Will terrorists use biological weapons?
Biological and chemical agents may be spread through the air, food, or water. Terrorists use biological agents because they are often difficult to detect and illness onset may be delayed for hours to days increasing dispersal.
Do terrorists use chemical weapons?
Until the 1990s, terrorists had rarely possessed or employed chemical weapons. However, several states that have sponsored terrorism have also possessed chemical weapons—Libya, Iran, and Iraq—and there is a concern that they and groups they sponsor might use chemical weapons in the future.
Why are bioweapons not used?
Biological weapons have been used infrequently due to difficulty in obtaining and processing the pathogens, uncertainty that they will affect an intended target, and, in some cases, moral inhibitions.
Why do terrorists use chemical weapons?
As a report to Congress by the Central Intelligence Agency last January made clear, terrorist groups are “most interested in chemicals such as cyanide salts to contaminate food and water supplies or to assassinate individuals.” Such groups also have “expressed interest in many other toxic industrial chemicals . . . and …
How did ISIS get chemical weapons?
ISIS are believed to have obtained chemical weapon components from left over Ba’athist Iraq stockpiles and banned and undeclared chemical weapon stockpiles from Syria.
What prevents chemical warfare?
Prevention of chemical warfare To prohibit chemical warfare, the CWC combines a comprehensive prohibition with deterrence. Given the default position that all toxic chemicals are prohibited, the CWC applies at all times. Under Article I, states parties undertake never under any circumstances to use CW.
Does America have chemical weapons?
The United States has possessed a stockpile of chemical weapons since World War I. The use of chemical weapons was renounced in 1991 and the U.S. signed the Chemical Weapons Convention in 1993. 89.75\% of the treaty declared stockpile was destroyed by January 2012.
How do you stop bioterrorism?
Wash yourself with soap and water and put on clean clothes. Contact authorities and seek medical assistance. You may be advised to stay away from others or even to quarantine. If your symptoms match those described and you are in the group considered at risk, immediately seek emergency medical attention.