Chemical Terrorism

By James A. Geiling, MD, FCCP

Print This | TOC | Previous | Next

Case Scenario

Setting

On September 11, 2001, terrorists hijacked four aircraft. Three were flown into the World Trade Center towers and the Pentagon, and one crashed in Pennsylvania, killing approximately 3,000 people. The prime suspects for the event remain Osama bin Laden and the al Qaeda terrorist group. As a consequence, civilian security and military force protection dramatically increased across the United States, and US forces were deployed to the Middle East and Central Asia to support Operation Enduring Freedom. As a result of the September 11 events, the increased costs associated with fighting terrorism, and many other factors, economic downturn and instability continue worldwide. Initial US citizen unity and support begin to erode as security measures increase and personal economic security deteriorates.

Federal Bureau of Investigation sources report increased activity from ultraright militias in the United States, some of which may be cooperating with terrorist networks. Their antigovernment sentiment stems in part from the loss of some individual freedoms imposed by antiterrorist legislation and because of ongoing US support of Israel. The national psyche remains on edge, with cases of anthrax appearing as a result of dissemination through the mail and the source remaining unknown.

Print This | TOC | Previous | Next

3300 Dundee Road • Northbrook, Illinois 60062-2348 • (847) 498-1400 • (800) 343-2227
Copyright ©1999-2009 American College of Chest Physicians. All Rights Reserved.
ACCP Privacy Policy | ACCP Web Site Terms of Use