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Recognizing the unique signs
and symptoms of NBC agent exposure
may be the first early indicator of a terrorist attack. This clinical impression may be augmented,
under certain circumstances, by agent-specific detectors. However, with the exception of radiation
detectors (e.g., Geiger counters), NBC agent detectors currently have limited
capability to immediately identify the offending agent. Each of the various types of detectors
currently available has certain limitations.
If chemical and biological detectors are available for use on the
decontamination line, they will most likely be gross-level detectors. Gross-level detection systems only have
the capability to detect agents at fairly high concentrations. In the case of a chemical terrorist
attack, the absence of chemical agent detection by a gross-level system,
therefore, would not ensure a chemical casualty had been thoroughly
decontaminated. Such a casualty could
still harbor harmful levels of contamination which the instrument might not
be sensitive enough to detect.
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Unless a sensitive low-level
detector is available (such as a gas chromatograph, in the case of chemical
detection), the best way to ensure the effectiveness of decontamination is to
use well-trained personnel and observe the decon process to verify its thoroughness. Many chemical detectors have the added
limitation of being able to detect agent only if it is present in the ambient
air in a vapor state. These vapor
detection systems, such as that shown on the slide, may not detect relatively
non-volatile chemicals such as VX, particularly at low ambient temperatures.
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