Weapons of Mass Destruction

Background

This section of PDHealth.mil provides information and guidance for both healthcare providers and servicemembers regarding the health-related aspects of Weapons of Mass Destruction. Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD) is a term used to describe a weapon with the capacity to indiscriminately kill or incapacitate. The phrase broadly encompasses several areas of weapons, including nuclear, biological, chemical (NBC) and, increasingly, radiological weapons.

Table of Contents. The following web pages have been developed to provide information, guidance, and related links on the following topics:

• Biological Warfare
• Chemical Warfare
• Radiological/Nuclear Terrorism
• Stress and Trauma
• Disaster Preparedness and Response

Related Links

• DHHS List of WMD, Emergency Management and Medical Web Sites, 4 Oct 07  (Department of Health and Human Services document designed to provide a comprehensive list of internet sites of use for emergency planning. DHHS Disasters and Emergencies Web Page)



• CBD & CPD Website (Official Web site of the Office of the Special Assistant Chemical and Biological Defense and Chemical Demilitarization Program whose mission is to lead, guide, and integrate the DoD Chemical and Biological Defense Program.)



• Defense Threat Reduction Agency (DTRA) (Consolidates a variety of US Defense Department functions to deal more effectively with the threats posed by nuclear, chemical, or biological weapons.)



• DoD CBRN Defense, Education & Training Integration Directorate (The CBRN Defense Education & Training Integration Directorate has been created to help lead and guide the integration of DoD CBRN Defense education, training, and exercises.)



• CBRN Defense Information Analysis Center (CBRNIAC) (Serves as the focal point for DoD Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear (CBRN) Defense scientific and technical information)



• Edgewood Chemical Biological Center (ECBC) (The nation's principal research and development center for non-medical chemical and biological defense.)



• CDC Emergency Preparedness and Response Web Site (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Web Site intended to increase the nation's ability to prepare for and respond to public health emergencies.)



• Management of Public Health Emergencies: A Resource Guide for Physicians and Other Community Responders, American Medical Association  (This Resource Guide provides quick access to current information on preparing for any emergency and accessing assistance. It is intended to help physicians and other health professionals recognize and respond to a potential mass casualty situation and notify appropriate authorities.)



• MedicalCountermeasures.gov (Provides a central source of information on U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) initiatives regarding research, development, and acquisition of medical countermeasures for public health emergencies, both naturally occurring and intentional.)



• Force Health Protection and Readiness, The Chemical-Biological Warfare Exposures Site(Provides service members, veterans, their families and the public with information on the testing of chemical and biological warfare agents from 1942 to 1975. The Web site presents sections on World War II, Project 112/SHAD (Shipboard Hazard and Defense), and the Cold War.)



• DoD Instruction 6200.02, Application of Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Rules to Department of Defense Force Health Protection Programs, 27 Feb 08 (Policy for application of FDA rules to DoD FHP programs involving medical products required to be used under an Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) or an investigational new drug (IND) application.)