to the US in 24-48 hours for a mission in my shirt sleeves?!’ And they
be repaired… CBRN event, if needs be.” go… ‘Oh, I see your point.’ So it is nice
“But then you step back to the This duality of deployment, that to know that in the last decade we have
subordinate units. We have 80 units in the force emphasis is on CBRN, yet beat that drum and communicated that
30+ installations across the US, and the those skills can also be used in DSCA if you can do CBRN you can do all
DoD elected to use DCRF units for clearly challenges senior leaders. ‘Even hazard DSCA… but the reverse is not
hurricane response. So a US Army area though you respond to these events, true. What our units discovered in
support medical company (ASMC), a they’re not part of your mission and October was that all their CBRN
roll-to field hospital, was sent to the you don’t train for them?!’ Yet Mr training applies to all hazard DSCA
Virgin islands, as they only have two to Collins suggested that this didn’t response, and that was probably the best
three hospitals on the island, one of actually faze the tactical level training exercise we could give them.”
them lost a roof, and all lost power. The operators. “For the subordinate units One of the most visible elements of
ASMC stayed for a month, to provide the lesson they learned [from JTFCS is the annual set piece exercise,
routine medical care. We also sent a responding to the hurricane], was that Vibrant Response. With 5,200 participants
bunch of logistics units to Puerto Rico, their CBRN training was the same and an expected 18,000 tonnes of
truck companies, people that can handle training as would need for an all equipment and supplies to move Vibrant
supplies, units that can offload cargo hazard DSCA response. The ability to Response is a big beast. It is also
ships or aircraft with relief supplies. We get through the door in 24-48 hours traditionally a nuclear exercise, the old
sent a significant number of helicopters and respond to citizens in need is the 10kt extravaganza. For a CBRN response
down there from the helicopter brigade, same whether it is DSCA or CBRN. force it seems a bit limiting to have only
to move stuff around until the roads “When I first got the job ten years done 10kt for the past 11 years. Mr
were clear, in particular the CH47s with ago people said: ‘Oh no, you can’t do all Collins suggested that it also frustrated
heavy lift capability. hazard DSCA, you are not trained for him, but that it was the bulk that JTFCS
“Our units supporting the all hazard that!’ I would look at them like they brought that drove the exercise, smaller
response also had a 24-48 hour prepare were a Martian: ‘Let me get this straight. events just wouldn’t call for them.

CBRNe
’18 CONVERGENCE
6-8 November 2018
Rosen Plaza Hotel, Orlando, Florida
Book Now!
www.cbrneworld.com/convergence2018
11th Annual CBRNe World Congress and Exhibition
Growing Closer, staying distinct: merging civilian and military response to CBRN and IED threats
CBRNeWORLD
I remember when this was all CCMRF
Just CBRN or disaster too? ©DoD

“I get frustrated that every year we response, so we seem doomed to do it for April and Vibrant Response, and
do Vibrant Response and it is same old forever. It would be good to do a bio or what the army calls Guardian Response.
nuclear detonation… but I understand chemical response though you would We will combine these exercises, so the
why our higher HQ relies on that have to fast forward the exercise days or army is completing its service provider
scenario. While a bio event might in the weeks. training while we are training with a
long run be more dangerous or more “The services have done a great job CPX and also 3,000 soldiers, sailors,
catastrophic it has a slow fuse. It is not at the tactical training level, the unit marines and airmen.”
like Outbreak [1995 film with Dustin and individual training, but weren’t so With Casey Collins’ love of CBRN pop
Hoffman and Morgan Freeman: “You good in the early days at the culture (and as well as Outbreak we
silly, sentimental son of a bitch. Nobody operational level, where we needed to referenced The Rock and The Walking
puts me under arrest. Nobody.”], which combine them into battalion task forces Dead at various times) isn’t it feasible
I love, as within a matter of days Ebola – a chemical company, an engineering that there could be a bio version of
is rampant across a city and you have platoon, a roll-to medical company, a Vibrant Response? While bio is a ‘slow
military officers holding the gun to the battalion HQ etc. We have not been burn’ there might be a time when the
heads of other military officers, great at training those units to act as a scenario has built to the extent that the
breaches of posse comitatus. I used to group in the past, but in the last three mass of JTFCS is required? Sadly that
use that movie as training for lawyers! to four years we have got better at it. doesn’t look likely, as Mr Collins
“The more gavels, instead of stars, a This year we went through ARNORTH explained: “I don’t think that will ever
scene in a movie got the more and then to US Army Forces Command happen. Last year we did a two to three
preposterous it was. A nuclear and we said: ‘We have a better way to day table top exercise, and brought in
detonation is the only one that causes skin this cat,’ and they liked it. Health and Human Services, the Centres
you to respond immediately. A RDD, for “So we did a leadership training for Disease Control, our higher HQ from
example, is mainly a state response, our programme with the army training ARNORTH, Northern Command and
large cities are so capable and our units for our oncoming units for next National Guard partners and other
national guard has so much more year, with a mobile training team to agencies. A lot of people weren’t sure
capability, that it wouldn’t involve us. show them how we operate. Then we what the DoD bio mission would be, as a
There isn’t enough damage to people added a new event in February where large part of the DCRF is designed to go
and property. Bio is a slow cook, rad is we do a command post exercise (CPX) in for search and rescue or technical
smaller and while chemical may do it, a with brigade and battalion HQ in Fort search and extraction and then decon.
lot of nerve agent, for example, is Bragg. We will use a nuclear You will probably not need that for a bio
needed to affect the significant number detonation, but it will be this CPX with event. You are going to need our four
of people that would exceed the cities’ no troops in the field to help us medical hospitals, the two airforce
capabilities. It comes back to nuke, as introduce them to how we operate and emergency medical units (EMEDs), the
the devastation is overwhelming and how we will employ them and their role three medical hospitals, you’ll also
requires a whole of government subordinate units. That sets the stage need our transportation, ground and air,

CBRNeWORLD
I remember when this was all CCMRF
rather than the government, we should

be more prepared to use these highly
trained forces for no notice events like
an earthquakes. I have faith that we
would, but the forces at the tactical level
only hear CBRN, CBRN, CBRN. We need
to be prepared at the soldier level to do
more than CBRN.”
So as our Ghost of CBRN Future
propels Mr Collins forward 10 years,
what does he expect to find? What have
these apparitions taught him to prepare
for? “Ten years from now there will be
the same debate. Sometimes people
look at JTFCS and the DCRF as one
entity, like at Vibrant Response, but
when we are at home in garrison people
see us as two separate entities. They
think they need to keep JTFCS in
reserve for the CBRN mission, and they
start off saying the same about the
DCRF but then something happens.
“In 2012 Major General Mathis was
going to speak in Convergence and our
entire HQ deployed to Fort Dix in NJ
‘…and then Morgan Freeman…’ Casey Collins speaking at Convergence 2017
©CBRNe World and spent an entire month up there
responding to Super Storm Sandy,
and two ambulance companies, US fighting in Iraq and Afghanistan because we were used to working with
army ambulances. simultaneously, that major components civilian partners and handling a large
“So while you’ll need the medical and of the force were not sourced in number of missions. While the HQ
logistics elements you are not going to advance of the mission, and time had to deployed as an insurance policy they did
need over a third of the DCRF. We went be allowed to train them up for it. not send any DCRF units for that
through this, and asked: what missions “It took years of work by the Office of mission. Instead they sent us other units
might come to DoD and what capability the Secretary of Defense and its we had never met before in support of
do we need to do those missions and capabilities analyst along with the that mission, engineers with pumps etc.
what kind of units do we need? While it services to try and flush out what we We will still have this debate about
wasn’t as much fun as doing it in real need if we are really going to do this whether you hold JTFCS and DCRF in
time, like Vibrant Response, it was mission. We found we needed more reserve for the CBRN mission or you
worthwhile doing this multi day exercise technical search and rescue, significantly send them and we’ll have the same
with partners from across federal more medical, a few more helicopters, conversation when we have a natural
government to find out what we need to some more communications. It took us disaster. There’s never been an answer
provide and how quickly.” years to work out the optimum that satisfies everyone in the federal
Since this is the December issue it composition of this force. One of the government, the DoD and everyone that
is only fair to take Mr Collins on his things that people don’t think about is does this mission for a living.”
own CBRN Christmas Carol excursion. the transportation and logistics, how do Another constant that Mr Collins
When our Ghost of CBRN Past takes you move 5,200 people and reflects on is the fact that both his past
him back to 2006 what would he like to 18,000tonnes of equipment in days with and future selves would most likely be
tell his younger self? “I’d have been no warning? So while we would like pleased that the DoD’s interest in CBRN
surprised that it took us so long to get more medical, heavy lift aviation and is fairly constant. Despite operations in
to where we are now. We had the technical responders it has to be a whole Iraq and Afghanistan, despite budget
CCMRF, but its dirty secret was that it of government approach. The biggest downturns and usage of chemicals in
really only had enough medical limiting factor is the rapid movement the Levant and the potential of nuclear
capability for the soldiers, sailors, necessary to get somewhere in 24-48 weapons on the Korean peninsula the
marines and airmen that were injured hours before passing the life-saving commitment to CBRN and JTFCS
in the response; it didn’t have enough mark. How much convoy, strategic airlift remains. Perhaps, like death and taxes,
capacity to help our civilian partners. It and civilian charter are we going to need the Force and the poor, CBRN will be
was also disappointing, since we were to get there? As a personal opinion, with you, always.

Dr Christina Baxter, ceo of Emergency Response TIPS, US, and Dr Michael Logan,
CBRNeWORLD
of the research and scientific branch, Queensland Fire and Emergency Services,
Australia, on Synthetic Opioids in Operational Environments – Part I: Detection
Looking for
my china girl
S
ince1999, the US has seen a the case of fentanyl, for an average important for responders to apply a
dramatic increase in prescriptions 75kg (165lb) person, the dose required risk based approach to ensure that they
for opioid pain relievers (OPR).1 for an analgesic effect is estimated to be are properly protected from the
These include opiates derived from 2.5micrograms, an anaesthetic effect material they are detecting, and so
natural opium sources (eg, morphine ranges between 25 and 125micrograms, prevent accidental exposure or
and codeine), semisynthetic opioids (eg, and the lethal dose is 2.5milligrams. contamination. The protective posture
oxycodone and hydrocodone), and may include respiratory protection
synthetic opioids (eg, fentanyl). OPR How does this relate to CBRNE? with chemical protective clothing or be
treatment admissions and overdose In October 2002, some of the materials as simple as interrogating the sample
deaths have risen in parallel with the that are ravaging the US and Canada in within a glove box or laboratory type
increase in prescriptions.1 Until 2011, the current drug epidemic were used by portable fume hood.
most opioid overdose deaths resulted the Russian federal security service in Once the responders’ safety is
from the misuse and/or abuse of an attempt to resolve the hostage crisis managed, the next step will be
prescription opioids.2 Since then, in the Melnikov Street theatre. The determining the amount of material
prescription overdoses have levelled off UK’s Defence Science and Technology available and its form for detection.
and heroin overdoses have soared.2 It Laboratory (Dstl) compared open Trace detection techniques are required
has become easier and cheaper for literature publications by government for samples which are less than 1
people addicted to opioid prescription scientists from around the world both microgram in available materials. Trace
drugs to switch to heroin. before and after the siege, and have samples are generally residues on
In fact, people who are addicted to shown an increased interest in the use surfaces, outside packages, at
oxycodone are 40 times more likely to of synthetic opioids as incapacitating interfaces, etc. Bulk detection
become addicted to heroin than the agents.6 While there are many synthetic technologies are only used with
average person.3 Since 2013, there has opioids, the most commonly discussed samples of visible amounts of material.
been a sharp rise in deaths related to are fentanyl and fentanyl analogues. This paper describes considerations the
heroin mixed with fentanyl or fentanyl Originally developed by Janssen operator can use to choose the
analogues, often unknown to the user. Pharmaceuticals as OPRs in 19607, the appropriate detection equipment for
In that same period, drug overdoses fentanyl class of compounds have their operations. It does not cover all
have become the leading cause of death become drugs of abuse more recently. currently available detectors, just a
for Americans under 50.4 In 2017, the There are approximately 1,400 possible sample subset.
White House labelled the opioid fentanyl derivatives, of which
epidemic a national public health approximately 500 would have toxicities Choosing a trace detector for field
emergency.5 Sadly, the US is not alone suitable for clandestine use, over 200 operations
in facing this epidemic. Canada is are known to have been known to been The two detection technologies capable
fighting the epidemic in parallel, and produced, and over 30 have been seen of detecting fentanyl and its analogues
Europe and Australia are quickly seeing in the current drug trade. at trace levels (less than a microgram)
its early stages. in operational environments are mass
Fentanyl and fentanyl analogues are Detecting the threat spectrometry (MS) and ion mobility
predominantly a respiratory hazard to As the synthetic opioid crisis evolves, spectroscopy (IMS). Table 1 compares
first responders. While they are also a detection technologies are being some commercially available products
dermal hazard, the speed at which the enhanced to ensure that synthetic using characteristic which are important
material penetrates the skin and moves opioids can be detected, categorised, in the operational environment. These
into the blood stream is very slow and and/or identified. Prior to beginning include system size/weight, selectivity,
is not a likely source of a toxic dose. In any detection regime, it is firstly sensitivity, logistics, speed of sample

CBRNeWORLD
Looking for my china girl
Table 1. Comparison of commercially available products for trace detection of synthetic opioids.
processing, speed of instrument set-up, 510 which uses a strong electron 600 and the Bruker RoadRunner do not
ability to resolve mixtures, on-board ionisation technique, followed by use radioactive ion sources, therefore
libraries and cost. For the trace quadrupole detection and library they do not require periodic testing for
detection technologies, most matching is an example of a GC-MS. It radioactivity and do not have the
commercial products measure in the does not allow for identification of the logistics burden associated with many
mid-nanograms range which is well molecular ion of a species, but it will older IMS models.
below the toxicity threshold for an provide for consistent library matching Another consideration which is
analgesic effect. and can use widely available electron more applicable to trace detectors is the
Each of the products listed have ionisation libraries, such as that time required for the system to turn on
different capabilities which make them developed by NIST, thereby greatly and be ready for operations. Of the
of high interest to the operational increasing its operational utility. The instruments studied, the MX908 takes
community. The MX908, a high- Inficon Hapsite GC-MS system follows approximately one minute, the
pressure approach to mass the same concepts as the FLIR Griffin Guardion takes five minutes, the
spectrometry, released a software 510. Smiths Guardion is another GC- IONSCAN 600 takes up to 10 minutes,
update in December 2017. This MS system, but it uses an ion trap the Griffin 510 takes 15 minutes, and
incorporates the new drug hunter mode detector. This system is widely deployed the RoadRunner takes up to 30 minutes.
allowing the operator to uniquely in the defence community.
identify synthetic opioids in mixtures The Smiths IONSCAN 600 is an IMS Choosing a bulk detector for field
down to 1% of total product while also system that is widely used in aviation operations
providing unique identification of the security around the world. Bruker’s The technologies that are suitable for
analogues. It is the only system that handheld RoadRunner is likely the the bulk detection of synthetic opioids
identifies the molecular ions of the newest IMS on the market. Recent (greater than a microgram) include
synthetic opioids and can differentiate additions of synthetic opioids to the Raman spectroscopy, infrared
between materials with the same libraries have greatly increased their spectroscopy, and colorimetric
molecular weight. It incorporates a utility for border security applications. chemistries. For bulk detection, the
platform-specific library as a result of As the IMS systems add more synthetic commercial products are measuring in
this unique high pressure MS approach. opioids to their libraries, they will the microgram range which is well
The other MS approaches continue to see more operational utility below the lethal dose.
incorporate gas chromatography (GC) in the narcotics detection trade space. Raman spectroscopy instruments
where chemical separation is utilised Unlike many commercial IMS can further be divided into spatially
with an MS detector. The FLIR Griffin instruments, both the Smiths IONSCAN offset Raman spectroscopy (SORS) and

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CBRNeWORLD
standard Raman spectroscopy. The only Raman systems on the market utilise wavelength in the Rigaku Progeny
commercial SORS product is the other laser wavelengths, with the most ResQ, allow for the operational
Resolve from Cobalt Light Systems, a common being 785nm and 1,064nm. evaluation of heroin and other highly
part of Agilent Technologies. SORS The 785nm wavelength provides the fluorescent materials with a standard
provides the unique capability of seeing lower limits of detection and the Raman spectrometer.
through opaque and non-opaque 1,064nm wavelength provides less Infrared spectroscopy is another
containers up to several millimetres in interference from sample fluorescence. vibrational spectroscopy, like Raman
thickness, except for metals, in addition Other enhancements such as the spectroscopy, but it does not have
to the standard vial-based and surface surface enhanced Raman spectroscopy issues with fluorescence. The sample
detection techniques. The Cobalt Light TacPac Adaptor with the B&W Tek preparation required to utilise infrared
Resolve is a handheld SORS product TacticID and the H-kit with the Thermo spectroscopy can be a drawback for field
that utilises a 830nm laser. Many other TruNarc in addition to the 1,064nm use. The DHS SAVER programme
Table 2. Comparison of commercially available products for bulk detection of synthetic opioids.

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evaluated infrared spectroscopy

technologies in 2016 and found the
following systems to be the highest
performers: Thermo Fisher Scientific
Gemini, Thermo Fisher TruDefender
FTX, and the Smiths Detection
HazmatID Elite. The Gemini received
the highest usability rating of all three
and has the added capability of
integrated Raman spectroscopy within
the same instrument.
When determining the best system
for your operational needs, it is
imperative that the operator
understands the materials contained
within the library on the system and
the reach-back support provided by the
vendor. If your team has scientific
support readily available, technical An example of a sample that was identified following a similar detection scheme
reach-back may not be as important. can be viewed at: https://vimeo.com/246311939/9b9dc08498. The sample in
For any library based system, the ability this case is a low percentage mixture of heroin and fentanyl, thereby ruling out the
to add new threats and the work use of Raman and infrared spectroscopy.
required to gather library spectra is
important. For example, in the MX908, methamphetamine) or the nitric acid present), then an infrared match is
all forms of fentanyl (hydrochloride, reagent (cross sensitive to heroin). obtained. If the sample is less than 10%
oxalate, citrate, free base) are converted of the target material, then the user is
to the free base form prior to A decision logic for detecting pushed towards a colorimetric
identification, therefore only one synthetic opioids technique. Finally, when all else fails,
library spectrum is required. For If you are part of an operational the mass spectral or IMS trace
Raman and infrared based systems, all response team that has the luxury of a technique is utilised to see if trace
the forms must be in the library. broad inventory of detection amounts of the target material are
Finally, colorimetric chemistries are technologies, there are several ways you present. Note: if you are going straight
available which are specific to fentanyl. can address the synthetic opioid threat to the mass spectrometry or IMS
Two commercial products include the and take best advantage of your approach, be sure to minimise the total
Mistral security fentanyl test kits and technologies. The following example is sample presented to the instrument (by
the DetectaChem fentanyl test kits. meant to quickly identify synthetic taking a swab of a swab of a swab).
Both systems can differentiate fentanyl opioid threats while minimising As with any high threat material,
from other opioids, cocaine, and samples required. First, a ‘point and once a presumptive identification is
methamphetamine. While there are shoot’ sample can be acquired for determined in the field, it is best to
many other colorimetric chemistries on Raman spectroscopy, if the sample is package up the remaining material
the market, they generally use the less than 10% of the target material or and send it to the laboratory for
Marquis reagent (cross sensitive to it fluoresces (especially if heroin is final identification.
References
1.
Vital Signs: Overdoses of Prescription Opioid Pain Relievers – US– 1999–2008, CDC Morbidity and Mortality Weekly
Report, 60(43);1487–1492.
2.
Treatment Episode Data Set, Center for Behavior Health Statistics and Quality, Substance Abuse and Mental Health
Services Administration. Data received through February 1, 2016.
3.
National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH), 2011–2013.
4.
National Center for Health Statistics, CDC Wonder.
5.
President Donald Trump on combatting drug demand and the opioid crisis, speeches and remarks, The White House
Office of the Press Secretary, October 26, 2017.
6.
Lindsay, C, Riches, J, Roughley, N, and Timperley, C, Chemical Defence Against Fentanyls, in Chemical Warfare
Toxicology, Volume 2: Management of Poisoning, ed. Worek, Jenner, and Theirmann, Royal Society of Chemistry, 2016.
7.
Janssen, P, The development of new synthetic narcotics, in Opioids in Anesthesia, ed. Estafenous,
Butterworth Publishers, 1984.

Captain Gary Lee, of Santa Ana Fire Department’s Hazmat 79 team,
CBRNeWORLD
talks to Zoe Rutherford about their fentanyl issues
Cold wind blowing

S
ynthetic opioids, fentanyl and epidemic kicked off. It’s currently rated GL: In our area a lot of people that deal
carfentanyl in particular, are a hot number one by the DEA as the most and use drugs are in the inner cities and
button hazmat topic at the insidious drug currently before us. we know that there are certain hotels,
moment, with news stories of overdoses for example, that are more prone to
and deaths in alarming numbers ZR: How is the hazmat team adopting having people that are constantly taking
appearing on a daily basis. Among the your protective posture to deal with drugs. So, we just have to be careful as
more than 64,000 drug overdose deaths this insidious substance? we walk in on an incident and check our
estimated for 2016, the sharpest increase
occurred among those related to
fentanyl and fentanyl analogues with
over 20,000 overdose deaths1 recorded, a
staggering rise from the 3,000 fentanyl
related deaths reported three years
earlier. Synthetic opioids are showing up
in various guises all over the US, and
there’s no sign of this problem slowing
down in the near future. In fact fentanyl
accounted for the majority of opioid
identifications in the Drug Enforcement
Administration’s (DEA) drug evidence
analysed in the third quarter of 20172.
ZR: Recently you had an incident

involving one death and two
unconscious due to a ‘white powder’
incident. What was this about?
GL: Normally we get overdoses, like
every other city, county, state, and
country, but you don’t expect to see
three people down on one scene. The
unique insidiousness of fentanyl is
really causing an increase in fatalities
due to overdose.
ZR: What is the state of the fentanyl

epidemic in Orange County?
GL: It’s growing. Some of the research
I’ve been doing through the Centers for
Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
and the DEA just points to the leading
edge of what’s going on. Most of the
people using fentanyl aren’t going out
to buy it, they’re buying other illicit
drugs, usually morphine or heroin, and
there’s just a touch of that stuff in it.
People are buying these pills for real
pain, because of chronic back problems
for example, not knowing that there’s
fentanyl in there and not knowing its
strength, that’s how this whole Fentanyl only poses a limited dermal threat ©CBRNe World

CBRNeWORLD
Cold wind blowing
surroundings to see if it’s safe for us to scene succumb to it? My feeling is that fentanyl and one deals with illicit drugs
operate there. That’s a fundamental the amount of Narcan we’re carrying will being laced, the measures are slightly
principle that hasn’t changed in our need to be upped considerably and the different on entry. They obviously want
organisation. To answer your question same goes for any state and country you to wear level A when you’re going in
regarding our protection level, we’re not that’s dealing with fentanyl because it’s to an area that might be manufacturing
going to be in a level A or level B suit sometimes going to take more than one the pills, but we know that most people
every day. Much the same protective ampoule to revive someone. are going to be wearing just a uniform
measures that we would use for other whether it’s law, fire, or medical. The
communicable diseases apply, so that’s ZR: The lack of Narcan would precautions that the CDC and NIOSH
what we’re currently using. presumably be a big concern for you in recommend are to wear a mask, nitrile
case something goes wrong? gloves, and have eye protection.
ZR: How low do you think can you GL: Probably, but another thing we can The coroner who came out to this
drop your protective posture but still do to mitigate risk is wear a qualified scene to remove the body was dressed
maintain a good level of safety for particle mask. That eliminates 95% to like that and I explained to her what we
your responders? 99% of any material that could get to had and the toxicity of this material, so
GL: The inhalation aspect is the biggest your airways. Dermal protection is there we gave her a Saranex suit to put over
concern with fentanyl, so we train our as well, we can obviously put on a her clothes. She was ready to go in with
guys as if they are going in to an area Saranex type suit as some kind of a her level of protection, which the
where there is hepatitis, or any kind of coverall, as long as we’re removing it CDC/NIOSH would sanction, and you
communicable disease. We tell them to properly and going through decon. The can imagine that she’s dealing with
wear goggles, an N95 or P100 mask, and barrier protection for dermal exposure people that have fentanyl on them all
wear splash protection on their face on needs to be there obviously, but the the time.
top of that if they’re going to be effects of exposure may not be felt for
intubating a patient or doing any kind three or four hours. I told the guys on ZR: We experience the same in the UK.
of respiratory techniques. this call after it was locked up, to go Different institutions produce
Do I think our first responders are home take a cold shower and get out of guidelines for the same danger, but
going to change that modus operandi? I their uniforms. We also contacted the they vary to the point that you will have
doubt it. I think the biggest concern we ambulance that transported the people on scene using different types
and law enforcement have is if our guys survivors and put everybody on notice PPE depending on which they read.
become a part of the problem. We carry of what the substance was so it would GL: The ultimate question is who’s
Narcan, but we don’t always carry minimise them being affected by it. going to rescue that person when they
enough to affect the potency of fentanyl. If you were to ask me what the go down. Mostly it’s the hazmat team,
During the incident we had the other standard guidelines are for so that allowed me to set my objectives
day, the two medical units that were decontamination right now I would be and ensure all the right players were
there for the two guys that were treatable slightly hard pressed as the CDC and the there before we made entry. The other
were given all the Narcan we had, so DEA have written two quite different delicate issue we have is that this might
what happens if people working the guides on it. One deals with weaponised be a crime scene. In this case we took
three samples that were sent to the
crime lab for testing. They definitively
stated the vial contained 25mg of
tan/white powder confirmed fentanyl,
the credit card had 4mg of tan powder
which was confirmed fentanyl and the
10 dollar bill had 1mg of fine white
powder that was also confirmed as
fentanyl. When it comes to fentanyl
2mg is more than enough to put
somebody on their ass.
ZR: Are you finding that you are only

dealing with finished product or are
you coming across pill mills or other
types of manufacturing processes?
GL: What we’re seeing is just the use of
it and its effects, but I know for sure
Drug users will frequently lie about their product, which is worrying where there are factories all over southern
fentanyl is concerned ©ICE California. We have four hazmat teams

CBRNeWORLD
Turnout gear needs to be carefully removed and laundered to remove any particles ©CBRNe World
in our county, two of which are in my GL: Right now the DEA is saying, and give you 100% in some areas.
agency. I had a call from Anaheim this came from a narcotics officer at the Quantitative or qualitative chemistry
hazmat wanting to know about our call, scene: “We’re not doing any narc kits on needs to be done in a lab. Barn yard
so I believe this may have been the first any of the stuff that could possibly be chemistry in the field is difficult with
in Orange County to have been set up fentanyl because just the process could this particular material.
operationally as a hazmat response. expose the people collecting it”. They
want it all done in a lab. We’re not ZR: What do you think California can
ZR: How are you guys dealing with checking for fentanyl and I don’t think do to get out in front of this epidemic?
detection of fentanyl? Do you have we could do a qualitative evaluation if GL: One of the best things would be to
anything to help with that, or are you we were. Some of the chemical run public service announcements on
just dealing with what you know when detection instruments will give you our local stations and tell the parents
you get to a scene? probabilities but they’re not going to that while kids are going to be affected

CBRNeWORLD
Cold wind blowing
by peer pressure they need to say: “Hey show the impact of fentanyl on first people numerous times it doesn’t
it’s different, you’re not just going to be responders. I think that once they do seem that we’re doing them any
doing coke or marijuana. It’s laced with maybe that might motivate a little favours by not incarcerating them
a poison that can kill you the first time change on how we approach it. I asked and trying to get them rehabilitated.
you use it.” the narcotics guy on this incident I know they can still get the drugs in
We had a case in one of our cities what they did in case they got exposed. prison, but the reports of deaths
in Orange County. A good kid, not in He told me that when they go in to from fentanyl in prison are a lot
the drug culture, went to a party and scene they’re all carrying Narcan and fewer and further between.
snorted some blow for the first time they have a safety officer in their team GL: We have habitual users who
which had a little fentanyl in it and he that carries extra. return to the same drug repeatedly or
died. It isn’t just in certain large urban they’re buying it off the street and it’s
areas where you expect to see drug ZR: I had noticed recently there have laced again. We had a girl here who
problems, it’s out in suburbia. A while been a lot of stories in the press overdosed on heroin, she was given
back we also had a bit of an epidemic about more and more officers Narcan on route to the hospital, which
where kids were going in and grabbing carrying Narcan, or asking to be in this instance was only eight
everything out of their parents’ allowed to carry Narcan. One was minutes away. She was evaluated by
medicine cabinets. It’s part of the about a guy who was revived using the emergency room doctor, released,
culture today, to get high, and they’ll Narcan three times in four months. and we saw her walking through the
do anything to do it. You wonder when some states are parking lot before we’d put our gear
Another thing I want to mention is going to get harder on this sort of back together and left the scene.
that the CDC and NIOSH don’t yet thing. When you’re reading repeated That’s how insidious the drugs
have any definitive surveys or stats to stories about reviving the same problem is here.
1.
https://www.drugabuse.gov/related-topics/trends-statistics/overdose-death-rates
2.
https://ndews.umd.edu/sites/ndews.umd.edu/files/ndews-news-issue-5-november-2017.pdf
Professor Ray Zilinskas, director, chemical and biological weapons
CBRNeWORLD
nonproliferation programme at Middlebury Institute of International Studies,
talks to Gwyn Winfield about the Russians going back to their biological roots
The agent that came

in from the cold
GW: You have a new book out in blowback mean they will always have that it is being used all over the world
2018 with Philippe Mauger - intrinsic problems? for positive purposes, but if someone
Biosecurity in Putin’s Russia - and RZ: If they are going to get into an in a country like Russia wants to use
also gave a presentation on Putin’s offensive programme then they are it for illegal or evil purposes then we
likely biological warfare agent (BWA) going to have to take into account the just don’t know.
programme in Indianapolis. As with emerging biotech that has occurred
all politicians there is a world of since 2006, when synthetic bio became GW: In terms of ranking the two
difference between what Putin says the worry of our time. The Russians, threats, a Russian state programme
and what he does. So do you see like anyone else, will have been versus individual, non-state
some of his remarks, like his 2012 thinking about synthetic biology (syn CRISPR meddling, which would
comments with Minister of Defence bio) from the early 2000s, and now you prioritise?
Serdyukov, as traditional cold war with the gene editing improvements in RZ: You don’t have to worry about
sabre rattling or something concrete? the last two to three years we are terrorists acquiring and using these
What is there behind the rhetoric? seeing all kinds of possibilities. biotechnologies, but you can’t say that
RZ: They have reactivated active Russian scientists are keeping track of of Russia. They did some very
measures, as they used to do with the what emerging biotechnology advanced genetic engineering in
KGB in Soviet days. They also have organisations are doing, mostly in the Soviet times, with the vaccinia virus,
information warfare, and what they west, and will be learning how to do which is non-pathogenic and were able
are doing with bio is part of wide those things. to insert genes from pathogenic
ranging information warfare. viruses into the vaccinia in the lab.
GW: With syn bio does it become They were already working on complex
GW: BWAs had a complicated role in difficult to balance threats? Obviously viruses, not to the point of doing syn
the cold war as they were often felt to it is worse to have lots of PhDs in a bio, but they were doing more
be maverick agents, their potential swept up lab, than one guy sitting at advanced work than anyone else in the
once released was too unpredictable home with a CRISPR kit. But often world for nefarious purposes.
and as likely to bite the hand that fed that lone wolf doesn’t suffer from the
it. Has that changed? Are BWAs one bureaucracy, party politics etc, that GW: We’ve seen new stories about the
small part of a whole range of active bedevilled the Soviet system and US working in Ukrainian labs1, the
measures, or is there a desire with acted as a retardant on progress. How Moscow Times2 article etc. There is a
various ‘…omics’ to finally harness do you balance the renaissance in flip side, however, involving concerns
the bio weapon? Russian BW compared to the about ex-Soviet institutes in Georgia
RZ: I think they are involved in an potential low level CRISPR threat? with isotopes getting out of state
offensive bio programme. But that is RZ: All of this is dual use. We recently control, or plague institutes in the
my feeling from when my co-author had a symposium, with 60 scientists Crimea. With varying degrees of proof
and I spoke to Russian scientists who and diplomats, on export control for these stories appear on both sides
had emigrated to Sweden, the US or emerging biotech. The question was and tend to be a theme both sides
UK, and asked them: “What do you which biotech should have some form use. In terms of Russian use of these
think? Is the Putin administration of control; either hard control, legal themes, is it a serious attempt to
involved in an offensive bio things like export control, or soft prepare the Russian population,
programme?” Without exception they control, which are ethical things done typical Maskirovka or this week’s
said that they believe so. I believe the by members. When we came to background noise? Are these news
same thing. CRISPR we decided that we can’t do stories something serious?
anything about controlling them, they RZ: This is mostly for internal reasons.
GW: Do you think that with all these are all over the world. There are 60 They have articles about what the
improvements in science the time is patents in the US plus 20-30 patents in terrible Americans are doing in
now right for BWAs, or do you think other nations and it is spreading, so countries next door to Russia and are
problems with dissemination and how can you control it? The balance is worried about Nato being on their

CBRNeWORLD
The agent that came in from the cold
doorstep. The articles we have seen are you have the three ministry of and they shut the Biopreparat
pretty nasty, like the African swine defence institutes that were top secret institutes to foreigners, everything
fever article3, for example, where the during Soviet times and still are changed and then things got really
Russians accused the Georgians of today. What are all these labs doing? bad. It became worse in 2012 when
having dispersed that into Russia. Compliance reports from the US they reformed the academic system in
Some of the articles claim that state department for 2016/17 said: Russia. There’s a new ministry in
these labs are doing this because they “Although Russia inherited past charge of all the academies, for all
can get their hands on pathogens that offensive programmes of biological the state run labs, and that is run by
aren’t available in the US and research and development from the an individual who doesn’t know
weaponise strains of Yersinia pestis, Soviet Union, Russia’s annual BWC anything about science, yet is in
bacillus anthracis, Congo Crimea confidence building measures (CBM) charge of everything.
fever and so on. Those are mostly for submissions since 1992 have not Even in the worst days of the cold
internal purposes to scare their own satisfactorily documented whether war there was collaboration and good
population, but if they can promote the BW items under these transmission between the Soviet
these active measures in countries like programmes were destroyed or Academy of Sciences, the US National
Ukraine, Georgia and Kazakhstan then diverted to peaceful purposes, as Academy of Science and the Royal
maybe their people will be scared of required by article II of the BWC. In Society in the UK, and that continued
what the Americans are supposedly addition, Russian government during the worst times. Russian
doing in these labs. entities remained engaged in dual use scientists now have to get permission
activities during the reporting from the ministry to send an email or
GW: It does seem personally driven period… BWC states parties have a have any kind of communication with
by Putin, rather than an political commitment to declare past foreigners, and it is a bad situation.
institutionalised approach to offensive BW programmes. Under Another aspect of these active
promote syn bio etc. Do you feel this article II of the BWC, Russia is measures is if they had an offensive
is his latest bête noire, and that he’ll required to ‘destroy or to divert to BW programme and that became
move onto something else shortly, or peaceful purposes’ BW items specified known, then they could say: We are
is this now systemic and something in article I of the BWC… just doing what the Americans are
we have to live with? “It remains unclear whether doing, and we have to do the same.
RZ: We will have to live with this Russia has fulfilled its obligations
under Putin’s administration. The under article II to ‘destroy or to GW: One of your slides showed the
other thing worth considering is the divert to peaceful purposes’ the BW improvements in places like
transparency of the Russian labs. The items specified in article I of the Sverdlovsk between 2005 and 2015,
five anti-plague institutes are closed, BWC that it inherited from the Soviet but if you look at building work at
no foreigners are allowed in. We have Union because Russia’s BWC CBM ECBC, especially the new bio labs,
the Biopreparat Institutes, which submissions since 1992 have not then new developments in the two
were the civilian part of the Soviet satisfactorily documented whether locations would not seem dissimilar.
BWA programme. They were opened the BW items from these programmes The same is true of improvements in
after Yeltsin thanks to the were destroyed or diverted to Russian CBRN forces and American
comprehensive threat reduction peaceful purposes… The US routinely ones. So how much is necessary
(CTR) programme. informs Russia of US compliance refit and modernisation and how
I managed three projects that were findings and discusses with Russian much is worrying?
going on in two of the Biopreparat officials, more broadly, BWC RZ: There are two aspects to that. The
institutes, two in Obelensk, the implementation. The US continued to US has CBM 5 that are 200 pages long,
institute that looked at weapons based address BWC concerns with Russian and contain all the information, all
on bacterial pathogens, and then one officials in 2016.”4 the defensive work being done in US
in the institute of ultrapure biological labs is there. That differs from the
preparations in St Petersburg, where GW: When you combine all this you Russians’ CBM which is secret, and
they developed Pasechnik’s pathogens. have to reach the conclusion that only seen by the countries that are
Under the CTR these were open and BWA research has been going on for signatories to the BTWC, unlike the
transparent, but then when Putin a long time, if indeed it ever stopped. open version the US has. The US also
came in for the second time they were We’ve lived with it for at least six has reporters and journalists that
closed to outsiders. Vector, where years, so is there something that would love to find something and say:
they designed weaponised viruses for makes you think the threat is Look what these labs are doing, look
BWA purposes has a smallpox centre, accelerating? Is it just Putin at the research that goes beyond the
which is still open as the WHO people showing his hand, for either internal BTWC! That doesn’t happen in Russia.
inspect it every two to three years, or political machinations? Reporters cannot do that kind of stuff,
but the rest of Vector is closed. Then RZ: Since Putin came back in 2010, it is as bad as Soviet times.

CBRNeWORLD
GW: We’ve mentioned previously the be devastating… I am just guessing, theirs, too. I don’t see more
2012 declaration on radiation, however. I am worried about the transparency under Putin unless there
geophysical, wave, genetics, biological part, that is enough for me. is more pressure from a lot of BWC
psychophysical, and others. Do you state parties.
see bio being the first among equals, GW: There was a suggestion that the
or is it as a lesser concern as due to recent attacks against diplomats in GW: If we can’t see any positives on
the legacy of BWA in Russia we Cuba 6 were wave attacks. Do you feel the horizon is there only more of the
understand more about it than we that was a warning and a connection same? Do you feel particularly positive
might geophysical, for example? Do to Russian active measures, or is or negative on the outcomes?
you get a feel for where it is in this this a blind and we shouldn’t be too RZ: I don’t know what the outcomes
smorgasbord of devices? transfixed by it? will be. I wrote an occasional paper for
RZ: A lot of these are not illegal RZ: We have to pay it attention, but I the National Defense University7 on
under international law - geophysical really don’t know what it is. I am how when the Russians were working
wave, for example, though there is an pretty sure that Russian intelligence on the BTWC they also were acquiring
international environmental doesn’t want friendly relationships a programme contrary to the BWC.
protection law that states you can’t between the US and Cuba, though I Maybe for the same reason things will
have weapons that can influence the am sure that with the Trump happen under the Putin
environment. Most of these, the administration that won’t happen. administration, they could have a
beam, the psychophysical and other During Soviet times Cuban weapon system that would be stronger
technologies are not against intelligence was very close to the than anyone else’s and keep it in the
international law. When they say KGB and a lot of their people were background in case of need.
genetics that is pro forma, any trained by them in the Soviet Union, Could history be redoing itself?
weapon based on genetics would be a so there could be some hangers on Right now the Russians keep trying to
violation of BTWC. that don’t want Cuba to have a good weaken the methods used for chemical
relationship with the US. Maybe they or biological investigation. If there was
GW: Understood, it is analogous to are the ones using wave technology. a suspicion that one country had used
less lethal weapons, frowned on but BWA against another country the only
research still happens. Do you GW: If we move away from the investigation possible would be
think that even though they are not problem and towards the positive through the UN secretary general, if he
illegal they stand a chance of being things that can be done, the US is thought it was worthwhile, and I am
more effective than biological always trying to encourage dialogue pretty sure the Russians wouldn’t want
weapons? Are we right to worry on BWA, and historically there has that. They have vetoed the joint
most about bio? been positive dialogue between investigative mechanism (JIM) and the
RZ: I have no way of knowing that! Russian and American scientists. So next review conference is coming in
They are probably stronger in physics where do we intervene and stop this 2018. I feel they will try and weaken
and maths than they are in narrative and get a more positive the ability of the technical services to
biosciences, so they can probably do relationship? conduct investigations: vetoing JIM is
some pretty advanced things in the RZ: With the current administration I only the first part of weakening
ministry of defence (MoD). The don’t see it happening. I think the outsiders’ ability to conduct
physics labs are just as secretive as BWC state parties have to be more investigations. I’m hoping that my new
the bio ones, and they have this big worried about what is going on in book will encourage BWC state parties
chemical weapons plant that is still Russia, and it has to go beyond the US to get more involved as there is a lot of
active and who knows what is going and UK. There has to be more information they just don’t have. We
on. They supposedly destroyed their transparency, it can’t just be the US showed some of the people in the State
last chemical weapons, but what they coming up with a compliance report, Department an early draft and they had
could be doing with novichoks could other countries have to come up with no idea about the information available.
1
http://www.ibtimes.co.uk/russian-propaganda-machine-spreads-hacker-claim-that-us-testing-chemical-weapons-ukraine-
1636700
2
https://themoscowtimes.com/articles/is-the-us-suddenly-targeting-russians-with-bio-weapons-59464
3
http://en.abna24.com/news/comment/pentagon%E2%80%99s-biological-bomb-to-target-russia-iran-and-china_849319.html
4
https://www.state.gov/documents/organization/270603.pdf
5
http://www.biological-arms-control.org/publications/CBMReader2016_final.pdf
6
http://time.com/5051684/cuba-us-embassy-attack-brain/
7
http://ndupress.ndu.edu/Portals/68/Documents/occasional/cswmd/CSWMD_OccasionalPaper-11.pdf?ver=2016-07-18-
144946-743

CBRNe
SOUTH AMERICA
Gold Sponsor
March 7th 2018, UCA, Buenos Aires, Argentina

Speakers Include: South America has been cushioned over the
l Dr Maria Lourdes Olivera. Director, years from the State and terrorist
School of Policy and Government, UCA threat/usage of CBRN devices. Their threats
have largely been state on state, or
l TBC, Argentine Fire Service occasionally a long running campaign against
terrorist organisations using conventional
l David Smith, Nuclear Security Coordinator, weapons. High visibility events change that
IAEA LTC Jorge Frias Barrera, CBRN dynamic, and countries, such as Brazil, have
Company Commander, Argentine Army had to put in place a lot of capability in a
l Dr Caitriona McLeish, co-director of the relatively short time.
Harvard Sussex Program, Sussex University
Now it is Argentina’s turn, with multiple high
l Lt. Col. Vasconcelos, Commander 1st CBRN visibility events coming up, including the
Defense Battalion Brazilian Army Summer Youth Olympics and G20 summit
(the first-ever to be hosted in South
l Capt. Jose Maria Martin Corrochano,
America). In addition to this the region has a
Jefe Interino Plana Mayor del Grupo de
variety of emerging infectious disease issues
Intervención en Emergencias Tecnológicas y
and hazardous material challenges to be
Medioambientales, GIETMA
faced. CBRNe South America is the event to
l Augusto Garcia, Bomb Technician, visit to help you increase your knowledge and
National Police, Peru response capabilities.
For any questions or queries please contact

zoe.rutherford@cbrneworld.net
Don't miss out, book your FREE place now at

www.cbrneworld.com/southamerica2018
CBRNe 2018 Conference Programme

SOUTH AMERICA Updates to the programme can be viewed at
March 7. Catholic University of Argentina, Puerto Madero. Buenos Aires
08.00 Registration, teas and coffees

08.50 - 08.50 Welcome address – Dr Maria Lourdes Olivera. Director, School of Policy and Government, UCA
Introduction
09.00 Professor Maria Espona, UCA.
09.30 Professor Caitriona McLeish, co-director of the Harvard Sussex Program, Sussex University
10.00 Stefano Miorotti, Global Manager Cristanini Decontamination Systems, Cristanini
10.30 Coffee & Exhibition
High visibility events

11.00 TBC
11.20 Mike Brown, VP CBRN Defence Programme, Federal Resources
11.40 Lt. Col. Vasconcelos, Commander 1st CBRN Defense Battalion, Brazilian Army.
12.00 Samantha Ollerton, Forensic Science and Security Technology Expert, Rapiscan.
12.20 - 13.50 Lunch (On own)
Biological events
13.50 LTC Jorge Frias Barrera, CBRN Company Commander, Argentine Army
14.10 Matt Scullion, Vice president of sales and marketing, BioFire Defense.
Suspect packages
14.30 TBC
14.50 Dr Matthew Bloomfield, Sales Manager - Raman, Cobalt Light
Chemical events
15.40 Augusto Garcia, Bomb Technician National Police Peru,
16.00 Hamish De Bretton Gordon, Managing Director, Avon
16.20 Capt. Jose Maria Martin Corrochano, Jefe Interino Plana Mayor del Grupo de Intervención en
Emergencias Tecnológicas y Medioambientales, GIETMA.
16.40 TBC - FLIR
Rad events
17.30 David Smith, Nuclear Security Coordinator, Division of Nuclear Security, IAEA.
17.50 John Huppmann, Director Military and Security Programmes, America, Mirion
Reflections on CBRN defence

18.10 Comisario General Juan Benitez, Superintendent, Argentine Fire Service
18.30 TBC - Hotzone Solutions Group.
18.50 Drinks reception

CBRNe 2018 Sponsors and Exhibitors

SOUTH AMERICA Updates can be viewed at
Gold Sponsor
Cristanini
Since 1972, Cristanini has been creating and manufacturing innovative top quality solutions for CBRN
decontamination and detoxification that, today, enjoy a widespread appreciation and worldwide
recognition. Our extensive range of products, both for civilian/industrial and military sectors reaches
unprecedented technological sophistication and adaptability. Cristanini systems are reliable, ruggedized
and simple with one multispectral decon/detox product BX 24 effective against CWA, BWA, TICs and emerging diseases. Cristanini company is NATO
constructor A5009 since 1987, it has ISO 9001:2008 company quality system and, above all, is AQAP 2110 product quality certified.
Silver Sponsors
Federal Resources is a key provider of mission FLIR Detection is a leading supplier of field-ready Since 1993, Rapiscan Systems has installed over
critical solutions for protection, detection and products that accurately detect, classify, and identify 100,000 products in more than 100 countries.
safety products for the DoD, Federal, State and critical CBRNE threats. Our multi-purpose products Our experts will help find the perfect security
local agencies. Offering total life-cycle solutions easily transition into new roles as the mission solution for your needs. When searching for
from procurement, training, management and changes allowing our customers to extract the most potential bomb making materials an advanced
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advances organization segments delivering the user interfaces to expedite decision making for both Detectra is an advanced hand-held ETD system
support needed for any mission faced by field operators and advanced technicians. Not only designed to detect a wide range of explosives.
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third party tests and in real life missions. We offer
smart, simple, and
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no matter where the
mission takes you.
Bronze Sponsors
Avon Protection is the At BioFire Defense we deliver Resolve™ enables true Mirion Technologies Health Proengin develops and
recognized global market a fully integrated suite of through-barrier hazardous and Physics division provides manufactures biological and
leader in respiratory biological agent identification contraband materials ID; a Radiation Detection and chemical warfare agents field
protection system technology products, including the new capability for Hazmat, Protection Instruments. Our detectors using flame
specializing primarily in FilmArray system, and life EOD and law enforcement. organization is comprised of spectrometry: AP4C-handheld
Military, Law Enforcement, science systems to the The system works through 1000 talented professionals in chemical detector for CWA,
Firefighting, and Industrial. biodefense and first non-metallic barriers such as total who are passionate TICS and NTAs, AP4C-V
With an unrivalled pedigree in responder community. Our coloured plastics, glass, paper, about delivering world class aboard wheeled, tracked,
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advanced products are the that speed up medical results, materials include explosives, people, property and the Vehicles (UAV) reconnaissance
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users worldwide. secure. Simply put, we make agents and narcotics. and services from over a biological alarm, AP4C-VB and
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detection.
Exhibitors
Hotzone Solutions Group is an Meridian Medical Technologies, Inc., has
independent company with a first-class been putting emergency care treatment
reputation for providing a wide range of options into the hands of military and
training, equipment, security and consulting civilian defenders for more than 50 years. To discuss remaining sponsorship
services to the chemical, biological, Meridian is committed to help defend
radiological/ nuclear and explosives
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of Defense, Emergency Medical Services,
please contact
Homeland Security, and more than 30
nations around the world. david.levitt@cbrneworld.com
or
james.ross@cbrneworld.co.uk
John Hart and Ralf Trapp provide an update on
CBRNeWORLD
the Chemical Weapons Convention
Same, same?
Introduction analysis, conducted as part of the The OPCW’s declaration assessment
From 27 November to 1 December, the criminal investigation of this case. team (DAT) continues to seek further
22nd session of the Conference of the The CSP also had to deal with the clarity on the nature and role of
States Parties (CSP) to the 1993 continued CW use in Syria. An early facilities belonging to Syria’s Scientific
Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC) indicator for controversy among the Studies and Research Centre (SSRC). In
met in The Hague. The treaty regime member states on this matter became 2017 the technical secretariat
currently has 192 member states. South apparent when Human Rights Watch conducted two rounds of inspections of
Sudan has indicated its intention to (HRW) was excluded from participation SSRC facilities, triggered by the results
accede soon. The remaining non- in the CSP, apparently due to its of previous visits and the analysis of
members are Egypt, Israel and North reporting on CW use in Syria. The samples taken before 2017. The results
Korea. The CSP elected by consensus decision on NGO participation is taken indicated that Syria had not fully
Ambassador Fernando Arias of Spain as by consensus as a rule; the identity of disclosed all relevant chemicals of its
the fourth director general (DG) of the the CWC member state(s) that excluded CW programme.
Organisation for the Prohibition of HRW is not publicly clear. In 2017 the FFM - not to be
Chemical Weapons (OPCW). He will But before describing how the Syria conflated with the JIM - issued eight
take office on 25 July 2018. controversy affected the conference, it is reports dealing with three incidents of
worthwhile recalling the current status alleged CW use, as well as one summary
Key issues of the Syria file. report of investigation activities
This annual session of the CSP was a through 2017. The first report concerns
stepping stone towards next year’s The Syria file an incident involving the use of sulphur
fourth CWC review conference, and it The OPCW’s fact finding mechanism mustard on 16 September 2016 at Um
was routine business rather than a (FFM) has collected and analysed Housh1. The FFM interviewed casualties,
conference to take decisions on the numerous instances of suspected CW took blood samples for analysis, and
strategic orientation of the OPCW. use in Syria since it was established in examined a mortar round that had been
Topics considered included the status of 2014. The FFM’s information baseline made available by specialists from a
elimination of chemical weapons supported the work of the OPCW/UN Russian CBRN technical team through
programmes (more than 96% of joint investigative mechanism in Syria the Syrian SSRC in Barzi. The FFM
declared CW stockpiles have been (JIM) which, in turn, was established by confirmed that two female casualties
destroyed); preventing the re- UN security council resolution 2235 had been exposed to sulphur mustard,
emergence of chemical warfare, (2015). The JIM issued seven reports and that the 217mm calibre projectile
including through effective national and attributed responsibility for CW use did contain sulphur mustard.
implementation and verification in the to both the Syrian government and The second (preliminary) report,
chemical industry; evaluating the non-state actors. The JIM’s mandate dated 12 May 20172, concerned the sarin
impact of advances in science and ended in November 2017. incident at Khan Shaykhun on 4 April
technology on the regime; fostering The JIM issued the following 2017 which, in turn, prompted the US
international cooperation and assistance attributions: non-state actors: Marea to launch retaliatory Tomahawk cruise
in the field of chemical activities; and (21 Aug 2015), Um Housh (16 Sep missile strikes against Syria the same
achieving universal membership. 2016). Syrian government: Talmenes month. This report was followed by a
Other issues that drew attention (21 Apr 2014), Qmenas (16 Mar 2015), full FFM report on 29 June 20173, which
included the aerosolisation of Sarmin (16 M 2015), and Khan concluded that a large number of people
chemicals that act on the central Shaykhun (4 Apr 2017). were exposed (some died) to sarin or a
nervous system (CNS) for law Of the 27 CW production facilities sarin-like substance that originated
enforcement purposes, and the declared by Syria, the final two (Al from a single crater caused by an aerial
February 2017 killing of Kim Jong-nam Dhamir 1 and Al Dhamir 2 - located munition (either an air-launched rocket
by VX at Kuala Lumpur International near Aleppo and Damascus) that had or aerial bomb). For some of the
Airport 2 (KLIA2) by two women whose remained outside Syrian government samples analysed, normal OPCW chain
trial is ongoing. No authoritative control were finally visited by OPCW of custody was not observed. The FFM
information was publicly circulated at late in 2017 due to a progressive did not deploy to Khan Shaykhun4, but
the CSP on Malaysia’s sampling and reduction in fighting. attended autopsies in a neighbouring

CBRNeWORLD
Same, same?
country, collected biomedical Status of ACW operations in China16.

specimens, and received environmental
samples from third parties. DNA Site Destruction approach Status
analysis of third party biomedical Guangzhou MDF Site selection underway.
samples and the samples collected by
Haerbaling TDF CDC & SDC Operations since 2014, with 7,112
the FFM team itself allowed the FFM to
ACW destroyed as of Nov 2017.
link individuals that it interviewed and
who tested positive for sarin to samples Harbin MDF CDC Under construction.
collected in Khan Shaykhun by third Nanjing MDF CDC Operations completed in 2012, with
parties. The FFM also received samples 35,861 ACW destroyed.
from the government of Syria, which Shijiazhuang CDC Operations completed in Dec 2016,
were analysed by the OPCW laboratory MDF with 2,567 ACW destroyed.
as well as two designated laboratories,
showing the presence of, among others, Taiyuan MDF Site selection underway.
sarin, diisopropyl methylphosphonate Wuhan MDF CDC Operations completed in 2015, with
(DIMP) and hexamine5. 264 ACW destroyed.
A third incident investigated by the
FFM in 2017 related to the alleged use CDC: cold detonation chamber/controlled detonation chamber;
in March 2017 of a CW in Ltamenah, MDF: mobile destruction facility; SDC: static detonation chamber;
Hama governorate. The FFM was unable TDF: temporary destruction facility.
to visit the incident location. It
interviewed casualties and treating under international law committed in Russia’s opening plenary statement
medical staff in a neighbouring country, the Syrian Arab Republic since March was that criticisms concerning the
however, and received environmental 2011”9. This body is mandated to completeness and correctness of Syria’s
samples, including munitions parts. A “cooperate closely” with the declarations at OPCW and the JIM
report on the analysis of these soil and independent international commission conclusions holding Syria responsible
metal samples confirmed the presence of inquiry on the Syrian Arab Republic, for CW use are politically motivated.
of sarin and a number of degradation which has already confirmed a number Russia characterised unnamed CWC
products and products related to sarin of CW uses in its previous reports. The states parties as sponsors of “extremism”
synthesis6. In November 2017, the FFM resolution also calls on all parties to the and “terrorism” in the Syrian civil war
published its report on the incident, conflict as well as civil society to and criticised the US delegation for
concluding that it was more than likely cooperate fully with the mechanism. exhibiting “emotionalism”.
that sarin had been used in Ltamenah7. Syria stated its continued
The FFM has also just published a Syria and the 22nd CSP session willingness to work with the OPCW on
summary report of all the incidents it The Syria issue overshadowed the 22nd questions concerning the completeness
investigated during 2017, based on CSP, although this is not apparent from and correctness of its declarations. It
information received from the Syrian the final conference report. The sole also reiterated its commitment to the
government (including six requests for (implicit) reference to the issue is the object and purpose of the CWC and
investigation of specific incidents), data notion that Belarus introduced a joint called for achieving a WMD-free zone in
its information cell recorded from open declaration entitled: United for the the Middle East.
sources and information provided by World Free of Chemical Weapons. It The US emphasised: “Chemical
OPCW member states, the UN, NGOs eschewed attributing any responsibility weapons use by the Syrian Arab
and potential witnesses8. The FFM is for CW use to the Syrian government, Republic remains the most serious
continuing to document allegations of stating: “Investigations of the use of violation of the CWC in the convention’s
CW use, and to further analyse the chemical weapons, conducted by the 20-year history, and the greatest
information it has collected so far. OPCW, should be professional and be modern challenge to the global norm
In view of the fact that the JIM’s based on objective and thoroughly against CW use”. EU member states
mandate was not renewed in November, verified evidence. Their conclusions, (individually and collectively) echoed
some governments are focusing thus made, should be brought to the this view.
attention on the implementation of UN attention of competent international Essentially only western European
general assembly resolution 71/248 entities for appropriate decisions to be and other group (WEOG) states sought
which seeks to hold those responsible taken”10. Angola, Bolivia, Burundi, to hold the Syrian government
for CW use in Syria through the work of China, Gambia, Iran, Kazakhstan, responsible for CW use in their public
an “international, impartial and Malawi, Nicaragua, Philippines, Russia, statements. China, India, Jordan,
independent mechanism to assist in the South Africa, Sudan, Syria, Togo and Pakistan, as well as the Africa group and
investigation and prosecution of persons Venezuela associated themselves with the Latin American and Caribbean
responsible for the most serious crimes this statement.11 group (GRULAC) more generally,

CBRNeWORLD
refrained from taking a public position we would be turning a blind eye to the the ACW in China by 202215.
on Syrian government responsibility for threat that CNS-acting chemicals pose
CW use. to the CWC - a threat that will increase, Looking ahead
not decrease, over time.” Superficially, the report of the 22nd
Other issues In 2017 Russia completed the session of the CSP conveys a business as
Drawing on the efforts of Switzerland destruction of its CW stockpile. The usual message and highlights
over the past several years, 39 states Russian delegation at the CSP thanked achievements towards freeing the world
issued a joint paper drawing attention those states that had assisted in this of CW. The controversy over the
to the potential dangers posed by CNS- effort whose combined contributions for responsibility for the use of CW in Syria
acting chemicals to the object and over 20 years comprised approximately and the inability of the OPCW to find a
purpose of the CWC. These states called 10% of the total destruction cost13. CW. common approach towards resolving a
for further clarification of positions on The OPCW conducted six case of fundamental non-compliance,
this matter among the member states12. inspections of old chemical weapons however, must prompt serious longer-
The US queried: “If our first (OCW) in Belgium, France, Germany, term concern.
responders are at risk when they Italy, Panama, and the UK. One can only hope that preparations
encounter illicit fentanyl, how can our The principal remaining abandoned for the upcoming fourth review
unsuspecting populations be safe when chemical weapons (ACW) are those conference will permit the member
fentanyl is aerosolised and used as a law abandoned by Japan in China at the end states to return to a sense of common
enforcement tool? Despite these of the second world war. As of 31 October purpose, and, in so doing, find the
dangers, countries continue to pursue 2017 62,416 ACW had been declared and means of closing the Syria file in a
these chemicals. If we do not seriously 48,851 destroyed14. Japan expressed the manner that preserves the integrity of
confront this issue here in The Hague, hope of completing the destruction of the CWC and its institutions.
1
OPCW document S/1491/2017. 2
OPCW document S/1510/2017.
4
For a detailed explanation see OPCW document S/1545/2017. 5
6
9
UN document A/RES/71/248.
10
Belarus, ‘Joint declaration: united for a world free of chemical weapons’, undated, unnumbered CSP document.
11
Report of the Twenty-Second Session of the Conference of the States Parties: 27 November-1 December 2017, OPCW
document C-22/5, 1 Dec. 2017, para. 25.8, pp. 17-18.
12
The states are: Albania, Argentina, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Bulgaria, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Croatia, Cyprus,
Czech Republic, Ecuador, Estonia, Finland, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Japan, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, New
Zealand, Norway, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Senegal, Slovenia, South Korea, Spain, Switzerland, Turkey, United
Kingdom, United States and Uruguay. ‘Joint paper: aerosolisation of central nervous system-acting chemicals for law
enforcement purposes’, OPCW document C-22/NAT.5, 28 Nov. 2017.
13
I.e., Belgium, Canada, Czech Republic, Finland, France, Ireland, Italy, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Poland,
Switzerland, Sweden, United Kingdom, United States and West Germany.
14
Japan, ‘5. Achievements and PLAN’, poster 5. Poster exhibit at 22nd CSP, The Hague, 27 Nov.-1 Dec. 2017.
15
Japan, ‘Statement by HE Mr Hiroshi Inomata, Ambassador of Japan and Permanent Representative of Japan to the OPCW at
the Eighty-Sixth Session of the Executive Council of the OPCW’, 10-13 Oct. 2017, The Hague, p. 3.
16
Japan, ‘3. Overview: destruction operations’,
poster 3. Poster session at 22nd CSP, The Hague,
27 Nov.-1 Dec. 2017.
Are CW in the Levant an ongoing

problem, or solely linked to the
Syrian conflict and Daesh? ©DoD

CBRNeWORLD
Zoe Rutherford gets revved up by the latest CBRNe Convergence in Indianapolis!
Full Throttle
T
he iconic surroundings of the of these chemicals as an FBI
Indianapolis Motor Speedway technician padded out to the gravel
(IMS) were the setting for the and carefully mixed two plastic cups of
10th annual CBRNe Convergence from liquid which then began to bubble
6 to 8 November 2017. This event away before igniting in a burst of
marked our 10-year anniversary, and flame and smoke. Next was the
what an occasion it was! Despite a conventional explosives
o o
rather brisk 7.2 C (45 F), the IMS demonstration. The technicians had
welcomed us warmly, along with over prepared and rigged various types of
300 delegates, 40 speakers, and more explosives for us to observe. These had commander for the Joint Task
than 50 exhibitors for three days of been mixed in differing ratios to Force Civil Support (JTFCS), US
demonstrations, presentations and demonstrate the power of the devices Northern Command, Gregory Sayles,
exhibits at one of our most successful from low to high yield. Due to the director, National Homeland Security
events to date. nature of the speedway sound waves Research Centre, Environmental
from the larger explosions rippled Protection Agency (EPA), and by
Pre-Conference workshop through the metal stands and Colonel Henry Neumann, commander
Convergence began on 6 November reverberated around the track, as well CBRN Defence Command, Bundeswehr.
with a chemical industry outreach as making our ribs rattle! Each plenary delivered an interesting
workshop lead by Special The day concluded talk on current and future CBRNe
Agent Bomb with an icebreaker drinks response, how this can be improved
Technician reception at the Omni and the work they are doing in their
(SABT) John Severin Hotel, which was respective fields to accomplish this.
Bates, FBI. sponsored by Engility. After a well-earned coffee break,
The morning The night was a sponsored by BBI Detection, and
session saw the resounding success with another chance to visit the exhibition
delegates the delegates mingling stands, it was time for delegates to
receive and getting to know one decide which of the presentation
briefings from another prior to the first streams to attend. The first two
experts on full day of Convergence streams of the day focussed on local
improvised on 7 November. response (stream A), and response
explosives (IE), north of the border (stream B).
explosive Day one Stream A heard talks by Lieutenant
precursor Registration opened at Ron Humbert, bomb squad
chemicals (EPC) 8am, the delegates
and about the arriving with smiles as they entered
FBI’s WMD directorate’s work in the iconic IMS venue. The day began
mitigating EPC threats. with coffee and a chance to browse
The afternoon went with a real bang the exhibition stands before the first
as delegates were ushered out to one part of the presentation schedule
of the speedway infields to watch a began.
demonstration of both conventional Everyone was welcomed to the
and improvised explosives. Although a 10th anniversary show by Gwyn
tad chilly, everyone thoroughly enjoy Winfield, chair for the event and
themselves as SABT Bates introduced editor of CBRNe World. Gwyn was
the various chemicals laid out on a followed by welcome addresses from
table in front of him and explained the FBI’s Bruce Guider and W Jay
what they were and what type of Abbott, and Mike Bates of IMS
explosive or incendiary device they security. This was followed by
would create when mixed. plenary sessions from Robert Jones,
This was followed by an educational assistant director, WMD Directorate, commander, Indianapolis
(and fun) demonstration of the power FBI, Michael Collins, deputy to the Metropolitan Police Department

CBRNeWORLD
(IMPD), Mike Bates, director, IMS, In a slight change to the
John Ball, vp, security and event programme, and the north of the
services, Pacers Sports and border theme, we heard from Deputy
Entertainment and Peter Vicini, District Chief Glen Lyman, Chicago
intelligence analyst, FBI. Each Fire Department, who made a
presentation focussed on the many, presentation on the development of the
and varied, planning tasks and Chicago Joint Hazard
techniques that Assessment Team (JHAT)
go into programme, its current
ensuring operability, and future
safety and plans.
security at After a delicious
numerous lunch, sponsored by ITL
major events Solutions, delegates
held year- again had a choice of
round in lecture streams. The
Indianapolis. first two streams of the investigation of clandestine labs and the
Canadian afternoon were stream way drugs and explosives overlap in
responders C which focused on them, along with evolving CBRNe
Sergeant training and stream D threats and emerging technologies. The
Stephen on decontamination. speakers were Michael Dickens, business
Tweddle, CBRN The stream C manager applied genomics, Battelle, Dr
response team, presentations were Jarrad Wagner, director, Centre for
Toronto Police delivered by Phil Tackett, product Health Sciences, Oklahoma State
Department, Martin Davey, CBRNe manager, FLIR mass spectrometry University, and Dr Christina Baxter, ceo,
technician, Ottawa Fire Service, and Sgt. solutions, and a joint effort from two Emergency Response TIPS.
Alain Hudon, counter terrorism and FBI senior special agents Dan Einhaus, Stream F saw presentations from
emergency measures section, Montreal of the WMD operations response unit Maarten Vliet and Sergeant Major
Police Department addressed stream B. and Brad Geeslin of the FBI laboratory Machiel Kloopmen, CBRN school,
Every presentation gave a fascinating forensic response section. Netherlands Ministry of Defence, David
insight into the work being done by the Stream D heard presentations by Dr Fraser of BBI Detection and Bill
various teams in Canada. We heard Robert Chilcott, head of toxicology, Guglielmo from ITL Solutions. The
about the history of Canadian CBRNE University of Hertfordshire, and Robert presentations were varied, covering
teams and the current R Hook vp, CBRNE, health and civil military cooperation in the
trends and threats security, Engility,
they are facing, on decon-
including fentanyl tamination and
and carfentanyl risks enhancing
to first responders, capabilities to
multi threat terrorist counter WMDs.
attacks involving Again, we were
CBRN agents, and privileged to hear
the intricacies of two very
combating CBRNE enlightening
threats in complex lectures discussing
political mass casualty
landscapes. decontam-ination, a
Speakers stressed review of the new UK
the importance of and US response
both integrated multi-disciplinary procedures, decon
response in such cases and validation of practices best avoided, the challenges of
response plans and procedures, research and technology development Netherlands, the crisis response unit,
including those involving in CBRNE, and future challenges to its future scope and developments,
interoperability. Neither was the advanced research and development. innovative approaches and
importance of routinely evaluating The final streams of the day were E technologies in dry decontamination
one’s capacity to respond to such and F. Stream E addressed integrated and how a solution is developed, high
incidents forgotten. approaches to biological forensics, the mobility decontamination systems and

CBRNeWORLD
Full Throttle
one of the IMS enclosures for the first

part of the dynamic demonstration. As
they settled in an IMPD police officer
introduced the scenario that was about
to unfold. Right away a beaten old
brown van approached from the
distance with two IMPD cruisers in
pursuit. As they got closer the cruisers’
bull horns sprang to life with
instructions for the van to pull over
and the occupants to put their hands
out of the windows. Teams of officers
then showed us their procedures for
stop, search and detainment.
singular systems to decontaminate Next, we all moved inside for the Attendees seemed to get real
people, vehicles and equipment. second part of the demonstration. enjoyment from watching the
At the end of the day everyone Again we were briefed on the demonstrations and were able to head
gathered in the main exhibition area for outside afterwards, speak to the
a drinks reception sponsored by Passport participants, and get hands on with the
Systems, and more networking. equipment used. The demos were
carried out flawlessly and we cannot
Day two thank our new friends from the FBI,
The second day of Convergence Indianapolis Fire Department and
promised more fascinating lectures IMPD enough for the time, effort and
and, excitingly, a multi-agency dynamic hard work they put into this for us.
demonstration from local Indianapolis The afternoon saw the lucky winners
responders. of the Veteran Corps of America draw
We started with plenary sessions claim their prize - a trip around the
from Dr Ray Ziliniskas, director, motor speedway in a pace car! From
chemical and biological weapons non- the faces of those coming off the track
proliferation programme, Middlebury they certainly had an amazing time.
Institute of International Studies, Dr We then returned to the
Ed van Zalen, programme manager presentations. The first two streams of
CBRN, Netherlands Forensic Institute, scenario, and everyone turned towards the afternoon looked at high visibility
Brigadier General Roberto Biselli, the sound of van doors being closed events (stream G) and healthcare and
medical services, Italian Airforce, and outside and the sight of special CBRN (stream H).
Colonel Dr Sermet Sezigen, assistant weapons and tactics (SWAT) officers in Stream G received presentations by
professor, full tactical gear and respirators with Gareth Roberts, CBRN team, South
department of weapons at the ready. Wales Police and
medical CBRN The SWAT officers
defence, Turkey. entered the area we
The speakers were in and began to
covered many demonstrate how they
different topics would enter and search a
including the suspicious property,
European which in this instance
approach to was set up to resemble a
CBRN forensics, clan lab making ricin.
Russian This included subduing
biodefence, and detaining anyone in
aeromedical the property as well as the
management of forensic collection
patients infected techniques they employ.
with BSL-4 agents, and the lessons Once this section of
learned from recent chemical attacks the demonstration was over they
in Syria. moved on to show and describe how Samantha Ollerton, forensic science
At 11:30am everyone headed out to they decontaminate their gear. and security technology expert,

CBRNeWORLD
US bioterrorism response and Shannon David Fraser – Product and
Serre from the Environmental marketing manager, BBI Detection.
Protection Agency (EPA) on “This is my third CBRNe
underground transport restoration Convergence here in the US and I
following a biological incident. In a
keep coming back because it’s the
last-minute substitution for stream I,
Major General (Ret). Masahiko Hamada right people, at the right time, with
kindly delivered a presentation on his the right knowledge. It’s a great mix
experiences at Fukushima. of talks, presentations and
Stream J heard presentations from exhibitors; an opportunity for us to
Jared B Goff of Fairfax County Fire and build our brand, increase our
Rescue Department on first responder presence and make sure we deliver
preparedness for a complex future requirements.”
coordinated attack, and Karel
Rapiscan Systems, on two Lehmert, head of the CBRN Division at
different aspects of dealing with high Brno University, who discussed
visibility events. CBRNE covert distribution of meth contamination. Martin Davey – Ottawa Fire Service
deployment and tactics for covert So that was it for another year, as This is my second CBRNe
action, even when out in the open were quickly as it came around, Convergence, and they do this well.
covered together with the challenges Convergence was over again. We’d like I have attended other CBRNE
this brings such as scene examination to offer our conferences across the world and
vs community impact. The thanks to the CBRNe Convergence does it right.
challenges and experiences IMS for hosting
of deploying explosive trace
It’s excellent, it’s worth every
us, to the FBI
detection equipment in minute you spend here.
(especially
theatre were also addressed, Bruce Guider) It’s awesome.”
including issues like and local
detection probability versus responders for
screening procedures. supporting Bruce Guider – WMD Coordinator
Stream H looked at us, and to all Indiana, FBI.
healthcare aspects of dealing the “Being able to help host in Indiana
with CBRN with presentations exhibitors
by Ryan Gregerson, product has been a great experience for us.
and
marketing manager, BioFire delegates
It’s my third year at Convergence
Defence, and Lt Col Carlos that made it and the training is outstanding. The
Javier Armada Vazquez, chief of quality and content is really
technologies and a great event. Thankfully I had the amazing, not to mention all the
environmental disaster intervention chance to spend time talking to our vendors. It’s definitely good to foster
group (GIETMA), Spanish Emergencies delegates and exhibitors to see what relationships and partnerships
Military Unit. Both talks were very they thought and get their feedback, during Convergence. It’s been an
interesting, giving the delegates an here’s what some of them had to say: outstanding opportunity.”
opportunity to learn about the use of
the FilmArray system in clinical
diagnostics and BioThreat
identification, and the mission, concept Wendy Klausing - Vertical
and framework of the Spanish Marketing Manager, FLIR Systems.
military’s GIETMA unit. “One of the reasons we love this
The final streams, I and J gave the show is the high level of attendees
call for papers winners a chance to that come to the show from all over
deliver presentations on their chosen
the world. We can reach both
topics. We had a nice variety this year.
In Stream I was Byron Marsh from the military and civil responders at the
Idaho National Laboratories presenting same time and have in-depth
on post radioactive destruction device conversations about all things
(RDD) detonation response, David Ladd CBRNe. It’s an all-round great event
from Blackthorn Services Group for us and we are looking forward to
discussing a new model proposed for Orlando next year.”

CBRNeWORLD Jeffrey Bigongiari looks at the malaise affecting the DHHS

and wonders whether the patient will survive
Trumpbamalama
My dad and I were in Memphis. It
doesn't matter why, but our visit
happened to coincide with the arrival
of a travelling exhibition of major
artifacts from the wreck of RMS
Titanic. "Please, papa, can we go?" I
asked, only to have my dreams
crushed. "Why the hell would I do that
to myself?" my dad responded. “Christ,
I already know how it ends."
President Trump has not rewritten
what it means to be president. He does,
however, have a larger microphone and
a better nuclear arsenal than, for
example, Millard Fillmore, who was too
busy opposing the annexation of Texas
to grab anything or anyone by their
genitalia. Regardless of who is in
power, public displays of righteous
indignation actually fuel the city of
Washington. Of course, such a theory
is not based on scientific evidence, so it
“It’s a bigly thing, the destruction of words.” ©DoD
may be more of the same poppycock,
hogwash, or balderdash. Initially, Trump signalled his After Congress failed to repeal the
So, anyone who was paying administration's willingness to put a ACA and Price flamed out, the
attention on 8 November 2016, political ideologue in charge of a administration signalled its enthusiasm
undoubtedly noticed the lights were a department with a $1.15tn budget. for leaving the department in grown up
little brighter as the city's young Before his brief tenure as HHS hands while it pursued other priorities.
professionals espoused their principles secretary, former Georgia Rep Tom Trump's new pick to lead HHS is Alex
and waited for Hillary Clinton's Price was a fierce critic of the Affordable Azar, a former executive at
concession speech. Some left soon after Care Act (ACA - also known as pharmaceutical powerhouse Eli Lilly.
with their principles more or less Obamacare) and more than likely Additionally, Azar spent six years at
intact, albeit with fewer friends. Most provided at least some inspiration for HHS with the George W Bush
stayed. Among those brave civil Kevin Spacey's character in House of administration. The potential secretary
servants to stick it out was President Cards. Price, a real doctor, was has been a harsh critic of the ACA but
Donald Trump. Despite claims to the considered a seasoned health policy has avoided taking on the role of
contrary, he is president, and his plans legislator. Once confirmed, he worked ideologue in favour of public servant.
include transforming US health policy within the agency's powers to curtail Democrats may not be getting in line to
and the institutions that support it, portions of the ACA from operating as confirm Azar, but his pragmatic
particularly the Department of Health originally envisioned. According to approach and conciliatory overtures
and Human Services (HHS) and the some at the White House, Price was regarding the National Institutes of
Centers for Disease Control and noticeably absent during the failed Health (NIH) and the opioid crisis offers
Prevention (CDC). legislative pushes to dismantle hope that as long as the White House
Obamacare. He was busy flying too close remains distracted, things might return
The majority of the time, he just wore to the sun, probably in a chartered to a modicum of stability. At least health
khakis and a dress shirt. No Italian aircraft at taxpayers' expense. Before in the US might be left with stable
suits, you know? No fancy car. I can stepping down as HHS secretary, Price people in charge until the next fight.
tell you, he’s one of the most frugal, promised to reimburse the government
cost-minded, average guys out there. $52,000 for his domestic travel, which Can you be my doctor for everything?
Anthony-Scott Hobbs, Georgia may, or may not come from his alleged from CDC Director Brenda Fitzgerald's
republican dubious investments in artificial hips. 2010 website

CBNRe europe 2018 -fullpage - large.pdf 1 07/12/2017 21:17
Endorsed
by
Scientific
Partners
CBRNe SUMMIT EUROPE

ROME, ITALY 17TH – 19TH APRIL 2018
Esteemed Speaker List:

Brigadier General Sossio Andreottola, Head, Joint NBC Military School, Ministry of Defence, Italy
Brigadier General Roberto Biselli, Deputy Head, Health Service, Italian Air Force
Rear Admiral Pasquale Guerra, Commander, Naval Air Training Center, Italian Navy
Colonel Pietro Spagnoli, Commander of 3rd Wing, Italian Air Force
Colonel Fabrizio Benigni, Commander of the 7th NBC Defense Regiment "CREMONA", Ministry of Defence, Italy
William Alberque, Head, Arms Control and Coordination Section, Political Affairs and Security Policy Division, NATO
C Colonel Volker Quante, Deputy Director, NATO JCBRN Defence Centre of Excellence
M
Major Olivier Rousseau, Head, Joint CBRN Sector, Ministry of Defence, Belgium
Y
Inspector Ian Stubbs, Operations & Performance, National CBRN Centre, National Counter Terrorism Police, United Kingdom
CM
Dr. Maurizio Barbeschi, Scientist, World Health Organisation (WHO)
MY
Dr. Patrick Mullan, Team Leader Chemical Biological (CB) Response Team, DSTL
Dr. Francesco Marelli, CBRN Risk Mitigation and Security Governance Programme, United Nations Interregional Crime and Justice Research
CY
CMY
Institute (UNICRI)
Dr. Antonio Fasanella, Head of Anthrax Reference Institute, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale of Puglia and Basilicata, Italy
K
Professor Robert Chilcott, Head of Toxicology, University of Hertfordshire

Professor Roberto Mugavero, President, OSDIFE
OFFICIAL SITE VISIT AND LIVE EXERCISE

On 19th April 2018 we are pleased to announce an official site visit and live demonstration hosted by the
7TH NBC DEFENSE REGIMENT “CREMONA”
SPONSORS AND EXHIBITORS
Organised by:
e: events@intelligence-sec.com | t: +44(0)1582 346706 | www.intelligence-sec.com

CBRNeWORLD
Trumpbamalama
Conservative lawmakers protested to particular words and whether or not If CDC budget requests are altered
the announcement that Dr Francis those words contain hyphens. HHS by their authors so a few legislators can
Collins would remain at his post spokesman Matt Lloyd had the pretend they are magic-based or faith-
directing the NIH. Dr Brenda Fitzgerald unenviable task of relaying his based, it may be time to give up all
was selected to take over running the superiors' disassociation from reality in together on the American experiment.
CDC from Dr Tom Frieden, who spent the best possible light. Lloyd concluded: And while there is a broad
eight years at the helm of the agency "HHS also strongly encourages the use understanding that censorship can be
and served as its often very public face. of outcome and evidence data in both trivial and important
Despite her connection to Newt programme evaluations and budget simultaneously, there is no room in the
Gingrich, Fitzgerald was viewed as a decisions." His LinkedIn page gives no current political atmosphere for
moderate until last weekend. The CDC insight into what this actually means, agreeing to disagree, only disagreeing
and the Agency for Toxic Substances but according to Lloyd, Lloyd is an and doing so with as much vehemence
and Disease Registry (ATSDR) are both effective manager who has had a as possible. For every reasonable
facing budget cuts of 17% as demanded decade long relationship with Vice explanation of why it is a slippery slope
by the administration. In the face of the President Mike Pence and other 'high- to incentivise the self-censorship of
opioid epidemic, zika virus, and the profile reputations’. scientific budget requests based on
anti-vaccine movement, which The reviews were mostly negative, ideological beliefs, there are a dozen
Fitzgerald does not support, the space maybe. For example, Rep Tom Cole (R- other explanations that rely solely on
for ideology free science was limited. It Okla), chairman of the House the veneer that we believe 'words are
was probably a bad omen when Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, power' and truth is power. If that were
Frieden's predecessor, Dr Julie Health and Human Services, Education the actually the case, I would be
Gerberding, reacted to the news of and Related Agencies, said he was president and foetuses would be called
Fitzgerald's appointment by stressing “alarmed” and plans to speak with proto-Tonydentons because I decided it
that the CDC director's most important Fitzgerald. He then countered with a would be that way.
role “is to make sure that science rules brilliant suggestion that the whole thing Bureaucracies bloat. They are not
as the foundation of public health and was really just “silly” not “sinister”. The models of efficiency and never will be. If
policy decisions”. CDC may be more sensitive than other they were, they would be in the private
federal agencies to reacting against sector, retire early, and live in Florida.
You ought to be reading books, not political pressure, but it receives broad The lure of higher pay and somewhere
burning them! based bipartisan support and prides itself to live that’s nicer than Atlanta or the I-
Indiana Jones's dad on avoiding politicisation. 95 corridor will always be there for
Senior current and former CDC those with the skills and education, and
Maybe Fitzgerald did not get officials, possibly drunk on the power of little interest in public service. Others
Gerberding's message. If she had, one pure science, expressed their initial working in public health rely on the
would like to think that she might have concern about Trump administration creation of an institutional memory in
tried harder to keep the policy in terms of the president's order to innovate and problem solve.
administration's decision to prohibit the known dislike of foreign aid The state department's evisceration
CDC from using seven words in its programmes as opposed to any personal might be entertaining to watch, but it
budgeting documents on the down low. hatred for the use of rational problem carries with it the risk that only the
According to the Washington Post, solving skills. By now, however, wiliest will survive and rebuild when
senior CDC officials told policy analysts everything seems a little more sinister Trump is gone and hiring increases.
that the banned words are: vulnerable, in Washington. Generally, when a story The state department is not HHS,
entitlement, diversity, transgender, breaks on a Friday afternoon, it is however. For HHS, and the CDC in
foetus, science-based, and evidence- orchestrated that way to avoid attention. particular, once the expertise runs for
based. The briefing apparently took an Freedom rarely takes the weekend off, the door, it is generally gone for good.
hour and a half, presumably in order to but one must assume a level of There are fewer US Agency for
argue over whether science-based and increased tension at the nation's International Development (USAID) and
evidence-based count as four words or premier public health organisation. Peace Corps type agencies ready to fill
just two, and which dictionary would be Fitzgerald reacted to the bruhaha the slots with researchers who have a few
the official dictionary if any additional following day. "I want to assure you that years to kill or who want to go to Sudan
words had to be looked up. CDC remains committed to our public for a really great experience. Politicising
A second agency under HHS was health mission as a science- and the agency could serve a multitude of
given similar guidance. Officials evidence-based institution,” she wrote short term purposes, but ultimately
acknowledged that the language in an email to CDC staffers, adroitly puts the nation at risk, if for no other
restriction was unusual and declined to using only one of the banned words, or reason than the choice of any side
speculate as to whether other federal two depending on which dictionary is automatically limits its functioning to
agencies have been instructed to avoid eventually made official. the other.

Doctors Christina Baxter, Michael Logan, Sharyn Gaskin and Dino Pisaniello
CBRNeWORLD
take an evidence-based approach to the mass decontamination paradigm
Paradigm shift
Introduction The last group also known as the precious resources can then be applied
Accidental or intentional releases of worried well, may self-present to first to the areas of greatest need at the
toxic gases or vapours are the most responders at the scene, or at nearby incident.
common type of hazardous material hospitals or medical facilities. They Can we find a way to objectively
(hazmat) incidents causing human impose further demands on valuable reduce mass decontamination of
injuries. Typically, these releases are resources and add to the potential delay exposed persons without comprising
associated with industrial accidents (eg in identifying and treating those their health?
a chlorine gas release after a train needing lifesaving medical treatment. This article considers this question and
derailment in South Carolina) and Globally, the default approach is to applies recent research into the nature
terrorism-related events (eg the Tokyo decontaminate the skin of all exposed of the interaction of gases/vapours with
subway nerve agent sarin attack). persons regardless of whether or no the skin during mass decontamination
Historically, deliberate releases of they exhibit symptoms, using field operations.
hazardous materials and chemical portable shower systems. Jurisdictions The skin plays an important role
agents have been sparse. Nonetheless, in across the world have invested hundreds preventing the ingress of chemicals,
the last few years, deliberate releases of of millions of dollars establishing and particularly gases or vapours, into the
chlorine, mustard agent, and sarin in extending their field deployable mass body. However, in a hazmat context
Iraq and Syria have occurred decontamination resources. there has been limited evidence
illustrating continuing nation and Nonetheless, a significant incident will describing the extent of the risk that
terrorist group interest. This ongoing likely rapidly overwhelm the available skin contact and absorption of gases or
interest poses significant challenges to field deployable hazmat mass vapours poses. A variety of factors affect
emergency responders globally to decontamination capacity. the skin’s (dermal) absorption of
ensure they are prepared to manage the Studies have reported1-3 on refining the chemicals, particularly gases and
consequences of a release particularly mass decontamination process, but have vapours, including skin thickness, skin
of gases and vapours. not asked the question: Do affected integrity (damage/disease), clothing,
Hazardous materials have significant persons need decontamination after temperature and properties of the
effects on public health and impose exposure to gases and vapours? chemical itself. There also remain many
significant demands on hazmat Reducing the number of people to be questions about the role clothing plays,
response resources. During and decontaminated has a huge effect on such as whether it initially acts as a
following hazmat incidents, four main emergency responder resources. For buffer to prevent skin contact with the
groups of people are affected. They are: example, reducing the number of people gas or vapour, but there appear to be no
• exposed and deceased. requiring decontamination by 80% systematic studies assessing whether
• exposed and symptomatic. reduces the emergency responder street clothing provides any protection.
• exposed and asymptomatic. resource demand by 63%. These Many nations have developed lists of
• unexposed and asymptomatic.
Those exhibiting symptoms, who are

acutely effected by inhalation exposure
are the most clearly recognised, and can
be triaged and evacuated to hospital or
treated at the scene. There may be a
small subset of the unexposed and
asymptomatic group which exhibit
symptoms from asthma or other
underlying disorders. These people are
also often triaged and either evacuated
to a hospital or treated at the scene.
However, the onsite management of
exposed, but asymptomatic individuals
is problematic as it may be numerically Figure 1.
large and potentially resource-intensive. Mass decontamination trailers used by Fire Services at an incident ©M Logan

CBRNeWORLD
Paradigm shift
chemicals of concern, to help

responders and their communities
prevent misuse and prepare to manage
the consequences of a deliberate release
of hazardous materials. These chemicals
include chlorine, phosphine, and
ammonia. The chemical lists have been
used as a basis for prioritising research
into the interactions of gases with skin.
Over the past few years a
collaborative effort between the US and
Australian governments has been in
progress to determine the nature of the
interaction of gases/vapours and the
skin. These chemicals have been sorted
into three groups. They are:
• reactive gases such as chlorine and
hydrogen chloride. Figure 2.
• biochemical degradation gases like Example of a risk-based approach for skin decontamination decision making for
hydrogen cyanide and hydrogen ammonia exposures
sulphide.
• fumigant gases like phosphine and decontamination approaches? bromide, hydrogen chloride, and
methyl bromide. Let’s start at the lowest concentration of sulphur dioxide. There are no
concern, the WES or similar exposure interactions even when the humidity
Gaskin et al1-4 used freshly excised values, eg the US permissible exposure and temperature change.
human skin and also looked at the effect limit (PEL). This value is typically Chlorine, ammonia, nitrogen dioxide,
clothing has on the interaction between applied to define the warm zone and phosphine did interact with the
gases and the skin in these studies. boundary at a hazmat incident. For all skin at concentrations above the ILDH.
Their investigations focussed on gases investigated, there was no effect Of these gases, chlorine and nitrogen
gas/vapour concentrations and exposure on the skin at this concentration in a dioxide exhibited the greatest
times that were operationally relevant. hazmat context. This also holds true at absorption at the LC-lo, whereas the
For example, concentrations above the different temperatures and humidity. No skin absorption of phosphine and
lowest lethal concentration (LC-lo) of shower based decontamination is ammonia was negligible at the LC-lo.
the gas or vapour were not operationally required, and moving the exposed For chlorine, longer exposure times and
relevant since at this concentration person to fresh air is sufficient. humidity also assisted skin absorption
exposure of the affected person was At IDLH level there was no effect on Street clothing also played a part, the
likely to be immediately fatal. Instead, the skin for all gases investigated in a role being dependent on the chemical.
concentrations below this value were hazmat context. This also applied at For example clothing initially acted as
examined such as the immediately different temperatures and humidity. As a barrier for ammonia absorption, but
dangerous to life or health (IDLH) and with exposures at the WES, no shower acted as a reservoir if the clothing was
workplace exposure standards (WES) or based decontamination was required wet. In general, removing the outer
their equivalents. and moving the exposed person to fresh clothing greatly assisted the removal
Despite the inhalation toxicity of air was appropriate. The IDLH of any gases or vapours trapped in the
these gases, the results obtained by concentration is important since it is clothing. Using fans or even the wind
Gaskin et al4-7 challenge traditional typically applied as boundary defining further aids decontamination,
notions about skin toxicity at the the hot zone and the value at which self speeding up the removal of any gas
concentrations of interest and exposure contained breathing apparatus must be trapped in clothing.
times in the context of a hazmat donned to prevent inhalation of the gas The overall results can be
incident. Gaskin et al also showed or vapour. summarised into risk based operational
simple measures such as ventilation At concentrations above the IDLH, guidance to support decontamination
were often viable approaches to the story about interaction of the gases decision making at an incident. An
decontaminating exposed persons. on the skin begins to change for some example of how the guidance can be
Clothing also played a role, often acting of the chemicals investigated by Gaskin presented is shown below. It is separated
initially as a barrier. et al. Nonetheless, many gases had no into three key zones, showing where:
What do the results say, and how effect in a hazmat context and they • no decontamination is required other
can we take advantage of them to included: hydrogen cyanide, hydrogen than moving the person to fresh air.
challenge and improve our sulphide, sulphuryl difluoride, methyl • decontamination should be

CBRNeWORLD
considered against organisation policies decision making tools such as the and from Australia, Dr Michael Logan,
and a precautionary approach adopted. emergency response decision support of the research and scientific branch,
• decontamination should occur. system (ERDSS). This CBRN decision Queensland Fire and Emergency
support software can be obtained from Services, and Drs Sharyn Gaskin and
Further guidance is provided to www.chemicalcompanion.org. Dino Pisaniello, from occupational
manage any impact from the person’s & environmental health, University
clothing. If someone has damaged skin Summary of Adelaide.
or a skin disease then decontamination This new and evolving understanding of
should always be considered. This risk- the nature of the interaction of gases, References
based operational guidance to support skin, and clothing in operationally 1.
Chilcott R, Amlot R. (2015) Primary
decontamination decision making can relevant timelines provides a basis for Response Incident Scene Management
be extended and applied to all rational decision making by first (PRISM). Guidance for chemical
chemicals that may be released. It can responders dealing with potential incidents: Volume 1: Strategic guidance
also be applied to contact with liquids casualties in the event of a chemical for mass casualty disrobe and
and solids as a result of understanding release. Overall, these results challenge decontamination.
the nature of their interactions with the current dogma requiring mass 2.
the skin. personal decontamination by strip and Response Incident Scene Management
Those identified as having relatively shower for all exposures. It has (PRISM). Guidance for chemical
low exposures, can be removed to fresh significant and positive impacts on the incidents: Volume 2: Tactical guidance
air for medical assessment without use of resources at an incident and for mass casualty disrobe and
significant risk of suffering adverse which affected persons the emergency decontamination.
effects or any risk from off gassing to services should focus on. 3.
emergency medical responders on site In practice, rather than use a one Response Incident Scene Management
or at a medical facility such as a size fits all mass decontamination (PRISM). Guidance for chemical
hospital. Others, identified as having approach to all potentially contaminated incidents: Volume 3: Operational
high exposure and thus needing expert individuals during a hazmat incident, guidance for mass casualty disrobe and
support may be prioritised for the emergency services can triage using decontamination.
decontamination at the scene. To make objective exposure criteria. This will 4.
Gaskin S, Pisaniello D, Edwards J,
decisions during this triage phase, significantly reduce the number of Bromwich D, Reed S, Logan M, Baxter
emergency responders must have people undergoing mass C. (2013) Application of skin
information regarding the likely levels decontamination by excluding lightly contamination studies of ammonia gas
of exposure, the potential for dermal exposed individuals. Consequently, the for management of hazardous material
contact and uptake, and the likely emergency services can focus their mass incidents. Journal of Hazardous
effects arising from that exposure. decontamination efforts on those truly Materials, 252-235: 338-346.
The knowledge gained about the needing decontamination before 5.
Gaskin S, Pisaniello D, Edwards J,
interaction of the gases/vapours and the medical treatment. Bromwich D, Reed S, Logan M, Baxter
skin combined with the incident factors C. (2013) Chlorine and hydrogen
such as temperature and clothing has The authors are Dr Christina Baxter, cyanide gas interactions with human
been integrated into operational ceo of Emergency Response TIPS, US, skin: In vitro studies to inform
decontamination in hazmat incidents.
Journal of Hazardous Materials, 262:
759-65.
6.
Gaskin S, Heath L., Pisaniello D,
Evans R, Edwards J, Logan M, Baxter C.
(2017) Hydrogen sulphide and
phosphine interactions with human
skin in vitro: Application to hazardous
material incident decision making for
skin decontamination. Toxicology and
Industrial Health, 33(4):289-296.
7.
Gaskin S, Heath L, Pisaniello D,
Edwards J, Logan M, Baxter C. (2017)
Dermal absorption of fumigant gases
during hazmat incident exposure
scenarios – methyl bromide, sulphuryl
First responders need to move away from the ‘one size fits all’ mentality fluoride and chloropicrin. Toxicology
©CBRNe World and Industrial Health, 33(7): 547-554.

CBRNeWORLD John Hart comments on the outcomes of the

Biological and Toxic Weapons Convention, December meeting
Dreaming of a bio Christmas

T
he principal legal instrument
against biological warfare is the Inter-sessional programme Cost per year [USD]
1972 Biological and Toxin
Weapons Convention (BTWC). In 2017 2017-2020 MSPs 1,109,500 [est.]
Samoa joined the convention. As of 2016 eighth review conference 1,966,700
December 2017, the convention had 2012-2015 1,943,400
179 parties. 2011 seventh reviewconference 2,010,300
This year the treaty regime has 2007-2010 721,700
operated under continued financial 2006 sixth review conference 1,344,900
constraints due to governments’ late and 2003-2005 542,700
non-payment of assessed contributions AHG 2001 1,357,100
which, in turn, has raised concern as to AHG 2000 2,926,300
whether the December meeting of states AHG 1999 2,489,739
parties (MSP) could be held. 1 Total 16,412,339
Last year the UN office at Geneva’s
(UNOG) financial resources management Source: ISU, Potential cost implications, 7 Dec. 2017, slide 3. Geneva. AHG: ad
service (FRMS) issued an assessment hoc group; MSP: meeting of states parties.
just prior to the eighth review
Table 1. Cost of intersession processes.
conference that found that 62% of the
member states owed a combined total of
c. US $596519 for the period 2001-2016.2 structured.9 A MSP was therefore and multilaterally, as set out in article V.
The UN’s newly implemented enterprise convened on 4-8 December under the • Universalisation, including the
resource planning (ERP) system (Umoja) chairmanship of Ambassador Singh Gill adoption of an action plan and dedicated
does not permit meetings to be held and of India to address this matter. The EU sessions to promote universal adherence
staff recruited in the absence of suggested the meeting focus on six areas: to the BTWC. 10
dedicated funding streams.3 Nor does it • National implementation and
permit budget lines to be crossed.4 compliance, including information Since 2006 the EU has spent €6.3
On 7 December the implementation sharing on national legislation and million (including 26 workshops) to
support unit (ISU) summarised the implementation measures to control support achieving universal treaty
budgetary status and requirements of over [sic] pathogenic microorganisms, membership and effective treaty
the treaty regime.5 The ISU did not biosafety and biosecurity standards, implementation.11 The EU stated that
publicly identify the states that underpay engagement with non-governmental this work has “contributed to the
or that delinquent. It did inform the stakeholders. accession” of 24 states to the
MSP that 69 parties pay less than US • Further work on confidence building convention.12 The EU expressed support
$100 /year and 121 parties pay less than measures (CBMs) to provide reassurance for the MSP adopting an action plan on
US $1,000 /year.6 The ISU also on compliance by means of information achieving universal treaty membership
summarised the costs of annual BTWC exchanges and enhancing transparency, to be implemented in coordination with
meetings (see Table 1). The EU including increasing the relevance of the ISU which could comprise outreach
acknowledged that “the fragile financial CBM forms and conducting voluntary visits, joint or coordinated demarches,
situation of the convention will peer review initiatives. translation of documentation and
inevitably determine the scope of an • Assistance and cooperation under incentives such as information
inter-sessional process”.7 The ISU article VII taking into account the exchanges on assistance offers.13
estimated that the cost of holding MSPs pressing capacity building needs as There was continued support to
for 2017-2020 is US $208,100.8 regards responding to outbreaks of create a network of designated
infectious diseases. laboratories to support the UN secretary
Meeting of States Parties • Science and technology in order to general’s mechanism to investigate
The eighth review conference to the review relevant developments in a more allegations of use of chemical and/or
BTWC, which met in 2016, deferred the systematic way and assess their impact, biological weapons (CBW).14
question of whether further inter- positive and negative, on the BTWC.
sessional annual meetings of experts and • Review of the consultative MSP outcomes
meetings of states parties should be held committee procedure making it possible For the period 2018-2020 three MSPs
in 2018-2020 and, if so, how the for states parties to resort to and five meetings of experts (MX) will
programme of work should be consultation and cooperation bilaterally be held.

CBRNeWORLD
MX1 will meet three times for two implementation. This includes agree at the ninth review conference to
days to discuss and promote common consideration of the quantity and make CBMs legally binding.
understanding and effective action on quality of CBM submissions and The annual MSPs will discuss and
cooperation and assistance, with a “effective measures of export control, in promote common understanding and
particular focus on strengthening full conformity with all articles of the effective action on inter alia the
cooperation and assistance under article convention, including article X”. The MX outputs.
X, which encourages the peaceful uses latter is not a general endorsement by The 2018-2020 inter-sessional
of the life sciences and associated the parties for strategic trade controls process has no decision making
technology. These meetings will review because of the article X reference. authority. In 2021 the ninth review
inter alia the operation of the assistance MX4 will meet three times for two conference will consider the work and
and cooperation database by the ISU. days to discuss and promote common outcomes of this process as a possible
MX2 will meet three times for two understanding and effective action on basis for taking legally binding or
days to discuss and promote common assistance, response and preparedness. other decisions.
understanding and effective action on This will include a further consideration Those wishing to move the
reviewing developments in the field of of prior Russian proposals to examine interactions among the parties towards
science and technology related to the how the concept of mobile biomedical more specific compliance discussions
convention. This includes consideration units might contribute to effective (either to more fully and systematically
of “any other science and technology assistance, response and preparedness of demonstrate current compliance or to
developments of relevance to the the parties to naturally occurring or revisit past allegations of violations)
convention and also to the activities of deliberate biological threats. have continued to focus on possible
relevant multilateral organisations such MX5 will meet three times for one modifications to the content, structure
as the World Health Organisation, day to discuss and promote common and handling of the current politically
World Organisation for Animal Health, understanding and effective action on binding information exchanges meant
UN Food and Agricultural Organisation, institutional strengthening of the to serve as CBMs.15 The 2017 outcome
International Plant Convention and the convention. These meetings will consider represents a continuation of the status
Organisation for the Prohibition of the full range of approaches and options quo whereby annual MXs and MSPs
Chemical Weapons (OPCW)”. This to strengthen the convention, including exchange information, views and best
implies a further interaction between through “possible additional legal practices on the convention’s various
the OPCW scientific advisory board measures or other measures in the provisions with the support of the
(SAB) and BTWC framework meetings framework of the convention”. This Geneva based ISU. The treaty regime
and processes. could imply possible modifications to the remains process oriented. The historical
MX3 will meet three times for one content, structure and legal status evolution of the treaty regime dating
day to discuss and promote common accorded to CBMs or interactions with back to at least the early 1980s remains
understanding and effective action on other legal regimes (existing or relevant - even if unstated and
strengthening national proposed). For example, the parties could somewhat forgotten.16
References
1
Eg, UN Secretariat, Status of contributions of BWC, CCW, CCM, OTW as of 30 September 2017, [no document no, general distribution],
30 Sep. 2017.
2
3,4 Millett, K, Financial woes spell trouble for the Biological Weapons Convention, Health Security, vol. 15, no. 3 (2017), p. 1.
3
Millett, K, Financial woes spell trouble for the Biological Weapons Convention, Health Security, vol. 15, no. 3 (2017), p. 1.
4
Millett, K, Financial woes spell trouble for the Biological Weapons Convention, Health Security, vol. 15, no. 3 (2017), p. 1.
5
ISU, Potential cost implications, 7 Dec. 2017. Geneva.
6
ISU, Potential cost implications, 7 Dec. 2017, slide 10. Geneva.
7
EU, EU key messages: reaching consensus on an inter-sessional programme, [no number], 4-8 Dec. 2017, p. 2. Geneva.
8
ISU, Potential cost implications, 7 Dec. 2017, slide 3. Geneva.
9
Pearson, G and Sims, N A, Report from Geneva: the BTWC Eighth Review Conference: a Disappointing Outcome, addendum to review no. 46
(Apr. 2017).
10
EU, EU key messages: reaching consensus on an inter-sessional programme, [no number], 4-8 Dec. 2017, p 2 Geneva. Albania, Georgia, The
Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Moldova, Montenegro, Ukraine, Serbia and Turkey associated themselves with this EU position paper.
11
EU, EU key messages on universalisation, 4-8 Dec. 2017, p 1. Geneva.
12
13
14
On 7 Dec Germany and Switzerland hosted a side event devoted to this topic. This mechanism was last invoked at Syrian Government request
in 2013.
15
Eg, Revill, J, Compliance Revisited: an Incremental Approach to Compliance in the Biological and Toxin Weapons Convention, occasional paper
no. 31 (Center for Nonproliferation Studies: Monterey, Cal, Aug. 2017); and Carus, W S, A century of biological-weapons programmes (1915-2015):
reviewing the evidence, Nonproliferation Review, vol 24, nos 1-2 (2017), pp 129-153.
16
Eg, see previous CBW chapters; and Sims, N A (ed.), The Evolution of Biological Disarmament, SIPRI Chemical & Biological Warfare Studies
no 19 (Oxford University Press: Oxford, 2001).

CBRNeWORLD
Gwyn Winfield looks at the trends in future mobile laboratories
All we need is Lab

R
ecent years have been a poster year claims to have it. Yet, all things being adversely impacted if stationed there
for mobile laboratories. Battelle equal, those with the stronger order tended to be the requirement for chemical
won a contract to support the DoD’s books could lay claim to either having labs, and much of that could be done with
Common Analytical Laboratory System more of it, or at least to be able to apply mass spectrometry. Early radiological labs
(CALS) contract, worth $24m in 2015, what they have better. tended to be less popular, the ‘buckets of
with two integrated system The labs themselves have also instant sunshine’ tended to give the game
configurations. The CALS request for changed, and quite a bit of maturity has away, and the quality and ubiquity of
proposals will be out next year as part of been introduced since this topic was last radiological sensors was such that much
the Joint Enterprise Research, visited. The most obvious steps have been of the capability that you’d need in a lab
Development, Acquisition, in instrument development, specifically was actually deployed in the field. What
Production/Procurement (JE-RDAP) Size Weight and Power (SWaP), operator still remains true is that whatever your
program and should be awarded in the training, and efficiencies of ergonomics intent is with mobile laboratories it is still
third quarter 2018. and sustainablilty. One requirement that incredibly important that what you do in
While the DoD has been finessing has only increased and in some cases the field is credible.
their procurement strategy for mobile being met with vigor is the the ever It was the North Atlantic Council
labs ENG have been making hay increasing need for solid, credible Summit meeting in 2002 that made the
announcing in October that their information from the field. Field science real difference to NBC/CBRN lab
bookings were up 152% this year, with is not an amateur sport—profound and development. With the codifying of what
43% of those orders being for their extremely relevant decisions are made a military lab should do far more Nato
mobile labs. Their purchase by Positive ID based on the information the field members started getting involved in
in December 2015 seems to have been a provides to decision makers. Bad acquiring and fielding a capability that
wholly positive one, and bringing their life information is dreadful—resulting in loss would meet the NBC Deployable
science team into the design of mobile of money, lives and credibility on the Analytical Laboratory (DAL) requirement.
labs has helped them improve their world stage, operators need to have This was based on Stanag 4632 and also
offering and expand their customer base. carefully considered their quality needed to include a command-and-
That customer base is also management system (QMS). control element; sampling teams; NBC
international, and not just for ENG. The need to have a system able to EOD/IEDD team and decontamination
Smaller mobile lab providers such as provide improved sample analysis in a safe team. Ironically just as the full
Cristanini in Italy, Bruker in Germany environment remains strong. What has understanding of how much effort was
and 4S in France have also been selling changed is the technology, and that has needed to run a DAL more nations
to international customers in South had a knock on effect on the requirement. started getting interested, with the
America, Asia and (especially) the Middle Much of the technology previously Italians, Romanians and Slovakians (to
East. Earlier this year we wrote about the available to early mobile military CBRNE name a few) starting to get on board.
new Dutch military mobile analytical labs was the wet chemistry that tended to Concepts like the DAL became viable
system (see CBRNe World 2017 -2) and be expensive to run and of limited value thanks to improvements in analytical
in issue 2 2015 we were talking about the since they depended on ubiquity to technology, which became lighter, faster,
Singapore Civil Defence Force’s new achieve a result. Military mobile chemical smarter and more rugged. On the
mobile lab. It seems mobile labs have labs tended to be more focussed on international stage it is difficult to
come of age. Clearly something is (environment) water (primarily) and soil underestimate the impact of
happening in both the technology and samples, rather than trying to get an Idaho/Biofires RAPID thermocycler and
the customer base that is driving these improved sample for forensic evidence or then Razor (and currently Film Array, as
purchases. So what has worked in the improved accuracy. When ‘red force’ has a below) on the military biological
world of field science, aka, forward limited chemical palette to paint the sky identification market. Part of the problem
deployed or mobile labs? Many of these with you are less bothered whether it is with the military and mobile labs (and not
rely strongly on the integration of 80% sarin or 76% cyclosarin, as long as it just the military, of which more below)
disciplines, the training of field can be roughly plotted on the warning was the need for calibration and
technicians / scientists and the quality of and reporting system and the right ruggedization of equipment to be able to
their process—knowing just how they medical countermeasure taken that was get a reliable result. Once you can remove
can adapt their capability and how they enough. The ability to ensure that water the need for a technician/engineer, and
cannot. This is always a difficult thing to was potable and that the ground wasn’t so can replace it with a trained operator you
quantify, since every manufacturer contaminated that troops would be can truly begin to have a deployable

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CBRNeWORLD
All we need is Lab
capability. It would be nice to say that this traditional, mixed threats that arrive in down to the site with as little effort as
rush to field ‘bio labs’ was just a the form of samples. Traditional possible. Robotics offer much of the
phenomenon of the early ‘noughties’ but databases for CWA’s, TIC’s, TIM’s and same advantages as mobility solutions
as evidenced in the UK MoD’s biological explosives aren’t able to match the likes and also offer surveillance solutions. It is
surveillance and collector system (BSCS – of the samples they receive laden with no surprise that the CSTs have snapped
CBRNe World Issue 3, 2017) who put a multiple components of primitive, up the opportunity to use Talon
Film Array in an ISO Container and called degradated CWA’s mixed with explosive (https://www.defense.gov/News/Article/
it a ‘lab’ it is still popular! residue components. No matter how old Article/1284449/national-guard-wmd-
It was only really at the turn of the the sample, or how basic the civil-support-teams-pursue-innovation/).
Millennium that the Civil Support Teams manufacturing process these laboratories Communications, and the ability to hand
(CSTs) really started to show the need to provide actionable information. off data and information to other labs, is
applicability of mobile laboratories in the Since much of this information is likely vital not only in terms of chain of
civilian CBRN response phase. Now to end up in a court of law it is not just custody but also in improved analysis.
States were able to get an actionable screening the sample but also matching Finishing off the bumper year for
response directly from the field. This the sample with the perpetrators’ DNA, mobile labs was the Other Transactional
might not be the gold standard that the and providing full chain of custody. Authority for Countering Weapons of
State lab would be able to provide, but it Proof of principle has been delivered, Mass Destruction request for a combined
could ensure that an incident could be the ability to reproduce what can be done solution, which likely include mobile
closed down, or ramped up, in a useful in a fixed lab, now the drive is to improve laboratory analysis
timeframe and also ensure that the gold the elements around it: the sample (https://www.fbo.gov/index?s=
standard lab got samples that it could collection, surveillance, mobility, opportunity&mode=form&tab=core&id
provide unambiguous identification on. robotics and communication. Sample =0b51ff81d157c9348c1a047b2bbc76e7).
What really worked for the CST’s was collection is a ‘no brainer,’ the better the This is mainly for the special forces
their QMS that ensured the highest sample the better the result. With most (SOF) community, and includes a lot of
quality of lab results. Their QMS labs having a maximum team of four, requests for sensitive site exploitation
included maintaining ISO 17025 driver, commander and two technicians, capability. The technology required
accreditation and undertaking a the skill set is already stretched. The includes touch screen generation
“Program of Proficiency” where every ability to have individuals that technologies, virtual training in
operator is tested individually with each understand, and the tools, to take better augmented realities and unmanned
piece of analytical equipment within a samples is essential. Once better samples systems with integrated CBRNE
calendar year. Proficiency Tests occur can be taken then analytical equipment detectors and robotics. As SOF leads so
monthly and individual performance is can be streamlined. Surveillance is about conventional forces follow… much of the
tracked as a readiness indicator by the ensuring that the lab stays in the warm requirements in the OTA CWMD
team Commander Other QMS items such zone, wherever that might be. With requirement are progressions of the
as training, supplies and maintenance organisations such as the SCDF deciding trends that we have seen above. If this
are managed and inspected to build to carry risk and reduce their collective does turn into a trend then it is likely
reliability in test results. protection the ability to ensure that the that the age of requirements that only
Perhaps the greatest users of mobile lab will remain at a level of hazard that it big, articulated truck labs can provide
analysis were the Canadians that brought can deal with is vital. The Dutch Civil might be over.
forensic, chemical and biological labs Military vehicle is another case in point, Certainly for the lab manufacturers
together in what they called Science as long as it has situational awareness it this is no bad thing, providing innovative
Town (see CBRNe World Issue Six 2012). can manage its hazard and location. solutions is what they like. As Dick Glass,
This followed the concept of mobile Providing a suite of sensors on the former President of ENG Mobile Systems
analysis to its conclusion, large trailer outside, as well as the inside, of the told Jeff Bigongiari (CBRNe World Issue
based systems, with BSL3 protection for vehicle allows it to re-orientate, hopefully 3 2013); “If someone says, ‘hey I want to
the bio, a triage capability to minimise at short notice! Mobility is as much do this kind of work in this kind of
contamination and their own trailer about comfort as speed of sample environment,’ that is ideal. That is what
based power system to allow them to delivery. When technicians are parked in we like. If someone says we have had a
operate in the most austere the warm zone they could face an committee together for the last six
environment. While expensive to extensive stroll to the sample collection months to decide how to design a mobile
purchase, and run (especially staff costs), point, all of this retards them lab and we want you to build it, that is
it goes to show what can be done with physiologically and, considering that the worst thing that can happen. We
mobile labs. they might be the same people that need have built probably 400 or more labs,
It is not just what could be done that to work the equipment later, could result with more than 200 applications, but as
had changed, but also what needed to be in poor results. This has seen mobile labs soon as we start building what you’ve
done. Today’s field scientists are equipped with either John Deere/Gator designed we’re going to start telling you
challenged further by facing less type systems, or Segways to get them all of the things that are wrong.”

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Book Review
CBRNeWORLD
Published by Helion,
Dirty War: Rhodesia and Solihull, 2017 and
reviewed by
Chemical Warfare 1975-1980 Professor Paul Moorcraft
By Glenn Cross
Paperback 248 pages
I shouldn’t say so in this sort of magazine, but nearly all 33-35 illustrations
CBRN people I meet are, or become, trainspotters. The incl b/w photos, colour
Rhodesian war is now a specialist historical field; I have photos and colour maps.
written a number of books on the subject. So I guess that
makes me a trainspotter too, albeit a different kind. Glenn £21.95
Cross is an American CBRN expert who has spent years
investigating the secret chemical, biological weapons (CBW)
campaign in the late 1970s war that brought Robert Mugabe
to power. So that might make him a double trainspotter.
Dr Cross has certainly done his homework in Dirty War: methods of securing food supplies from more trusted stores
Rhodesia and Chemical Biological Warfare 1975-1980. He and middle men.
supports the view that sometimes the small CBW campaign
killed more insurgents than conventional firepower. While The small Rhodesian project was partly funded and resourced
those killed numbered in the low thousands it did not change by South Africa so it was natural that key personnel and
the course of the war. secrets migrated south at the end of the war in 1980. South
Africa adopted it under its own Project Coast. For moral and
A handful of senior Rhodesians - Ken Flower, the head of the practical reasons many South African army commanders were
Central Intelligence Organisation, and Chief Superintendent reluctant to use CBW, although the South African police did
Michael ‘Mac’ McGuinness of the British South Africa Police - experiment a little; not least in the dreaded Koevoet unit in
operated a very small programme in a number of rooms in South West Africa/Namibia. Accidents were reported there
two isolated Selous Scouts forts (and perhaps a lab in the when local militiamen ate some of the contaminated food but
University of Rhodesia, and a room in a house in the there is little evidence of use on the battlefield.
upmarket suburb of Borrowdale in the capital, Salisbury).
The Brits and Americans relieved the outgoing whites of their
Using basic laboratory skills and deploying agricultural and CBW programme as well as their handful of nukes. Nobody
industrial chemicals, they poisoned batches of clothing, food, wanted the African National Congress leaders, even the
beverages and medicines for covert distribution to guerrillas secular saint, Nelson Mandela, getting their hands on WMD.
fighting the white regime. Pesticide containing parathion was
used on clothing. Food and drinks were contaminated with a Rhodesia was a rare case of a government using CBW on its
rat-killer containing thallium. Warfarin was put into bulk own rebel citizens. Syria is a more recent example. Both exhibit
food such as the staple mealie meal. Cholera was used as an intelligence failures in the west. Or the turning of a blind eye.
area denial weapon especially for water sources on the Ken Flower wrote about the CBW programme in 1987 in his
southern often drought-ridden routes used to enter the self-censored memoirs and while the British knew something,
country. The Rhodesians experimented with anthrax, not least the American agencies claimed not to have known anything
as an assassination tool. until 1990. When the US was engulfed in its anthrax scare, it
did look up the survivors of the Rhodesian programme.
Rhodesia suffered one of the largest anthrax outbreaks in Ironically, some of them had suffered early grisly deaths -
history, and it killed not only a large number of cattle but believed by their relatives to result from CBW poisonings.
many humans too. Despite all the rumours and accusations
by the guerrilla leaders, Dr Cross concludes that the anthrax For specialists, Dr Cross’s book is very impressive. He is no
epidemic was probably accidental, caused partly by the stylist, however, and lack of hard documentary evidence
breakdown of veterinary services at the end of the war. enforces necessary speculation and some unnecessary
repetition. This is likely to be the last word on the subject. Few
I found the second-order effects of the CBW campaign care about the white supremacists’ last stand in southern
interesting - many insurgents blamed witches and wizards. Africa, and yet the subject is very pertinent. It shows how a
The literal witch-hunts disrupted the guerrilla campaigns as very basic and amateurish programme can inflict thousands of
much as the actual poisonings. Eventually many of the deaths in an asymmetric war. No wonder al-Qaeda and Daesh
guerrillas worked out what was happening and elaborated have been so fixated on the same type of evil endeavour.

CBRNeWORLD Governor Gabriel Cinomis, a Prairie Dog, gives his

opinion of CBRN matters from his unique perspective
Prairie Dog
I have issued an apology to Ms
Chuckworthy after erroneously chiding
her for changing certain sentences in my
Variola major, otherwise known as the
smallpox virus. Not only that but other
dangerous pathogens are now free of a
involve graduate students and if so, then
there will be a problem.
Speaking of Cookingpot-Grill, that
last report. While the changes seemed moratorium on “gain of function” research, odious dog went on to work for a company
minor (a word here and there) the including camel sneezies, influenza and (in its global outreach segment, no less)
additions altered the meaning quite other dangerous viruses, and even that then was found to have severely
significantly and in one case suggested I Disgusting Bloody Flux. One may recall an botched the entire response to the outbreak
was some fawning minion to The Pumpkin! insane nameless scientist who six years ago of Disgusting Bloody Flux. One of the
Ms Chuckworthy, in her defence, retrieved felt it wise and prudent to publish work on complaints was lack of proper control on
the copy of the manuscript sent out of the how to make a particularly nasty strain of pathogenic patient samples.
mayoral den and it had not been altered. I avian influenza cross over to another In other news, the massive outbreak of
may only assume some misguided (and species. When questioned about the possible plague on Vanilla Island is said to have been
apparently humourless) minion of consequences of this publication, said contained as of late November 2017. Still
bureaucratic orthodoxy decided an extra “a” insane nameless scientist felt he had no completely unexplained are the following
in a sentence to completely change its culpability if his work was used to create data from that outbreak. There were 2,384
meaning was required, to placate The some pandemic super influenza. Another confirmed, probable and suspected cases
Pumpkin perhaps, or resurrect some long researcher, overhearing this answer, including 207 deaths (a 9% fatality rate).
distant urge to be creative. For the record, described the response as monstrous. This The outbreak was mostly in two urban
this mayor does not enjoy any meetings at entire episode started a much needed debate centres, including a port. The majority of
the Orange House Adult Day Care Centre. I on what should be done versus what can be cases were treated and the patients
expect the “not” in that last sentence to done and how that information should or recovered. What remains very strange is
mysteriously disappear. should not be disseminated. The debate that 1,828 (77%) of the 2,384 cases were
Not long after the delivery of my most raged for several years before the reported as pneumonic plague, with 347
recent report, a minion of Concurbitan moratorium on such research was confirmed, 614 probable, and the final 824
orthodoxy descended upon the mayoral den established three years ago. remaining suspect, pending laboratory
with edicts in paw. I am always able to spot Another reason, though less officially, confirmation. This proportion of
these new Orangedogs (as they’ve now for the ban were several significant pneumonic to bubonic cases continues to
become known) from your run-of-the-mill biological security incidents at, among puzzle those in the biological defence realm
minion as they are forced to dress in other places, the Dogtown Disease as one would expect two things: a higher
clothing bearing designer labels and Watching and Admiration Ministry. Minions fatality rate and a much lower percentage of
products produced by Concurbita’s and nameless scientists were exposed to pneumonic cases. Thus far, 33 isolates of
sweatshops. The edict decreed that I, or both pathogenic Bacillus anthracis and a Yersinia pestis (the bacteria causing plague)
anyone else on the mayoral staff, may use lethal avian influenza virus (see above). have been isolated from patients and all
certain terms in our writings. These There have been some talking heads strains were sensitive to antibiotics.
included: poor, zebra (to now be spelled who think this is all a great idea and that Had this been a deliberate biological
xebra), inequality, race, the, and, a (as the security plans in place are stringent. As attack, one would expect the discrepancy
offensive as they come) and the letter z. would come as no surprise to some, the between pneumonic and bubonic cases
After picking up my jaw from my desk, I (former) emperor, Mr A C Cookingpot-Grill, seen on Vanilla Island, but not the range
started to laugh as this must be a joke! now relegated to the back-burner, was all of isolates. One would tend to think a state
When said minion did not relent, I asked too happy to see this moratorium lifted, programme would have created a single
how was the definite article offensive or how despite some of the most egregious stable isolate which withstood the rigours
any written text could do away with said incidents happening under his muzzle of dissemination as Y. pestis is very fragile
definite article, the noted conjunction, plus during his reign. (Want pathogenic B. outside a host.
the most used indefinite article. The anthracis in the mail disguised as non- Vanilla Island has annual outbreaks of
minion’s reply was I just did. pathogenic? Happened on his watch). plague, and even refers to a plague season
We at the mayoral den then promptly To be fair, Mr Cookingpot-Grill believes (Is there a festival? A plague queen?). This
ignored said decree as not only does such that gain of function research proposals will outbreak, starting earlier than normal and
a decree violate certain rights of not be sanctioned under the current policy. being predominantly pneumonic continues
expression but also fundamentals of What this overlooks is amoral nameless to feel wrong and not natural. Much more
language. We are still trying to figure out scientists, like the dog above, who do not scrutiny is needed and said scrutiny must
the whole xebra thing. feel bound by such things and are (and have go beyond the typical players (the
Now on to other matters and beware (I been) perfectly capable of writing a grant Worldwide Disease Watching and
just did it) those trigger words are going to application describing one thing and then Admiration Organisation, for example).
appear throughout the rest of this report. doing that thing plus three others with the
A decision was recently made to allow funding. What is unclear is where this ‘Til next I poke my head up.
Dogtown to once again experiment with research is now allowed. I suspect some will Gabriel Cinomis

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CBRNe December 2017 cover and spine 3mm:CBRNe December 2017 cover and spine 3mm 02/01/2018 10:07

Everything is a poison Be not another Midwife of great things

Neutralizing emerging threats

Protecting our troops

www.cbrneworld.com December 2017 CBRNe WORLD 1

Better one problem…

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Now wash your hands: Argon Electronics 11

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CBRNe Convergence 2018 22

E-N-G Mobile Systems 57

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Revenge of Chipotle Mummy issues Anarchist granny

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Due to problems in the region AFAD

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relevant institutions, raises public

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Turkey is getting more real world

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The new R440 is a lightweight, sourceless RIID that can be

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GW: What specialist research facilities

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rather than the government, we should

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Captain Gary Lee, of Santa Ana Fire Department’s Hazmat 79 team,

Cold wind blowing

ZR: Recently you had an incident

ZR: What is the state of the fentanyl

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ZR: Are you finding that you are only

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Professor Ray Zilinskas, director, chemical and biological weapons

The agent that came