The state has added another asset to protect Nebraskans in the event of a terrorist attack. In addition to bioterrorism, the Nebraska Public Health Laboratory (NPHL) has a chemical terrorism preparedness laboratory that can rapidly detect and analyze agents that may be used in a chemical terrorist attack.
The lab, which is located at the University of Nebraska Medical Center, can analyze substances in human blood and urine resulting from suspected or known chemical terrorism incidents or accidents. Officials say the lab could provide answers of whether individuals were exposed to certain chemical agents and to what extent.
The lab is funded by the Nebraska Health and Human Services System through the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The “Focus Area D” lab is part of the CDC’s Laboratory Response Network Chemical Terrorism Level II lab chemical terrorism preparedness program.
Level II labs are certified to collect and ship human samples, and analyze samples for evidence of industrial chemicals and selected chemical agents. Most states have funded such labs which will provide local, and national support if needed.
Douglas Stickle, Ph.D., UNMC associate professor and technical director, clinical chemistry, UNMC Department of Pathology and Microbiology, said the lab was funded last year by the CDC through the state. More than half a million dollars has been invested so far in equipment, training and staff. The lab has acquired two mass spectrometers — highly specialized chemical analyzers. More funding is expected.
Though mass spectrometers are available in private labs, the CDC emergency response plan mandates that selected chemicals be tested using CDC procedures in public health laboratories like the NPHL, Dr. Stickle said. In addition, the lab has a reserve of laboratory technologists who can be mobilized if needed.
Chemical agents could be considered anything highly toxic by exposure or ingestion.
The list of chemical agents, according to the CDC, can include: nerve agents, such as sarin; blood agents such as hydrogen cyanide and cyanogen chloride; blister agents, including nitrogen and sulfur mustards; heavy metals such as arsenic, lead and mercury; and pesticides.
Early detection and response to biological or chemical terrorism is crucial to minimizing the effects on the population and infrastructure. Besides those directly affected at the scene of an attack, officials say potentially large numbers of “worried well,” who would seek medical attention as a result of widespread fear of contagion. This could overwhelm the corresponding need for medical supplies, diagnostic tests, and hospital beds.
Current capabilities of the lab include testing for cyanide, arsenic, and 12 heavy metals such as uranium and lead, all potential substances that could be used by terrorists. Lab personnel receive training through the CDC. Lab staff, which consist of two laboratory specialists, a coordinator and assistant coordinator, are on call 24 hours a day.
Tony Sambol, coordinator of the lab, said the chemical lab also serves a dual role, as most other bioterrorism-related assets in the NPHL.
“The same machine that tests an agent used in a suspected chemical attack can ultimately be used to test for a naturally occurring disease, just as the machine testing white powder for anthrax can be used to test mosquitoes for West Nile virus.”
Since 9/11, officials nationwide have been concerned about terrorists targeting public infrastructure, such as the food or water supply. Dr. Stickle said cyanide could be a potential threat because it’s a rapidly acting, potentially deadly chemical that can exist in various forms.
Dana El-Hajjar, technologist in the laboratory, said the lab recently completed validations for heavy metals in urine and for cyanide metabolites in whole blood. Validations tests were certified by the CDC.
She said the next focus will be to meet requirements for testing of arsenic and nerve agents in urine. She said neither she nor her co-workers ever want to experience a real event “But it’s a real possibility. In case it happens, we’ll be prepared,” said El-Hajjar.
Besides analyzing substances that could be used for chemical terrorism, lab specialists also are involved in frequent testing of other solid and liquid substances for state and federal law enforcement. An infrared microscope can provide preliminary analysis within an hour versus days or weeks it can take to do a traditional chemical analysis.
“This enables law enforcement to get results much faster,” Dr. Stickle said. “It’s basically a ‘fingerprint’ of the substance and identification can be achieved rapidly by computer comparison to a database consisting of thousands of chemicals. The whole process can take less than an hour.”