Challenges on detection, identification and monitoring of indoor airborne chemical-biological agents

Abstract

Potential chemical and biological (CB) attacks in indoor spaces pose specific challenges for prevention and preparedness. This paper summarises the conclusions obtained from the work conducted in the framework of the ERNCIP11The European Reference Network for Critical Infrastructure Protection (ERNCIP) is the Commission co-financed project coordinated by Joint Research Centre aiming at providing a framework within which experimental facilities and laboratories will share knowledge and expertise in order to harmonize test protocols throughout Europe, leading to better protection of critical infrastructures against all type of threats and hazards and to the creation of a single market for security solutions. Three of the working groups deal with CBRN threats: chemical and biological risks to drinking water; detection of indoor airborne chemical-biological agents and radiological and nuclear threats to critical infrastructure.. A thorough review of the existing and emerging technologies for CB detection, coupled with simulations of CB airborne dispersion in (critical) infrastructures to investigate the implementation of such sensors is presented. The conclusions include: (a) limitations of current sensor technology, (b) the effect of spatial variability of contamination within a building envelop on the effectiveness of such technology (c) the importance of early identification of both CB compounds for post-event mitigation.