PNNL-13501 - Pacific Northwest National Laboratory

information coupled with the agent characterization and
dispersion information provides the first responder with
the necessary information to determine the critical areas
for evacuation and immediate medical assistance response
actions. “What if” scenarios also can be developed along
these lines as part of the preparedness and training
activities, so the first responders can be prepared for
immediate action.
The critical information for estimating the dispersion of
an agent throughout a building is primarily buildingspecific,
which can be easily determined and developed as
part of the up-front preparedness activities for a specific
building. The health assessment system will serve as a
key tool to understand the effects and dispersion of
potential agents to help prepare potentially targeted
buildings for such attacks.
Results and Accomplishments
The components and overall design of the health
assessment system is shown graphically in Figure 1. The
following research activities were completed:
• incorporation and setup of the CONTAM model for
use in the prototype health assessment system
• incorporation of field data from a building dispersion
study conducted on the Churchville Building located
on the Aberdeen Proving Grounds to orient and
calibrate the CONTAM model (Figure 2 shows the
Churchville test facility with typical modeling versus
measurement results for the Churchville Building)
• development of a Chemical Agent Health Effect
Database (CAHED), focused around the test
chemical agent sarin
• population of the CAHED with sarin health-effect
data (incorporating only unclassified data, so the
database can be used in the generic prototype to
demonstrate capability to potential sponsors of all
classification status)
• development of a Biological Agent Health Effect
Database (BAHED), focused around the test
biological agent anthrax
• population of the database with anthrax health-effect
data (incorporating only unclassified data, so the
database can be used in the generic prototype to
demonstrate capability to potential sponsors of all
classification status)
292 FY 2000 Laboratory Directed Research and Development Annual Report
• integration of the CONTAM, CAHED, and BAHED
into the FRAMES system (Figure 3 shows the layout
of the system in FRAMES)
• development of global input and output routines so
the models and databases can pass information back
and forth within FRAMES
• development of a calculation routine to convert
CONTAM output concentration data to dose and
relate the calculated dose results to specific health
effect data in CAHED and BAHED
• development of an output format for the
building-specific concentration-dose-health effect
results from the components of the nuclear,
biological, and chemical health assessment system
that can be easily used by first responders, hospital
emergency staff, emergency coordinators and
planners, and emergency preparedness staff (Figure 4
shows the FRAMES output format).
Summary and Conclusions
The individual system components have been developed
and incorporated into an attractive and user-friendly
prototype health assessment system that operates within
the FRAMES package. The recent focus was on
developing scientifically sound components for the
system. Next year, the focus will be on critically
examining the components, drawing from outside review
and perspective where possible, and setting up an
attractive prototype for use in active application of the
system and its capabilities.
Reference
DoD. 1997. Department of Defense Report to Congress -
Domestic Preparedness Program in the Defense Against
Weapons of Mass Destruction.
http://www.defenselink.mil/pubs/domestic/index.html.
U.S. Department of Defense, Washington, D.C.
Bibliography
U.S. Army Handbook. 1996. Handbook on the Medical
Aspects of NBC Defensive Operations (Part II -
Biological and Part III - Chemical. ARMY FIELD
MANUAL 8-9 (FM 8-9), NAVMED P-5059, AFJMAN
44-151V1V2V3, U.S. Department of the Army - Office of
the Surgeon General, Washington, D.C.