Biological & Chemical Hazards
Biological Hazards
Biological agents are bacteria, viruses, and toxins that can kill or incapacitate people, livestock, and crops. The threat of a biological attack results from the intentional release of germs or other biological agents. These biological agents, often invisible to the naked eye, can be inhaled, ingested, or transferred through the skin and the results could be sickness or death. Many biological agents, such as the smallpox virus, can also cause contagious diseases, which could be transferred from person to person.
Chemical Hazards
Chemical threats can come from terrorist attacks, industrial accidents, transportation, and even common household products. The following resources can help you prepare for and recover from a chemical threat:
- To report oil and chemical spills and radiation emergencies, call the National Response Center toll-free at 1-800-424-8802. To see active alerts, go to the National Terrorism Advisory System's homepage.
- To report poison-related emergencies, call the American Association of Poison Control Centers toll-free at 1-800-222-1222.
External Resources
