Assessing and improving bioterrorism preparedness among first responders: a pilot study; Methyl bromide fumigant lethal to Bacillus anthracis spores; Say what? Who? Me? Right here in the trenches? Collaborate on what? Seeking common ground in regional all-hazards preparedness training; Defining the role of the environmental health profession in homeland security.

The NEHA Bookstore offers a number of resources that cover emergency, disaster, and terrorism planning and response:

Chemical and Biological Terrorism Preparedness Manual

NEHA (2004, Revised with added resources)

NEHA's Chemical and Biological Terrorism Preparedness Manual can assist environmental health and health care professionals, as well as other first responders, prepare for and respond to acts of chemical and biological terrorism. This pocket-sized manual is designed to be used both as a field resource and for education, professional development, and training in chemical and biological terrorism preparedness, readiness, response, and recovery. Descriptive tables and charts provide technical information on chemical and biological agents and arsenals. Summary descriptions also are provided to facilitate quick agent identification: They cover symptoms and indicators, detection and dispersion methods, personal protective equipment, and decontamination procedures. Links to state, national, and federal bioterrorism programs are listed, as well as links to environmental health information services, agencies, organizations, associations, reference guides, manuals, newsletters, and periodicals.

127 pages, softcover. Member: $20. Nonmember: $30. Catalog #1022.

Emergency Response to Chemical and Biological Agents

John R. Cashman (1999)

It has become increasingly important that emergency response teams be trained to handle incidents involving biological and chemical agents. This publication serves as a training manual. The author covers poisons such as nerve poisons, blood poisons, blister agents, and choking gases and biological agents such as anthrax, typhus, and cholera. Using examples taken from the headlines, he explains what is and is not a terrorist act, and the difference that distinction makes in the handling of each incident. Emergency Response to Chemical and Biological Agents illustrates its points with case studies; discusses the safe handling and disposal of biological and chemical agents; explains the standard operations of hazardous materials teams before, during, and after an incident; and covers search-and-rescue procedures and explosive-ordinance disposal.

360 pages, hardcover. Member: $105. Nonmember: $115. Catalog #1015.

Public Health Issues in Disaster Preparedness: Focus on Bioterrorism

Edited by Lloyd F. Novick, M.D., M.P.H., and John Marr, M.D., M.P.H. (2003)

This book makes recommendations that can help increase preparedness in emergency situations. It is intended for use by government agencies, public and private corporations, and the general public. Highlights of this reference include a description of the planning and communication elements necessary to reduce the risk to the population, an outline of the technical aspects of bioterrorism agents, and a discussion of the mental health effects of disaster.

150 pages, softcover. Member: $70. Nonmember: $80. Catalog #1020.

Disaster Field Manual

CCDEH Disaster Preparedness Technical Committee (1994)

The Disaster Field Manual, prepared by the Disaster Preparedness Technical Committee of the California Conference of Directors of Environmental Health, will be a useful guide for the environmental health professional following a major disaster. It provides an excellent overview of the key response and recovery options that environmental health professionals will need to consider to make prompt and informed decisions in the interest of public health and safety While the manual is not intended to serve as a disaster response plan, it can supplement existing plans with the information most needed by an environmental health practitioner in responding to a disaster. Some of the topics covered, as they relate to disasters, include water, food, liquid waste/sewage, solid waste disposal, housing/mass-care shelters, vector control, hazardous materials, medical waste, and responding to a radiological incident. The manual is made of water-resistant paper and is small enough to fit in a pocket, making it useful in the field.

149 pages, hardcover. Member: $35. Nonmember: $45. Catalog #535.

Library Corner is designed to supplement the articles in each issue by describing additional information resources pertaining to featured topics. If a particular Journal article piques your interest, check the Library Corner--more information may be available. For your convenience, the sources cited in Library Corner will be available for purchase through NEHA's online bookstore at www.neha.org. For more information, please call [phone], ext. 0.