Fall has begun to settle heavy on southern Maine. The leaves are changing, casting an orange and red veil on the country hillsides surrounding Portland and Gorham. Some students are settling into the autumnal spirit, heading out of the city to enjoy the beauty of fall. A few, perhaps, are picking the plump apples from nearby farms, anxious for the first taste of warm homemade apple pie.
Yet many cannot fully appreciate the cool relax of the season.
The despair over the terrorist attacks on Sept. 11 weighs heavy on students’ hearts, and the threat of another attack seems a widespread concern.
Much of the student body fears a biological attack.
“I’m scared. Real scared,” said Eric Stern, a junior psychology major. “We’re pretty close to New York and Boston – areas they say are the biggest targets.”
Despite this fear, the University administration has not yet established a campus response plan for a biological attack.
Craig Hutchinson, vice president for Student Development, said no planning has been done on campus, but the University would be involved with any emergency response planning discussions that took place in the community.
“[In the event of an attack] we would use Cumberland County Emergency Response,” said Al Kirk, Occupational Safety and Health coordinator. “We rely heavily on those agencies – Cumberland County and whatever law enforcement is involved.”
Though the threat of a biological attack may be a legitimate concern, some experts say that Maine is at low risk of being targeted, and that an attack on New York City or Boston may not pose serious health risks to Mainers.
Retired Air Force Col. Richard Price, editor of The Applied Science and Analysis Newsletter, a publication specializing in biological, chemical, and nuclear warfare analysis and defense, says that Mainers should not panic.
Maine is an unlikely target and that the chances of dangerous levels of biological agents reaching Maine from New York City or Boston are minute, according Price, who was trained by the U.S. Army to assess the military’s defense systems against biological attack.
“The chances of biological warfare in Maine, to be honest, are minimal. Where is the target?” he said.
Difficulty of an effective attack
Of the myriad biological weapons available, the three best known and the most talked about are anthrax, smallpox, and botulism, said Price.
One method that could effectively spread all three agents is aerosolization, similar to spraying an aerosol can, but on a much larger scale. This method could prove lethal for a high percentage of a large city’s population if carried out properly.
However, the adaptations required on the equipment for effective use with biological agents are hard to obtain, according to Price.
Furthermore, he said, the chemical transport trucks necessary to haul large amounts of weapons require special licenses for carrying hazardous material, and the government is keeping a heavy eye on who is applying for them.
However, there is fear that some potential terrorists may have illegally obtained such licenses. The Portland Press Herald recently reported that 20 people from seven states have been accused of paying off a Pennsylvania state examiner to obtain hazardous materials licenses in recent years.
The FBI concluded however, there is no connection with the recent attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon. But authorities are investigating the possibility the people were involved with a separate terrorist plot.
Another method of dissemination is the release of large quantities of a bacteria or virus from a crop dusting airplane. A terrorist could also dump the agent from the roof of a tall building. These methods, primarily used for anthrax, have complications that limit the efficacy of the attack.
“Dumping anthrax spores is far-fetched,” said Price. “Sunlight has a detrimental effect on them, and special nozzles would be needed [on a crop duster] for it to work properly.”
Dumping from the top of a building would only affect a small number of people, he said.
Additionally, Price said anthrax spores are difficult to replicate under laboratory conditions, and leave chemical fingerprints that would allow federal agents to trace the source of the weapons.
Smallpox can be introduced via an aerosol, but is most readily spread by person-to-person contact. Infection requires close contact with an infected person and could spread violently. People who received the smallpox vaccination may not get the disease or may get a weaker form. However, smallpox was considered eradicated in 1977, according to the Federation of American Scientists. Manufacture and distribution of the vaccine was subsequently stopped.
Any agents spread through public water sources could be deadly, but they can rapidly dilute into safe levels.
Protection
In the event of a biological attack, there are several simple safeguards and protections that can reduce the risk of infection. Eating pre-packaged food and drinking only from safe sources can safeguard a person from ingesting hazardous agents. A person should remain current with all shots to ensure a healthy immune system. A good diet, exercise, and plenty of sleep can also help boost immunity.
Wearing protective clothing, such as heavy, long-sleeve shirts and long pants, in addition to a face shield, can help reduce infection by preventing the germs from entering the body by ingestion, inhalation, or through open cuts.
Gas masks have been in high demand since the attacks on Washington and New York City. Most stores, including The Surplus Store in Portland and the Army Barracks in Conway, N.H. sold out of such masks in three to four days after the Sept. 11 attack. The Army Barracks reported sold as many as 200 units for around $20 a piece. Both stores are currently unable to obtain any more masks.
Despite the high demand, the models sold at surplus and survival stores may be ineffective to biological or chemical weapons, according to some experts.
“Army/Navy store masks are actually more dangerous because filters are outdated,” Price said.
The Boston Globe reported that a good gas mask should cost around $300, should have a double filtration system consisting of a fine screen and a charcoal filter and should fit securely. The report stated that many masks are designed specifically for adult men and if hair or facial hair prevented a good seal, the mask would be ineffective.
Just in case
Although some may not consider Maine to be at high risk of attack, the public should remain informed and maintain a high level of vigilance, according to health officials.
Most biological agents are treatable but may infect a person for several days before the disease produces major symptoms and has become incurable.
Despite the technical difficulties of properly dispersing a biological agent, such diseases are highly potent and small quantities of agent can infect large populations. Communicable diseases such as smallpox can continue to spread long after the attack is over. And the diseases must be identified quickly or treatment will be ineffective.
Furthermore, anthrax, which is rarely communicable, can continually spread accidentally and remains viable for extended periods of time.
According to Price, viable anthrax spores have been found in ancient Egyptian tombs. Price said that because Portland is a working port, anthrax could be tracked onto a ship in another location, such as Boston or New York and “we could unknowingly offload something into Portland.”
Price is quick to remind, however, that Portland is at a low risk to a terrorist attack.
Because of the difficulties involved, he said, “with the average `Tom Terrorist,’ it’s not going to be a huge event. It’s only going to scare the hell out of you.”
Staff Writer Matt Clifford can be contacted at: [email protected]