Posted: 8/13/2010 6:31:24 PM EDT
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What's the best mask or respirator on a budget for this type of chemical?
Just saw that video (you know which one) and the wifey and me are convinced this'll be the next attack. |
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What's the best mask or respirator on a budget for this type of chemical? Just saw that video (you know which one) and the wifey and me are convinced this'll be the next attack. Anthrax isn't a chemical, its a disease contracted from the anthracis bacterium which produces spores, so no special filter is needed except that it must be able to filter to better than 0.5 microns. Anthracis can infect from inhalation, ingestion, or through openings such as cuts. BioThrax (AVA) is the vaccine for protection (about 90+% effective). You need 6 injections in the first 18 months at specific times then a booster every year thereafter. Your basic half-face respirator, if properly fitted and using true HEPA filtration, meets the NIOSH suggestions for respiratory protection. For real protection, you need to completely cover all skin and eyes in addition to the respiratory protection (think complete MOPP gear including boots and gloves). |
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If the specific threat you are concerned about is Anthrax then a mask would be of limited value. If you were aware than an area was contaminated or had prior warning of an attack then it would help but the best defense as many have noted before is inoculation.
Most likely, if you are in an area that becomes contaminated due to a terrorist attack you are not going to get any warning and not have the opportunity to don any type of protection before becoming exposed. As Maine_11B_to_Nurse pointed out, Anthrax is a biological weapon not a chemical weapon. Once people in the area that is attacked become infected they will unknowing spread it to other people outside that zone until it is detected and some type of action is taken. In a chemical attach it will be immediately evident what has happened and the threat of contamination outside a limited area is much less. Now, if you are a first responder some of this changes... With that being said, I would still want respirator as additional protection once I became aware what was happening. Besides, you never know what the bad guys might follow up with... Andy.. |
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If you are worried that your fish might contract it, order some Cipro from a vet supplier. In all seriousness I think this is the drug of choice. I deal with Anthrax suspects in animals all the time. I have never had a positive, but if I did, being allergic to penecillin, I think I would be perscribed Cipro. Now, weapons grade Anthrax is a whole different monster. It's been genetically engineered to be more virulent and the infections are much more accute. If you think you have been exposed I would think you have to start Cipro emediately way before any symptoms occur to have a chance. I understand your concern. My only problem is, weapons grade Anthrax is relatively understood. I think if an attack happend the government could respond quick enough before too many fatalities occured. I'm much more concerned about nuclear "dirty bombs" where the problems can remain for years. You might be exposed and live, but die of cancer 5 years later- |
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Quoted: What's the best mask or respirator on a budget for this type of chemical? Just saw that video (you know which one) and the wifey and me are convinced this'll be the next attack. 1) Anthrax is a bacteria, not a chemical. 2) 7-shot vaccine series, in the arm. They make your arm sore each time you get one. |
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http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anthrax#Treatment
Treatment Anthrax cannot be spread directly from person to person, but a patient's clothing and body may be contaminated with anthrax spores. Effective decontamination of people can be accomplished by a thorough wash down with antimicrobial effective soap and water. Waste water should be treated with bleach or other anti-microbial agent. Effective decontamination of articles can be accomplished by boiling contaminated articles in water for 30 minutes or longer. Chlorine bleach is ineffective in destroying spores and vegetative cells on surfaces, though formaldehyde is effective. Burning clothing is very effective in destroying spores. After decontamination, there is no need to immunize, treat or isolate contacts of persons ill with anthrax unless they were also exposed to the same source of infection. Early antibiotic treatment of anthrax is essential—delay significantly lessens chances for survival. Treatment for anthrax infection and other bacterial infections includes large doses of intravenous and oral antibiotics, such as fluoroquinolones, like ciprofloxacin (cipro), doxycycline, erythromycin, vancomycin or penicillin. In possible cases of inhalation anthrax, early antibiotic prophylaxis treatment is crucial to prevent possible death. In May 2009, Human Genome Sciences submitted a Biologic License Application (BLA, permission to market) for its new drug, raxibacumab (brand name ABthrax) intended for emergency treatment of inhaled anthrax.[28] If death occurs from anthrax the body should be isolated to prevent possible spread of anthrax germs. Burial does not kill anthrax spores. If a person is suspected as having died from anthrax, every precaution should be taken to avoid skin contact with the potentially contaminated body and fluids exuded through natural body openings. The body should be put in strict quarantine. A blood sample taken in a sealed container and analyzed in an approved laboratory should be used to ascertain if anthrax is the cause of death. Microscopic visualization of the encapsulated bacilli, usually in very large numbers, in a blood smear stained with polychrome methylene blue (McFadyean stain) is fully diagnostic, though culture of the organism is still the gold standard for diagnosis. Full isolation of the body is important to prevent possible contamination of others. Protective, impermeable clothing and equipment such as rubber gloves, rubber apron, and rubber boots with no perforations should be used when handling the body. No skin, especially if it has any wounds or scratches, should be exposed. Disposable personal protective equipment is preferable, but if not available, decontamination can be achieved by autoclaving. Disposable personal protective equipment and filters should be autoclaved, and/or burned and buried. Bacillus anthracis bacillii range from 0.5–5.0 μm in size. Anyone working with anthrax in a suspected or confirmed victim should wear respiratory equipment capable of filtering this size of particle or smaller. The US National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) and Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) approved high efficiency-respirator, such as a half-face disposable respirator with a high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter, is recommended.[29] All possibly contaminated bedding or clothing should be isolated in double plastic bags and treated as possible bio-hazard waste. The victim should be sealed in an airtight body bag. Dead victims that are opened and not burned provide an ideal source of anthrax spores. Cremating victims is the preferred way of handling body disposal. No embalming or autopsy should be attempted without a fully equipped biohazard laboratory and trained and knowledgeable personnel. Delays of only a few days may make the disease untreatable and treatment should be started even without symptoms if possible contamination or exposure is suspected. Animals with anthrax often just die without any apparent symptoms. Initial symptoms may resemble a common cold—sore throat, mild fever, muscle aches and malaise. After a few days, the symptoms may progress to severe breathing problems and shock and ultimately death. Death can occur from about two days to a month after exposure with deaths apparently peaking at about 8 days after exposure.[30] Antibiotic-resistant strains of anthrax are known. In recent years there have been many attempts to develop new drugs against anthrax, but existing drugs are effective if treatment is started soon enough. Early detection of sources of anthrax infection can allow preventive measures to be taken. In response to the anthrax attacks of October 2001 the United States Postal Service (USPS) installed BioDetection Systems (BDS) in their large scale mail cancellation facilities. BDS response plans were formulated by the USPS in conjunction with local responders including fire, police, hospitals and public health. Employees of these facilities have been educated about anthrax, response actions and prophylactic medication. Because of the time delay inherent in getting final verification that anthrax has been used, prophylactic antibiotic treatment of possibly exposed personnel must be started as soon as possible. |
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A mask (n95 or n99 as it can protect from a host of agents) *One time use*. Really a hood with a mechanical respirator would be best.
Disposable gloves, a throw away one piece suit, heavy boots (waterproof smooth easy to decon), duck tape. Mopp would be great except that once you are in an active area you need to decon everything, preferably with bleach...since MOPP suits is cloth it will then need to dry. Also, the washing will remove the charcoal in it. To give you an idea of how bad weaponized anthrax is< it took the Army 25 yrs to successfully sterilize the building it was made it in at Ft Detrick and tear it down. The building was decontaminated with paraformaldehyde numerous times throughout that time. The Anthrax spores are very small and can hide and be active in the smallest of areas in a building. |
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If you are worried that your fish might contract it, order some Cipro from a vet supplier. Remember to order it again when it expires which should be about the same time your fish will contract it again. Most pharmaceutical companies have a 6 month leeway on their expiration dates, just FYI- |
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If you are worried that your fish might contract it, order some Cipro from a vet supplier. In all seriousness I think this is the drug of choice. I deal with Anthrax suspects in animals all the time. I have never had a positive, but if I did, being allergic to penecillin, I think I would be perscribed Cipro. Now, weapons grade Anthrax is a whole different monster. It's been genetically engineered to be more virulent and the infections are much more accute. If you think you have been exposed I would think you have to start Cipro emediately way before any symptoms occur to have a chance. I understand your concern. My only problem is, weapons grade Anthrax is relatively understood. I think if an attack happend the government could respond quick enough before too many fatalities occured. I'm much more concerned about nuclear "dirty bombs" where the problems can remain for years. You might be exposed and live, but die of cancer 5 years later- Cipro has to be started with 48 hours of exposure to weapons grade anthrax. Symptoms will take 48 hours to 8 weeks to develop based on exposure concentration. Cipro must be maintained the entire time. Just so you know how long to treat the fish and how much you need to keep on hand for the fish. |