Environmental Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
Baath Party:
The official political party in Iraq until the U.S. “de-baathified” Iraq
in May 2003, after a war that lasted a little over a month. Saddam Hussein,
the former ruler of the Baath party, was targeted by American-led coalition
forces and fled. Baath party members have been officially banned from
participating in any new government in Iraq.
Beltway Sniper:
For nearly a month in October 2002, Washington, DC; Maryland;
and Virginia were the hunting grounds for 41-year-old John Allen
Muhammad and 17-year-old Lee Boyd Malvo. Dubbed the “Beltway
Sniper” by the media, they shot people at seemingly random places such as
schools, restaurants, and gas stations.
Bioaccumulative:
Substances that concentrate in living organisms rather than being
eliminated through natural processes; occurs in those who breathe contam-
inated air, drink or live in contaminated water, or eat contaminated food.
Biochemical warfare:
Collective term for the use of both chemical warfare and
biological warfare weapons.
Biochemterroism:
Terrorism using biological or chemical agents as weapons.
Biological ammunition:
Ammunition designed specifically to release a biological
agent used as the warhead for biological weapons. Biological ammunition
may take many forms, such as a missile warhead or bomb.
Biological attacks:
The deliberate release of germs or other biological substances
that cause illness.
Biosafety Level 1:
Considered suitable for work involving well-characterized bio-
logical agents not known to consistently cause disease in healthy adult
humans, and of minimal potential hazard to lab personnel and the envi-
ronment. Work is generally conducted on open bench tops using standard
microbiological practices.
Biosafety Level 2:
Considered suitable for work involving biological agents of mod-
erate potential hazard to personnel and the environment. Lab personnel
should have specific training in handling pathogenic agents and be directed
by competent scientists. Access to the lab should be limited when work is
being conducted, extreme precautions should be taken with contaminated
sharp items, and certain procedures should be conducted in biological
safety cabinets or other physical containment equipment if there is a risk of
creating infectious aerosols or splashes.
Biosafety Level 3:
Considered suitable for work done with indigenous or exotic
biological agents that may cause serious or potentially lethal disease as a
result of exposure by inhalation. Lab personnel must have specific training
in handling pathogenic and potentially lethal agents and be supervised by
competent scientists who are experienced in working with these agents. All
procedures involving the manipulation of infectious material are conducted
within biological safety cabinets or other physical containment devices, or
by personnel wearing appropriate personal protective clothing and equip-
ment. The lab must have special engineering and design features.
Biosafety Level 4:
Considered suitable for work with the most infectious biologi-
cal agents. Access to the two Biosafety Level 4 labs in the United States is
highly restricted.
