Anthrax Exposure Protocols/Procedures

• The federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has information on handling anthrax-related incidents. updated 12-21-2001
• We've added several links on bomb threat advice to our Q&A page, which includes a book on the subject.
• The federal Centers for Disease Control (CDC) has posted specific information about anthrax, as well as other chemical and biological agents that might be used in a terrorist attack. Also check this Health Alert issued by the CDC [Acrobat, pdf version]
• The U.S. Postal Service has posted Web page on screening mail, including an 18"x24" poster [Acrobat, pdf, 126k], and a high-resolution version of the poster [.jpg, 275k].
• The city of Austin's (Tex.) Office of Emergency Management has posted some excellent materials on both how to screen your mail and anthrax.
• The FBI has posted a flyer that you can view on-line or download (Acrobat, pdf) that explains how to handle a suspicious letter or package.
• The training company PowerPhone Inc. has posted a National Training Bulletin dealing with biological agent threats, including anthrax, chemical or radiological threats. Check their Web page or download an Acrobat (pdf, 138k) version of the information.
• CDC "The Public Health Response to Biological and Chemical Terrorism: Interim Planning Guidance for State Public Health Officials." [Acrobat, pdf 1.1 Mb]

The following material was prepared and posted by Isolation Systems, Inc. While we can't verify the effectiveness of the recommendations, they do seem to have some common sense basis--contain the exposure and get professional help.

• As soon as you see the dust, exhale and turn away and take your next breath six to ten feet away from the dust.
• Spray the dust with bleach solution if possible to kill the spore, or any kind of water to stop them from getting airborne.
• Move slowly as not to get the spores airborne, and place clean tissue, cloth or other barrier to breath though over your mouth and nose and dampen with water if possible
• Warn others to close the doors, windows and vents to stop air currents. Call for emergency response from EMS, Fire, or Police.
• Place plastic over the suspected dust and seal down with duct tape ASAP.
• Get a Tyvec coverall, or in an emergency a large trash bag and cut or tear out two corners and a spot on the bottom and place over your clothes to stop any spores from your clothes from getting inhaled.
• Go to closest water source and spray your clothes under the bag to wet it and take them off and carefully place them in another plastic bag and seal. Wash your hands when complete. Then blow your nose or cough as hard as you can into a cloth and place it in a separate bag for examination to see if any spores were inhaled.
• When EMS arrives, ask for Tyvec suit to put on and go with them to medical facility for decontamination and exam of your breathing passages.
• Insure all air vents and HVAC have been turned off and sealed with plastic so the dust cannot spread to other areas
• Do not panic, but move deliberately and carry a cell phone if you can to communicate to authorities, or family or others who will need to ask you questions.
• Relax, the chances of getting a fatal dose that cannot be controlled with antibiotics is about the same risk as dying in a car crash on the way to work if you act approximately.
• Remember and write down every detail about how you came to contact the dust and give this information to authorities.

This emergency response protocol for office workers was developed by Isolation Systems Inc., which says it's the "the manufacture (sic) of the only anthrax response system in the US at www.hivroom.com and their technical director.

© Copyright 2001 Isolation Systems Inc., posted with permission. Isolation Systems Inc. 79 Fillmore Ave. Tonawanda, NY 14150, 716-694-6390.

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