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For the Professional in Government, Industry and
Academia with an interest in Nuclear, Biological and Chemical Defense,
Disarmament and Verification; Chemical and Biological Terrorism; Emergency
and Disaster Medical Planning; Industrial Health and Safety; and Environmental
Protection.
ASA 02-1, Issue No. 88, February 29, 2002
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CBMTS IV: Selected Abstracts
Anthrax Vaccines: Future Targets
Robert M. DeBell, Ph.D. , Battelle Memorial Institute
In
1997, a Russian paper in the journal Vaccine described the transfer
of the cereolysin AB genes from B. cereus to B. anthracis. This
recombinant B. anthracis lysed red blood cells and caused anthrax
in Golden hamsters vaccinated with the STI-1 vaccine. These two
observations may not be mutually exclusive. A recent report from
a group at the Institut Pasteur showed that the insertion of a
multicopy plasmid containing the plcR gene into B. anthracis resulted
in the expression of several proteins. Similar results were obtained
when a single copy of the plcR gene was inserted into the chromosome
of B. anthracis. In both cases, the recombinant organisms showed
hemolytic activity. Using an E. coli T7 expression system, another
research group cloned the cereolysin AB genes (cerA and cerB)
and the plcR gene from both B. anthracis and B. cereus. They found
that cerA and cerB in B. anthracis are functionally active and
similar to those of B. cereus.
Full Article
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The Chemical and Biological Medical Treatment
Symposium (CBMTS) IV
Spiez Laboratory
Spiez, Switzerland
28 April - 3 May 2002
Spiez, Switzerland.
Many
to most of the registration forms have been completed, accommodations
are being selected, and many to most of the abstracts have been
received. We are still accepting requests for registration but
the numbers to be accepted will be limited because of space restraints.
We
are very pleased with the number, exceptional high quality and
the pertinence of the papers to today's environment and the CBMTS
IV requirements. These papers cover every facet of the problems
all face in the convoluted and complex arena of chemical, biological
and radiological readiness, whether the problems are war, terrorism
or accidents and incidents involving the civil and military infrastructure,
public health and the industrial base in every country. These
papers not only help surface and define the problems but they
provide the knowledge needed to develop those solutions that most
adequately fit the requirements of our members as individuals
and as representatives of over 25 countries that will be present
at CBMTS IV.
Full Article
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The Anthrax Saga: A Different
Scenario
by Reginald Bartholomew
Although
the US position seems to be that the prime suspect in the Anthrax
saga is an American, could we consider a different scenario? Could
this scenario be wrong - sure.
Some
givens in our position are based on assumptions. The US does not
operate in a vacuum and what is available in the US is in all
probability available around the world where there is technical
expertise and the required funds to carry out whatever program
is desired. ASA has previously stated that US organizations, such
as American Type Culture and others in that business, have sold
feed stock for innumerable pathogens to innumerable bad actors,
such as Saddam, over the many years that it took them to understand
that academic freedom in a dictatorship is problematic at best.
Actually, Congress put the pressure on these organizations to
get their act together.
Full Article
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Due to events following September 11th, the
focus of recent ASA Newsletter issues has been predominantly
on bio and terrorism. Now, with John Hart's piece on the current
treatment of PFIB under the CWC, the Newsletter is able to shift
back towards the problems within the chemical arena. PFIB will
be familiar to most as a potential CW agent. It is also produced
in significant quantities by the fluoropolymer industry as a
temporary by-product. The article shows CWC implementation at
the working-level and gives readers background information on
how the chemical might be captured by the CWC. As always the
ASA Newsletter would welcome your comments on this significant
area.
The Treatment of Perfluorisobutylene
under the Chemical Weapons Convention
by John Hart
SIPRI*
Introduction
Perfluoroisobutylene (PFIB) is produced as a common by-product,
in tens of thousands of ton quantities, in the fluoropolymer
industry, including the production of 1,1,1,3,3,3-hexafluoro-2-propanol
(HFP) and tetrafluoroethylene (TFE) and processes involving
the pyrolysis of polytetrafluoroethene (PTFE), more commonly
known by its trade name Teflon. As an unwanted by-product with
apparently no known commercial uses above 1 metric ton [1],
it is generally eliminated through scrubbing or thermal treatment.
PFIB can cause pulmonary edema and those affected must then
be treated for "polymer fume fever."[2] It can also act as a
"mask breaker". Because PFIB is nonpolar it cannot be adsorbed
by carbon. [3] PFIB's toxicity and effect are similar to those
of phosgene and, like phosgene, no treatment for exposure is
currently available with the exception of complete avoidance
of physical activity. Based on publicly available literature,
it seems impossible to state with certainty whether the compound
has ever actually been weaponized and incorporated into an offensive
chemical weapon (CW) program.
Full Article
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