Introduction to
Bugs, Gas, and Nukes
In the Western World, the experts tell us the threat today is “bugs,” “gas,” and “nukes.” In the first half of this book, we will examine two of these dangerous substances, considered to be the most likely to be used in an attack on us: smallpox and anthrax, and especially the vaccines used to protect against them.
But, before doing that, here is a brief overview of what is included in all three types of terrorist weapons:
THE BUGS: BIOLOGICAL AGENTS
Certain bacteria, viruses and toxins could be used as weapons, though most agents are difficult to process into lethal forms:
Anthrax is an infectious, but not contagious, disease that would most likely be spread by aerosol (sprayed in the air). This is because it is most dangerous when breathed into the lungs. It causes respiratory failure and death. Antibiotics help only if given early.
Smallpox is very hard to grow and aerosolize. The fact that it is so contagious and so deadly is what makes it so dangerous.
In the first half of this book, we will learn the truth about anthrax and smallpox vaccines.
Plague: Bubonic plague could be delivered via contaminated vectors (like fleas) or by aerosol. Vaccines exist; but their efficacy against aerosolized plague is unknown.
Botulinum: This toxin can cause respiratory failure and death; but lethal strains are hard to grow and weaponize. It is not contagious.
Cholera: This bacteria is stable in water and could be used to contaminate reservoirs. It can be treated with antibiotics.
Brucellosis: This is primarily a cattle disease and could be spread by aerosol. It is not transmittable from persons to persons; and antibiotics are ineffective. It would primarily be used to destroy a nation’s livestock.
THE GAS: CHEMICAL AGENTS
While some toxic agents are commercially available and can be dispersed with a simple truck, others are more technically challenging to produce and disperse.
Mustard gas: First used in World War I, this causes blisters and can be fatal if inhaled. The chemical ingredients are difficult to obtain.
Hydrogen cyanide: This is a blood agent used worldwide in the manufacture of acrylic polymers. It was reportedly used by the Iraqis against the Iranians in the late 1980s.
Sarin: This is a nerve agent developed during World War II, and causes respiratory failure. In 1995, a Japanese cult killed 12 people in a Tokyo subway with it.
CS: This is the most widely used tear gas, for riot control, that is used throughout the world. It can be lethal, but only if inhaled in very high concentrations, especially inside buildings. This, by the way, is the gas which was heavily pumped into the Branch Davidian headquarters in Waco. The U.S. citizens inside did not come out; therefore they died.
Phosgene: This is the most dangerous of the group, which are called choking agents. It accounted for 80% of all chemical deaths during World War I.
Soman: This nerve agent made up much of the former Soviet Union’s chemical arsenal. Production began in 1967. Iraq may have it today.
THE NUKES: RADIOACTIVE AGENTS
These could be delivered in the form of nuclear bomb explosions, or “dirty bombs” which are exploded by dynamite and spread radiation.
Plutonium: A fissile material used to produce nuclear bombs.
Cesium: One of the more commonly smuggled radioactive materials; but it does not explode.
Cobalt: This is used in medical laboratories, is relatively easy to smuggle, and could be very dangerous.
Uranium 235: This is highly enriched uranium, another fissile material. It is extremely dangerous, both in “dirty bombs” and in nuclear explosions.
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