Information for criminal justice practitioners, students and academics.

Panel moves bill to deal with pandemic, health disasters

 

“A Senate committee moved legislation Wednesday aimed at improving the nation's efforts to prepare and respond to a flu pandemic and other medical and health disasters and emergencies. The legislation (S. 3678) was approved by voice vote by the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee. It would reauthorize a 2002 law, the Public Health Security and Bioterrorism Preparedness Act, passed in response to the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks. It was aimed at preparing local, state and federal medical and health professionals to respond to a terrorist attack and other emergencies. The bill would authorize more than $1 billion a year in federal funding for HHS grants for public health and medical preparedness and would require states by 2009 to provide a 5 percent match of federal funding and a 10 percent match beginning in 2010.” (GovExec.com; 20Jul06; Juliana Gruenwald, Congress Daily)

 

Anniston incinerator may begin destroying VX rockets this weekend

 

“The Anniston chemical weapons incinerator could begin destroying VX rockets this weekend, the first weapons destroyed at the facility since March. Workers moved VX filled rockets today from storage igloos to the incinerator site. The facility hasn't destroyed any chemical agent since the last of G-B or sarin-filled weapons were destroyed in March. The facility was shut down so it could be reconfigured for the VX weapons.” (WTVM News, 20Jul06)

http://www.wtvm.com/Global/story.asp?S=5179408&nav=8fap

 

PB [Pine Bluff] Arsenal says it has destroyed 50 percent of GB [sarin] rockets

 

“Crews eliminating chemical weapons stored at the Pine Bluff Arsenal say they've reached the halfway point in their destruction of rockets holding the nerve gas GB. The arsenal said about 45,000 GB rockets had been destroyed since March 2005. When the GB rockets are gone, teams will begin disposing of rockets holding the nerve agent VX.” (WREG-TV News,

20Jul06,AP)

http://www.wreg.com/global/story.asp?s=5178940&ClientType=Printable

 

 

Downe [Township, New Jersey] will fight nerve agent

 

“The township committee passed a resolution Wednesday opposing the discharge by DuPont of effluent from treating VX nerve agent into the Delaware River and bay. The resolution says that the ‘public health, safety and environmental impacts associated with the storage, treatment, transport and disposal of VX hydrolysate are not known and cites the environmental sensitivity of Downe Township.’ Brenda Donohue, of Money Island, said she had collected the signatures of 300 residents of the township's beach communities who oppose the dumping of VX [hydrolysate].” (Bridgeton News, 20Jul06, Jean Jones) http://www.nj.com/news/bridgeton/local/index.ssf?/base/news-5/1153375990140460.xml&coll=10

 

 

Leaking chemical munition bulk container discovered in [Umatilla] depot storage area

 

 “During routine monitoring operations this morning at the Umatilla Chemical Depot, workers discovered a leaking mustard (HD) bulk container inside a storage ‘igloo.’ There was no danger to the public or environment. The structure housing the chemical agent has a passive filter system that prevents chemical agent vapor from escaping to the outside environment. After the leak was discovered, a powered filter system was installed as an additional protective measure.” (U.S. Army Chemical Materials Agency, 20Jul06)

http://www.cma.army.mil/docviewerframe.aspx?docid=003675698

 

More leaking mustard bulk containers detected in storage igloo [at Deseret Chemical Depot]

 

“Workers wearing protective clothing have identified three additional bulk-storage containers leaking mustard agent vapor today following routine monitoring operations in a storage igloo at Deseret Chemical Depot. Toxic chemical materials handlers moved the containers under engineering controls to another structure where they will replace plugs and valves with new hardware before returning them to storage. The earth covered storage structures are filtered and no vapor escaped to the environment. Tooele county officials were notified and there was no danger to surrounding communities.” (U.S. Army Chemical Materials Agency, 19Jul06) http://www.cma.army.mil/docviewerframe.aspx?docid=003675692

 

TIAX to Develop Skin Cream to Protect Soldiers From Chemical Warfare Agents;  Cambridge Firm’s Unique Formulation to Neutralize Harmful Agents on Contact

 

“TIAX, a leading collaborative product and technology development firm, today announced that it was awarded a Phase II contract to continue development of a skin cream that protects users from exposure to chemical agents. The Phase II contract was awarded to TIAX by the Department of Defense Chemical and Biological Defense Small Business Innovative Research (SBIR) program. This new contract builds on work TIAX began as part of a Phase I contract to develop the initial concept for the cream and establish the efficacy of the neutralizing actives. In Phase II, TIAX intends to develop a Neutralizing Skin Protectant for use in topical formulation prototypes that protect exposed skin from chemical agents while also neutralizing the agents into less toxic products before reaching the skin. Testing by the U.S. Army Medical Research Institute of Chemical Defense will evaluate the efficacy of the formulations against the actual agents.” (Genetic Engineering News, 19Jul06)

http://www.genengnews.com/news/bnitem.aspx?name=3419368

 

[Illinois] County chemical response plan ready to test

 

“Another level of safety for Edgar County citizens is just about in place. The Local Emergency Planning Committee (LEPC) met recently at the Edgar County Emergency Services and Disaster Agency (ESDA) office to discuss the next step for implementing the LEPC plan. ‘We’re mandated to have an exercise,’ said Duane Fidler, assistant ESDA coordinator. The committee members noted that Edgar County is well ahead of the curve nationwide through participation in the Chemical Stockpile Emergency Preparedness Program (CSEPP) because of northern Edgar County’s proximity to the VX nerve agent stockpile at the U.S. Army Chemical Depot at Newport, Ind. The scenario for the Aug. 30 exercise assumes an accident has occurred at the anhydrous ammonia facility near Kansas.” (Paris Beacon News, 19Jul06, Gary Henry)

http://www.parisbeacon.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=2946&Itemid=146

 

Terrorism drill held in Cherry Hill [New Jersey]

 

“A mock attack Tuesday at Cherry Hill High School East helped seven public agencies learn how to deal with injured students and deadly nerve agent in an enclosed space. The drill, which took place throughout the sweltering day Tuesday, involved township schools, the state National Guard, state police, the Camden County Bomb Squad, the Camden County Prosecutor's Office and the Cherry Hill fire and police departments. During the disaster drill, participants in protective gear made their way into the school to secure the area. Later, other participants removed a drum of ‘nerve agent’ from the school that had been set with a timer device to add to the drill.” (Courier Post Online, 19Jul06) http://www.courierpostonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060719/NEWS01/60719004/1004/LIVING&template=printart

 

Killer drugs [nerve agent antidotes] go missing: Drugs which could potentially kill a child have gone missing

 

“Police have issued an urgent warning after the spring-loaded auto-injector pens, designed to be injected into the body, disappeared. A Lancashire Police spokesman said: ‘They contain a nerve agent antidote, which can cause a severe adverse reaction if injected by an adult.’ ‘It would prove fatal if injected by a child.’  Police have not released details of where the drugs were stored or whether they may have been stolen. The pens are described as looking like a marker pen, predominantly yellow in colour with a black cap on top.” (Lancashire Evening Post, 21Jul06)

http://www.lep.co.uk/ViewArticle2.aspx?SectionID=73&ArticleID=1643281

 

 

Tests link to Gulf War symptoms

 

“Servicemen who took part in the Porton Down chemical warfare experiments from 1939 to 1989 suffered from the same health problems as thousands of veterans of the 1991 Gulf War, an official study has discovered. The five most prevalent symptoms, shared by both groups, were headaches, outbursts of anger, fatigue, feeling unrefreshed after sleep, and sleeping difficulties. The similarity in health problems was uncovered by independent researchers at Oxford University who have been studying the long-term effects of the Porton Down experiments. The study is being co-ordinated by the Medical Research Council and funded by the Ministry of Defence.” (The Times Online, 18Jul06, Michael Evans) http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,8122-2274369,00.html

 

Belgian doctors accuse Israel of using chemical weapons in Lebanon

 

“Eight bodies of victims killed by the use of chemical weapons have been found in Lebanon, a group of Belgian doctors of Lebanese-origin told a press conference in Brussels Thursday. Professor Bachir Cham, a Belgian surgeon of Lebanese origin, addressed the press conference via mobile phone direct from Beirut. He said all the eight bodies bought to the hospital in Sidon turned black but bore no burn marks and chemical substances were found on their bodies. Cham said the chemical bombs were dropped by Israeli planes. Dr. Mohammad Farran, a heart specialist, said they had sent letters to the United Nations and the European Union drawing their attention to the use of chemical weapons by Israel in Lebanon.” (Islamic Republic News Agency, 20Jul06)

http://www.irna.ir/en/news/view/menu-239/0607202926164827.htm

 

Using Chemistry for Peaceful Purposes: Intensive Training for OPCW [Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons ] Associates Begins

 

“The Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) is hosting the Associate Programme for the seventh year in succession. The course commences in The Hague on 21 July 2006 and will conclude on 29 September 2006. The OPCW Associate Programme is intended to provide chemists and chemical engineers from Member States of the Organisation, whose economies are either developing or in transition, with a better understanding of the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC). The course also promotes a greater awareness of the peaceful uses of chemistry.  Participants representing twenty-four OPCW Member States will take part in the intensive ten-week programme, including representatives from Algeria, Belarus, Brazil, Cambodia, Croatia, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Gambia, Ghana, India, Indonesia, Jordan, Malawi, Nigeria, Panama, Philippines, Rwanda, Sri Lanka, Tajikistan, Tunisia, Turkey, Uganda, Uruguay and Zambia.” (Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons, 21Jul06) http://www.opcw.org/pressreleases/2006/PR41_2006.html

 

Preparations for the Second Review Conference Begin: First Meeting of the Working Group

 

“The Open-Ended Working Group for the Second Review Conference (WGRC) held its first meeting on 7 July 2006. The WGRC’s Chairman, H.E. Ambassador Lyn Parker, Permanent Representative of the United Kingdom, opened the session, attended by representatives of 44 States Parties, including the Vice-Chairs: the Islamic Republic of Iran, Mexico, the Russian Federation, and The Sudan. In his opening remarks, Ambassador Parker informed the WGRC of the agreement reached by WGRC Bureau meeting that all States Parties must be accorded every opportunity to express their views and to contribute to the organisation of the work of the Second Review Conference, and that the work of the First Review Conference as recorded in the official Report serves as a good starting point for establishing a structure for the Working Group’s discussions. The Working Group endorsed these principles.” (Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons, 20Jul06)

http://www.opcw.org/pressreleases/2006/PR40_2006.html

 

New U.S.-Russian Initiative Aims to Thwart Nuclear Terrorism: Plan is to increase network of partners committed to broad, adaptive defenses

 

“Every nation faces unique challenges in trying to thwart nuclear terrorism, which is today’s most urgent security challenge, says a senior State Department nonproliferation expert. Acting Assistant Secretary of State Francis Record told a House International Relations subcommittee July 20 that the U.S.-Russian Global Initiative to Combat Nuclear Terrorism announced by U.S. President Bush and Russian President Vladimir Putin July 15 in St. Petersburg, Russia, is designed to bring global partners together ‘to confront and defeat this threat.’ He said the initiative’s main objective ‘is to establish a growing network of partner nations that are committed to taking effective measures to build a layered defense-in-depth that can continuously adapt to the changing nature of the threat.’ Collaborative efforts to develop better security technologies can help advance nonproliferation goals and the overall U.S. strategy to combat nuclear terrorism, Record said.~ Biometric access controls for sensitive materials, remote monitoring of facilities and personnel, and systems and software connected to rapid-response law enforcement units also can help, he said.” (U.S. Department of State; 20Jul06; Jacquelyn S.

Porth, Washington File)

http://usinfo.state.gov/xarchives/display.html?p=washfile-english&y=2006&m=July&x=20060720180116sjhtrop6.449527e-02

 

Nashville man indicted for possessing ricin: Matthews also had pipe bombs, silencers

 

“A federal grand jury has indicted a Nashville man for possessing the potentially deadly poison ricin, pipe bombs and firearms silencers, U.S. Attorney Jim Vines said Thursday. William Micheal Matthews, 55, was already in a Davidson County jail serving a nine-month sentence for violating orders of protection taken out by his wife when authorities found the ricin and two functional pipe bombs at his home May 31. Possessing biological agents for use as a weapon is punishable by up to life in prison and a $250,000 fine. Possessing explosive devices or silencers is punishable by up to 10 years’ imprisonment and a fine of up to $250,000.” (Southern Standard, 21Jul06, AP)

http://www.southernstandard.net/news.php?viewStoryPrinter=33606

 

New Pentagon WMD Committee to Meet in August

 

“A new U.S. Defense Department panel formed to help address the international dangers posed by weapons of mass destruction is scheduled to meet for the first time next month, Inside Missile Defense reported yesterday. The ‘executive committee’ consists of personnel at the level of flag officer or senior executive service, and is scheduled to meet once or twice a year, a Pentagon official said earlier this month. The committee is to be led by the deputy director for the war on terrorism in the J-5 [strategic plans and policy] directorate, the assistant to the defense secretary for nuclear and chemical and biological defense programs, and the deputy defense secretary for combating weapons of mass destruction and negotiations policy. The main goal of the committee is to establish priorities for the Combating WMD Action Group, a lower-level panel made up of officials from the combatant commands, four military services, Office of the Secretary of Defense and the defense agencies.~That group is expected to meet biweekly through teleconference to consider WMD threats.”

(Nuclear Threat Initiative, Global Security Newswire; 20Jul06)

http://www.nti.org/d_newswire/issues/2006_7_20.html#10BE28B9