Biological Weapons

Biological weapons can be grouped as Bacteria, Viruses, Toxins, Fungi and Rickettsiae. There are various examples of each, but to keep things simple we will consider the most likely Biological agents. We have also produced information on Naturally occurring Biological threats (Smallpox and SARS).

Biological Weapons

Natural Biological Threats

Smallpox (Variola virus) has been discussed as a weapon, however it would be difficult to control as a military weapon, so other agents seem more likely. Smallpox has been discussed as a possible terrorist weapon, however. An effective vaccine exists that gives a good degree of protection. This vaccine has been stockpiled by the UK Government (32 million shots as of 5th December 2002) and plans are already underway to establish regional vaccination centres across the country should it be necessary. Health workers and "first responders" will be vaccinated first (naturally), but because of the possibility of side-effects,  vaccinations will not be made available to the British Public unless there is an outbreak here.

S.A.R.S. although not a biological weapon, we are often asked about this. SARS (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome) is a highly contagious new strain of the flu-like coronavirus. The virus is spread through liquid drops, physical contact and also believed to be spread by airborne transmission. The virus spread rapidly across the world with cases appearing in many countries.

There is no test yet available for SARS and we are told that a treatment may be 2 to 3 years away. A couple of years ago there was a violent outbreak which spread around the world within dayst. Initially, the virus seemed to have a 3 to 4 % death rate, but this later grew to an estimated death rate of 12 to 15%. Paper masks were seen widely on TV as protection against SARS. P2 or P95 half masks are being widely put forward on the internet as suitable protection, unfortunately the P2 or P95 filter is not good enough to remove airborne viruses from air, only the water droplets that may contain traces of the virus. Only full P3 or P100 filters can remove airborne viruses (as found in our standard filter). It should also be remembered that airborne viruses are also absorbed into the human body through the eyes, which only full face masks protect. Good hygiene practices (wash hands before eating / wear disposable gloves / avoid contact) also dramatically reduce risk of transmission.

The outbreak was stopped, why bother to defend against it?. Although it's spread was checked, it still exists and can break out again at short notice. There is no treatment available and no cure. There is no true test for the disease. It spreads so easily and rapidly that another outbreak can spread across the globe in a matter of days, before the authorities have even identified the first case. What will come next? Experts have said that a pandemic outbreak is just a matter of time, expected to be a deadly variant of influenza, like the one that killed millions across the world just after world war one.

Common Biological Weapons

ANTHRAX

BOTULINUM TOXIN

AFLATOXIN

RICIN

PROTECTION

ANTHRAX :

This weapon has been much in the news in 2001 / 2002 as it has been used by terrorists against a number of US Government organisations, delivered in contaminated mail. According to UK Government, in 1991 Iraq was discovered to have 8,500 litres of Anthrax. By 1999 UNSCOM confirmed that production material had gone "missing" from the Iraq arsenal, sufficient to make 25,000 litres of Anthrax. Anthrax is a disease caused by the bacterium Bacillus Anthracis. As a weapon, Anthrax spores are used as a airborne contaminant. Anthrax spores can render an area dangerous for years unless properly decontaminated. Although Anthrax spores can also attack through the skin, it is primarily considered a respiratory weapon. If time is intended to be spent in an area believed to be contaminated with Anthrax, a Hazmat suit is also recommended. After the invasion of Iraq, no stockpiles of Anthrax were discovered. What happened to the stock that the UN found in 1999?.

BOTULINUM TOXIN :

According to UK Government, in 1991 Iraq was discovered to have manufactured 19,000 litres of Botulinum Toxin. One of the most powerful toxins in the world, Iraq has admitted that it had loaded this agent into some of it's ballistic missile warheads. In weapon form it is released as an airborne contaminant, which, when inhaled, leads to paralysis and then death by suffocation. No stockpiles were descovered after the invasion : where are they?.

AFLATOXIN :

According to the UK Government, in 1991 Iraq was discovered to have made 2,200 litres of Aflatoxins. Aflatoxins are fungal toxins, which are potent carcinogens. Most symptoms take a long time to show. Food products contaminated by aflatoxins can cause liver inflammation and cancer. They can also affect pregnant women, leading to stillborn babies and children born with mutations. No stockpiles were found after the invasion : where are they?.

RICIN :

A by-product of castor oil  processing (of which the UK Government says Iraq has a large facility at Fallujah). This agent can cause multiple organ failure leading to death within one or two days of inhalation. On 7th September 1978, Ricin was used to assassinate writer and broadcaster Georgi Markov, a Bulgarian exile in London (ref: "A higher form of killing" by Jeremy Paxman & Robert Harris). The agent can be produced in aerosol form (for release like a gas), by injection for individual attack, or by poison added to water or food supplies.

Ricin has come to the forefront in the UK with the discovery of a covert Ricin manufacturing facility in a North London flat in 2003. In the manufacturing facility there were traces of Ricin found. The terrorist cell arrested there has now been followed by further arrests in Bournemouth and Manchester.  Although the actual discovery of biological weapons being manufactured in the UK by suspected terrorists has given much concern, it should also be noted that from the large number of arrests and the success in finding the bio-weapons facility, our British Police and Intelligence Services are doing an excellent job.

During January 2003, two alleged terrorist cells were captured in Italy and Spain. It is claimed that they were in possession of plastic explosives (Italy) and chemical / biological weapons (Spain) and plans / documents which indicate a planned attack against European cities (including a map of the centre of London), and UK and US embassy / military targets in Europe and the UK.

Following a massive raid on the Finsbury Park Mosque in Northern London by 150 police officers, seven people were detained. On 26th January 2003, the Sunday Times in the UK ran the headline story that they claimed that "Bio-Chemical" suits had been discovered in the raid on the Mosque. On 27th January 2003, the BBC reported that one of the seven detained had been charged with possession of articles for terrorist purposes. Following these events, seed packets of the Caster Oil plant have been withdrawn from garden centres around the country.

PROTECTION :

The CODRUS respirators provide enhanced level of respiratory protection against biological weapons, utilising the ABEK2P3 filter canister. The filter includes a P3 particulate filter which removes 99.97 % of all airborne particulates. These excellent respirators are available for order by Free phone order line, and also are available for order online, using SSL secure ordering. Alternatively, they can be ordered by Post, Fax or Email. Click here to go to the ordering.

Visit our ordering page to find out about the current special offers available. Delivery by Initial Citylink is £10. Call free on 0800 169 4773. You can buy with credit card or debit card, cheque or postal order and the goods will be despatched to you by courier in 5 working days. Each respirator is sold new, with a new ABEK2P3 filter canister, and user manuals. Click here to go to ordering.

For further information about Biological weapons, refer to our FAQs page.