efore the fall of 2001, the term bioterrorism was unfamiliar to most Americans. That all changed with reports of anthrax being sent in the mail to media outlets and government officials. What was once a remote possibility became a reality for everyone in our country. Even though relatively few people were directly affected by the anthrax incidents, concern about the safety of our mail was widespread.

Since the anthrax attacks, much has been reported about other possible threats involving nuclear, biological and chemical agents. This next section of information is meant as an overview for some of the most often mentioned agents – what they are, what their effects are on people, and how they are removed from our environment. The information is not meant to alarm, but rather give Bostonians a basic understanding of unfamiliar terms that they may see, hear or read about in the popular media.

See information for specific agents listed on the right.