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The 130th Annual Meeting of APHA |
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The 130th Annual Meeting of APHA |
Tarah Sage Somers, RN MSN/MPH, Richard F Collins, MSEH, REHS, DAAS, Larry Cseh, RS, MSA, and Edward Tupin, MSCHP. Division of Health Assessment and Consultation, Federal Facilities Branch, Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR), Executive Park, Building 33, 1600 Clifton Road NE, E-56, Atlanta, GA 30333, 404-498-0352, TVS4@cdc.gov
Bacillus anthracis (anthrax) spores, as used in bioterrorism, present an unusual environmental health nursing challenge. In the environment, anthrax spores behave more like a persistent hazardous material than like other communicable diseases. Environmental health nurses can play a key role in helping to control and manage a bioterrorist event like the release of anthrax spores. A very brief overview of the microbiology and disease etiology of anthrax used as a bioterrorism weapon provides a foundation for the presentation. Levels of personal protection needed for working in an environment containing anthrax, included a description of the process used to decide on the specific types of personal protective equipment and antibiotic prophylaxis needed will be discussed. The presentation will describe how sampling plans are developed and the sampling methods for anthrax. The specific roles that environmental health nurses can perform during a bio-terrorist event is also defined. The mission of the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) is to investigate and assess environmental health hazards. Because of this mission, the ATSDR has a unique perspective on anthrax sampling and clean up. Many ATSDR staff were involved in the anthrax response in Florida, Washington D.C., New York and Connecticut. The information presented in this session will come from the experiences, data gathered, and lessons learned at the ATSDR.
Learning Objectives: At the end of the session, that learner will be able to
Keywords: Bioterrorism, Environmental Health
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR)
I have a significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.
Relationship: Duty Station for Employment in the Public Health Service Corps.