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Results prepared November 27, 2012
Records included: 171
For more information on TRB hazards and security
research activities please contact:
Stephan A. Parker, Senior Program Officer
Transportation Research Board
500 Fifth Street NW
Washington, DC 20001
202-334-2554
saparker@nas.edu
Sept. 9 -- In a statement, the presidents of the NAS, NAE, and IOM reflect on the losses of Sept. 11 and our
commitment to find ways to better protect the nation. (U.S. Navy photo by Michael W. Pendergrass)
Sept. 9, 2011
A Statement by the Presidents of the National Academy of Sciences,
National Academy of Engineering, and Institute of Medicine in
Commemoration of the 10th Anniversary of 9/11
We join our fellow citizens in remembering the victims of the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks and their
families on the 10th anniversary of that tragic day. We are grateful to the nation’s first responders, and
recall the heroism of emergency workers at Ground Zero in New York City and here at the Pentagon. And
we are thankful to all those who have served to defend and protect our nation over the past decade.
In the aftermath of Sept. 11, our scientific, engineering, and medical communities took on a heightened
responsibility to pursue research aimed at strengthening the security of the United States. Within a year of
the attacks, the National Research Council issued the report Making the Nation Safer: The Role of
Science and Technology in Countering Terrorism. Other reports and workshops since then have helped
to better protect the country from terrorism and prepare for future emergencies.
We will never forget the tragic losses of Sept. 11.
Ralph J. Cicerone
President, National Academy of Sciences
Charles M. Vest
President, National Academy of Engineering
Harvey V. Fineberg
President, Institute of Medicine
Key Hazards and Security Products of The National Academies—www.TRB.org/NASecurityProducts (November 27, 2012)
www.TRB.org/SecurityPubs
A slideshow summary of the Transportation Research Board’s pre- and post-September 11,
2001, transportation hazards and security activities is one of the 100+ publications available
for download or ordering at www.TRB.org/SecurityPubs. The list of publications is updated
weekly.
The National Academies > Earth & Life Studies > Disasters Roundtable
Disasters Roundtable Workshop Summaries (2001- present)
34: Integrating Disaster Recovery: What Should Long-Term Disaster Recovery Look Like? (March 21,2012)
33: Coexisting with Risk from Natural Disasters
32 : Using Lessons from Haiti and Chile to Reduce Global Risk
30: Designing for Disaster Resilience
29: Remote Sensing and Disasters
25: Children, Youth and Disasters
24: Cascading Disasters: How Disasters Unfold
23: Making the World Safer from Disasters: The U.S. Role
22:Disaster Risk Management in an Age of Climate Change
21: Disaster Recovery
20: Creating and Using Multi-Hazards Knowledge and Strategies
19: Protecting Lives and Property at our Coastlines
18: Citizen Engagement in Emergency Planning for a Flu Pandemic
17: Rebuilding for Health, Sustainability, and Disaster Preparedness in the Gulf Coast Region
16: Community Disaster Resilience
15: Law, Science, and Disaster
14: The Indian Ocean Tsunami Disaster: Implications for U.S. and Global Disaster Reduction and
Preparedness
13: Lessons Learned Between Hurricanes: From Hugo to Charley, Frances, Ivan, and Jean
12: Creating a Disaster Resilient America: Grand Challenges in Science and Technology
11: Public Health Risks of Disasters: Building Capacity to Respond
10: Reducing Future Flood Losses: The Role of Human Actions
9: Hazards Watch: Reducing Disaster Losses Through Improved Earth Observations
8: The Emergency Manager of the Future
7: The National Earthquake Hazards Reduction Program at Twenty-Five Years: Accomplishments and
Challenges
6: Alerting America: Effective Risk Communication
5: From Climate to Weather: Impacts on Society and Economy
4: Countering Terrorism: Lessons Learned from Natural and Technological Disasters
3: Sea Level Rise and Coastal Disasters
2: Natural Disasters and Energy Policy
1: Urban/Wildland Fire Interface (January 2001)
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Key Hazards and Security Products of The National Academies—www.TRB.org/NASecurityProducts (November 27, 2012)
Terrorism and the Electric Power Delivery System (2012)
The U.S. power delivery system is remarkably complex. Its network of substations, transmission
lines, and distribution lines are not designed to withstand or quickly recover from damage
inflicted simultaneously on multiple components. In addition, investment to strengthen and
upgrade the grid has lagged, resulting in a high-voltage system with many heavily stressed
parts. Overall, the nation’s power grid is in need of expansion and upgrading. Since all parts of
the economy—as well as human health and welfare—depend on electricity, the results of a wellplanned and coordinated attack on the power delivery system could be particularly devastating.
This report1 examines technologies and strategies that could make the power delivery system less vulnerable to
attacks, restore power faster after an attack, and make critical services less vulnerable while the power is out. The
approaches explored in the report can greatly reduce the grid’s vulnerability to cascading failures, whether initiated
by terrorists, nature, or malfunctions.
Report | Report in Brief (PDF)
The National Academies > Earth & Life Studies > Disaster Management and Homeland
Security > Reports: Academies Findings
The division produces 60-70 reports per year. These reports are unique, authoritative expert evaluations. Each
report is produced by a committee of experts selected by the Academy to address a particular statement of task
and is subject to a rigorous, independent peer review. The experts who volunteer their time participating on study
committees are vetted to make sure that the committee has the range of expertise needed to address the task, that
they have a balance of perspectives, and to identify and eliminate members with conflicts of interest. All reports
undergo a rigorous, independent peer review to assure that the statement of task has been addressed, that
conclusions are adequately supported, and that all important issues raised by the reviewers are addressed. Thus,
while the reports represent views of the committee, they also are endorsed by the Academy.
Twenty-first Interim Report of the Committee on Acute Exposure Guideline
Levels: Parts A and B (2012)
AEGLs (acute exposure guideline levels) are guidelines developed by the U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency for exposure to hazardous chemicals. The guidelines are used by federal,
state, and local governments and by the private sector for prevention and emergency-response
planning for potential releases of chemicals, either from accidents or as a result of terrorist
activities. Part A includes an assessment of EPA’s draft AEGLs documents for the following
chemicals: acrylonitrile, allyl alcohol, epichlorohydrin, ethylene chlorohydrin,
ethylphosphorodichloridate, hexane, ketene, lewisite, mercaptans, methanesulfonyl chloride, methyl isothiocyanate,
monoisocyanates, nitric acid, 3-quinuclidinyl benzilate, tear gas, titanium tetrachloride, trimehtylacetyl chloride, and
vinyl acetate monomer. Part B covers aliphatic nitriles, benzonitrile, and methacrylonitrile.
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Key Hazards and Security Products of The National Academies—www.TRB.org/NASecurityProducts (November 27, 2012)
Disaster Resilience: A National Imperative (2012)
Although disasters will continue to occur, actions that move the nation toward greater resilience
will reduce many of the broad societal and economic burdens that disasters can cause.
Enhanced resilience -- the ability to prepare and plan for, absorb, recover from and more
successfully adapt to adverse events -- involves proactive investment in resilience-building
measures, including the development of a national "culture of resilience" to reduce the impacts
of disasters on the nation and its communities. This report addresses the broad issue of
increasing the nation's resilience to disasters by presenting a vision of the characteristics of a
resilient nation in the year 2030, as well as several approaches that individuals, communities,
organizations, the private sector, and governments can take to achieve that vision.
Dam and Levee Safety and Community Resilience: A Vision for Future
Practice (2012)
Although advances in engineering can reduce the risk of dam and levee failure, some failures
will still occur. Such events cause impacts on social and physical infrastructure that extend far
beyond the flood zone. Broadening dam and levee safety programs to consider community- and
regional-level priorities in decision making can help reduce the risk of, and increase community
resilience to, potential dam and levee failures. Collaboration between dam and levee safety
professionals at all levels, persons and property owners at direct risk, members of the wider
economy, and the social and environmental networks in a community would allow all stakeholders to understand
risks, shared needs, and opportunities, and make more informed decisions related to dam and levee infrastructure
and community resilience. Fundamental shifts in safety culture will be necessary to integrate the concepts of
resilience into dam and levee safety programs.
Evaluation of the Updated Site-Specific Risk Assessment for the National
Bio- and Agro-Defense Facility in Manhattan, Kansas (2012)
The updated site-specific risk assessment for the National Bio- and Agro-Defense Facility is a
substantial improvement over the original 2010 site-specific risk assessment, but is still
inadequate in fully characterizing the risks associated with operating a high biocontainment
facility in Manhattan, Kansas. Many of the shortcomings identified in a 2010 National Research
Council report have been addressed in this updated assessment and more conventional risk
analysis methods were used. However, many risk analysis methods were misinterpreted and
misapplied when executed, and questionable and inappropriate assumptions were used
throughout the updated site-specific risk assessment which led to artificially low estimates of the probabilities and
amounts of pathogen that might be released.
Acute Exposure Guideline Levels for Selected Airborne Chemicals: (2012)
At the request of the Department of Defense and the Environmental Protection Agency, the
National Research Council has reviewed the relevant scientific literature compiled by an expert
panel and established Acute Exposure Guideline Levels (AEGLs) for several chemicals. AEGLs
represent exposure levels below which adverse health effects are not likely to occur and are
useful in responding to emergencies, such as accidental or intentional chemical releases in
community, workplace, transportation, and military settings, and for the remediation of
contaminated sites. Three AEGLs are approved for each chemical, representing exposure
levels that result in: 1) notable but reversible discomfort; 2) long-lasting health effects; and 3)
life-threatening health impacts. This volume in the series includes AEGLs for butane, chloroacetealdehyde,
chlorobenzene, chloroform, methyl bromide, methyl chloride, and propane.
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Key Hazards and Security Products of The National Academies—www.TRB.org/NASecurityProducts (November 27, 2012)
Approaches for Ecosystem Services Valuation for the Gulf of Mexico
After the Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill: Interim Report (2011)
The unprecedented magnitude of the Deepwater Horizon oil spill presents significant
challenges for oil spill responders and those tasked with assessing the impacts of the spill.
Evaluating changes to ecosystem services—the benefits people receive from natural resources
and processes—caused by the oil spill could expand the potential to capture and value the full
breadth of impacts to the ecosystem and the public. This report assesses the methods and
metrics that could help scientists effectively evaluate ecosystem services.
Review of Risk Assessment Work Plan for the Medical Countermeasures
Test and Evaluation Facility at Fort Detrick: A Letter Report (2011)
The U.S. Army Medical Research and Materiel Command plans to construct and operate a new
Medical Countermeasures Test and Evaluation (MCMT&E) facility at Fort Detrick in Frederick,
Maryland. The facility is intended to handle infectious agents that require safety precautions to
the extent of animal biosafety level-3 and -4 and biosafety level-3 and -4. These biosafety levels
describe laboratory practices and techniques, safety equipment, and facilities needed to protect
against exposure to such agents. An Army contractor is currently developing a site-specific risk
assessment as part of the process to support construction of the facility. This letter report
evaluates the work plan for conducting that risk assessment.
Global Change and Extreme Hydrology: Testing Conventional Wisdom
(2011)
As climate change warms the atmosphere, Earth's hydrology is shifting—with the potential to
make floods and droughts more extreme. There is now a pressing need for decision-makers to
better understand the ongoing changes in hydrologic extremes in order to make preparations for
changing conditions. This report assesses changes in the frequency and severity of floods and
droughts, abilities of communities to understand and forecast these changes, and strategies for
better communicating the science to water resources practitioners.
National Earthquake Resilience: Research, Implementation, and Outreach
(2011)
The United States will be subject to damaging earthquakes in the future, and some
earthquakes will occur in highly populated and vulnerable areas with major effects on the nation
as a whole. Efforts to reduce such effects are needed to limit the loss of life, damage to
buildings, and economic cost of a major earthquake. This report presents a 20-year roadmap
for earthquake hazard and risk reduction, assessing the activities, and their costs, that would
be required for the nation to achieve earthquake resilience. The report identifies 18 specific
task elements required to improve national earthquake resilience, and estimates the annual
cost of implementing the roadmap to earthquake resilience at $306.5 million per year for the first five years.
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Key Hazards and Security Products of The National Academies—www.TRB.org/NASecurityProducts (November 27, 2012)
Review of the Scientific Approaches Used During the FBI's Investigation
of the Anthrax Letters (2011)
It is not possible to reach a definitive conclusion about the origins of the Bacillus anthracis in
the mailings based on the available scientific evidence alone, this National Research Council
report finds. Scientific analysis played a central role in the FBI’s investigation of the anthrax
mail attacks. To help investigators narrow their search for the source of the attack anthrax,
researchers used standard laboratory tests and developed new ones to characterize the
physical, chemical, and biological properties of the anthrax. This report reviews the scientific
approaches used during the investigation, and evaluates whether the FBI reached appropriate
scientific conclusions from the use of these techniques.
Evaluating Testing, Costs, and Benefits of Advanced Spectroscopic Portals:
Final Report (Abbreviated Version) (2011)
Committee on Advanced Spectroscopic Portals; National Research Council
This letter is the abbreviated version of an update of the interim report on testing, evaluation, costs,
and benefits of advanced spectroscopic portals (ASPs), issued by the National Academies'
Committee on Advanced Spectroscopic Portals in June 2009 (NRC 2009). This letter incorporates
findings of the committee since that report was written, and it sharpens and clarifies the messages of
the interim report based on subsequent committee investigations of more recent work by the Domestic Nuclear
Detection Office (DNDO). The key messages in this letter, which is the final report from the committee, are stated
briefly in the synopsis on the next page and described more fully in the sections that follow. The committee
provides the context for this letter, and then gives advice on: testing, evaluation, assessing costs and benefits, and
deployment of advanced spectroscopic portals. The letter closes with a reiteration of the key points.
The letter is abbreviated in that a small amount of information that may not be released publicly for security or lawenforcement reasons has been redacted from the version delivered to you in October 2010, but the findings and
recommendations remain intact.
Public Response to Alerts and Warnings on Mobile Devices: Summary of a
Workshop on Current Knowledge and Research Gaps (2011)
Committee on Public Response to Alerts and Warnings on Mobile Devices: Current Knowledge and
Research Gaps; National Research Council
This book presents a summary of the Workshop on Public Response to Alerts and Warnings on
Mobile Devices: Current Knowledge and Research Gaps, held April 13 and 14, 2010, in Washington,
D.C., under the auspices of the National Research Council's Committee on Public Response to Alerts
and Warnings on Mobile Devices: Current Knowledge and Research Needs.
The workshop was structured to gather inputs and insights from social science researchers, technologists,
emergency management professionals, and other experts knowledgeable about how the public responds to alerts
and warnings, focusing specifically on how the public responds to mobile alerting.
Evaluation of a Site-Specific Risk Assessment for the Department of
Homeland Security's Planned National Bio- and Agro-Defense Facility in
Manhattan, Kansas (2010)
A new report from the National Research Council finds that the Department of Homeland
Security's site-specific assessment of risks associated with locating the National Bio- and AgroDefense Facility in Manhattan, Kansas, is incomplete.
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Key Hazards and Security Products of The National Academies—www.TRB.org/NASecurityProducts (November 27, 2012)
The new biocontainment laboratory would serve as the linchpin in protecting U.S. agriculture from foreign animal
disease threats such as foot-and-mouth disease. However, concerns about the methods and analysis used to
select the facility's location prompted Congress to request that the Department of Homeland Security complete a
site-specific biosecurity and biosafety mitigation risk assessment before construction funds could be obligated.
This report evaluates the risk assessment's methods, the facility design plans, and disease outbreak mitigation
strategies. Although the risk assessment drew many legitimate conclusions, the committee found it did not
adequately identify the unique risks associated with locating the facility next to Kansas State University, nor did it
properly account for risks associated with work in the highest possible level of bio-containment.
Building Community Disaster Resilience through Private-Public
Collaboration (2010)
Collaboration between local private and public sector organizations is the key to building
resilient communities that can withstand disasters, a new National Research Council report
finds. Cooperation could help reduce the impact of a disaster by helping communities anticipate
threats, adapt to adversity, and recover after a crisis by engaging community stakeholders to
identify risk and leverage available resources. This report suggests a framework for resiliencefocused private-public sector collaboration, and provides guidelines for successful private-public
sector engagement. Challenges to successful collaboration are discussed, as are gaps in knowledge that could be
targeted for research investment.
Monitoring Climate Change Impacts: Metrics at the Intersection of the
Human and Earth Systems (2010)
This report from the National Research Council identifies seventy-one metrics that when taken
together may give advance warning of climate-related changes and their impacts across a
range of both local and global scales.
Currently, many observing systems capture elements of how climate is changing, such as
direct measurements of atmospheric and ocean temperature. However, these measurements
do not provide information about the impacts of climate change on humans that are especially relevant for political
and economic planning and decision making. The report lays out an illustrative suite of indicators, metrics, and
measurements -- and the locations around the globe where the measurements can be applied -- that are important
for understanding global climate change and providing insight into environmental sustainability. For instance,
several of the metrics are sea level rise, seasonal snow cover, and air quality.
BioWatch and Public Health Surveillance: Evaluating Systems for the
Early Detection of Biological Threats: Abbreviated Version (2010)
Following the attacks of September 11, 2001 and the anthrax letters, the ability to detect
biological threats as quickly as possible became a top priority. In 2003 the Department of
Homeland Security (DHS) introduced the BioWatch program--a federal monitoring system
intended to speed detection of specific biological agents that could be released in aerosolized
form during a biological attack.
The present volume evaluates the costs and merits of both the current BioWatch program and
the plans for a new generation of BioWatch devices. BioWatch and Public Health Surveillance
also examines infectious disease surveillance through hospitals and public health agencies in the United States,
and considers whether BioWatch and traditional infectious disease surveillance are redundant or complementary.
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Key Hazards and Security Products of The National Academies—www.TRB.org/NASecurityProducts (November 27, 2012)
Tsunami Warning and Preparedness: An Assessment of the U.S. Tsunami
Program and the Nation's Preparedness Efforts (2010)
The nation's ability to detect and forecast tsunamis has improved since the 2004 Indian Ocean
tsunami, but current efforts are still not sufficient to meet challenges posed by tsunamis
generated near land, which leave little time for warning. This National Research Council report
reviews progress made to strengthen the nation's tsunami warning and preparation systems,
and identifies ways to further improve tsunami preparation efforts. Minimizing future losses of
lives and property caused by tsunamis will require persistent progress across the broad
spectrum of efforts reviewed in this report: risk assessment, public education, government
coordination, detection and forecasting, and warning-center operations.
A Guide to Emergency Response Planning at State Transportation Agencies
(2010)
TRB’s National Cooperative Highway Research Program (NCHRP) Report 525, Vol. 16: A Guide to
Emergency Response Planning at State Transportation Agencies is designed to help executive
management and emergency response planners at state transportation agencies as they and their
local and regional counterparts assess their respective emergency response plans and identify
areas needing improvement.
NCHRP replaces a 2002 document, A Guide to Updating Highway Emergency Response Plans for Terrorist
Incidents.
NCHRP Report 525, Vol. 16 is supported by the following online appendixes:
Appendix K--Annotated Bibliography
Appendix L--White Paper on Emergency Response Functions and Spreadsheet Tool for Emergency Response
Functions
Appendix M--2010 Guide Presentation
Review of the Department of Homeland Security's Approach to Risk Analysis
(2010)
Committee to Review the Department of Homeland Security's Approach to Risk Analysis; National
Research Council
The events of September 11, 2001 changed perceptions, rearranged national priorities, and produced
significant new government entities, including the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS)
created in 2003. While the principal mission of DHS is to lead efforts to secure the nation against
those forces that wish to do harm, the department also has responsibilities in regard to preparation for and
response to other hazards and disasters, such as floods, earthquakes, and other "natural" disasters. Whether in the
context of preparedness, response or recovery from terrorism, illegal entry to the country, or natural disasters, DHS
is committed to processes and methods that feature risk assessment as a critical component for making betterinformed decisions.
Review of the Department of Homeland Security's Approach to Risk Analysis explores how DHS is building its
capabilities in risk analysis to inform decision making. The department uses risk analysis to inform decisions
ranging from high-level policy choices to fine-scale protocols that guide the minute-by-minute actions of DHS
employees. Although DHS is responsible for mitigating a range of threats, natural disasters, and pandemics, its risk
analysis efforts are weighted heavily toward terrorism. In addition to assessing the capability of DHS risk analysis
methods to support decision-making, the book evaluates the quality of the current approach to estimating risk and
discusses how to improve current risk analysis procedures.
Review of the Department of Homeland Security's Approach to Risk Analysis recommends that DHS continue to
build its integrated risk management framework. It also suggests that the department improve the way models are
developed and used and follow time-tested scientific practices, among other recommendations.
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Key Hazards and Security Products of The National Academies—www.TRB.org/NASecurityProducts (November 27, 2012)
Research on the Transmission of Disease in Airports and on Aircraft (2010)
TRB Conference Proceedings 47: Research on the Transmission of Disease in Airports and on
Aircraft is the summary of a September 2009 symposium. The symposium examined the status
of research on or related to the transmission of disease on aircraft and in airports, and the
potential application of research results to the development of protocols and standards for
managing communicable disease incidents in an aviation setting. The symposium also explored
areas where additional research may be needed.
National Security Implications of Climate Change for U.S. Naval Forces: Letter
Report (2010)
Committee on National Security Implications of Climate Change for U.S. Naval Forces
The leaders of the U.S. Navy, Coast Guard, and Marine Corps have recognized the potential impact
of climate change on naval forces' missions and have positioned their organizations to make adaptive
changes. This report is the first component of a study to assess the implications of climate change for
the U.S. Naval Services. Specifically, this report highlights issues that could have potential near-term
impacts, impose a need for near-term awareness, or require near-term planning to ensure that longer-term naval
capabilities are protected. The final report of this study will address all of the elements in the study's terms of
reference and explore many potential implications of climate change not covered in this letter report.
Field Evaluation in the Intelligence and Counterintelligence Context:
Workshop Summary (2010)
Robert Pool, Rapporteur; Planning Committee on Field Evaluation of Behavioral and Cognitive
Sciences-Based Methods and Tools for Intelligence and Counterintelligence; National Research
Council
On September 22-23, 2009, the National Research Council held a workshop on the field evaluation of
behavioral and cognitive sciences--based methods and tools for use in the areas of intelligence and
counterintelligence. Broadly speaking, the purpose of the workshop was to discuss the best ways to take methods
and tools from behavioral science and apply them to work in intelligence operations. More specifically, the
workshop focused on the issue of field evaluation--the testing of these methods and tools in the context in which
they will be used in order to determine if they are effective in real-world settings.
This book is a summary and synthesis of the two days of presentations and discussions that took place during the
workshop. The workshop participants included invited speakers and experts from a number of areas related to the
behavioral sciences and the intelligence community. The discussions covered such ground as the obstacles to field
evaluation of behavioral science tools and methods, the importance of field evaluation, and various lessons learned
from experience with field evaluation in other areas.
Nuclear Forensics: A Capability at Risk (Abbreviated Version) (2010)
Committee on Nuclear Forensics; National Research Council
Nuclear forensics is important to our national security. Actions, including provision of appropriate
funding, are needed now to sustain and improve the nation's nuclear forensics capabilities. The
Department of Homeland Security (DHS), working with cooperating agencies and national
laboratories, should plan and implement a sustainable, effective nuclear forensics program.
Nuclear forensics is the examination and evaluation of discovered or seized nuclear materials and devices or, in
cases of nuclear explosions or radiological dispersals, of detonation signals and post-detonation debris. Nuclear
forensic evidence helps law enforcement and intelligence agencies work toward preventing, mitigating, and
attributing a nuclear or radiological incident. This report, requested by DHS, the National Nuclear Security
Administration, and the Department of Defense, makes recommendations on how to sustain and improve U.S.
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Key Hazards and Security Products of The National Academies—www.TRB.org/NASecurityProducts (November 27, 2012)
nuclear forensics capabilities.
The United States has developed a nuclear forensics capability that has been demonstrated in real-world incidents
of interdicted materials and in exercises of actions required after a nuclear detonation. The committee, however,
has concerns about the program and finds that without strong leadership, careful planning, and additional funds,
these capabilities will decline.
The Public Health Emergency Medical Countermeasures Enterprise:
Innovative Strategies to Enhance Products from Discovery Through Approval:
Workshop Summary (2010)
Theresa Wizemann, Clare Stroud, and Bruce M. Altevogt, Rapporteurs; Forum on Medical and Public
Health Preparedness for Catastrophic Events; Forum on Drug Discovery, Development, and
Translation; Institute of Medicine
During public health emergencies such as pandemic influenza outbreaks or terrorist attacks, effective
vaccines, drugs, diagnostics, and other medical countermeasures are essential to protecting national security and
the public's well-being. The Public Health Emergency Medical Countermeasures Enterprise (PHEMCE)--a
partnership among federal, state, and local governments; industry; and academia--is at the forefront of the effort to
develop and manufacture these countermeasures. However, despite the PHEMCE's many successes, there are
still serious challenges to overcome. Government-funded medical research is not always focused on
countermeasures for the most serious potential threats, and it is difficult to engage pharmaceutical and
biotechnology companies to develop and manufacture medical countermeasures that have a limited commercial
market.
At the request of the Secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and the Assistant Secretary
for Preparedness and Response, the IOM held a workshop February 22-24, 2010, to address challenges facing the
PHEMCE. Workshop participants discussed federal policies and procedures affecting the research, development,
and approval of medical countermeasures and explored opportunities to improve the process and protect
Americans' safety and health.
Medical Surge Capacity: Workshop Summary (2010)
Bruce M. Altevogt, Clare Stroud, Lori Nadig, Matthew Hougan, Rapporteurs; Forum on Medical and
Public Health Preparedness for Catastrophic Events; Institute of Medicine
During natural disasters, disease pandemics, terrorist attacks, and other public health emergencies,
the health system must be prepared to accommodate a surge in the number of individuals seeking
medical help. For the health community, a primary concern is how to provide care to individuals
during such high demand, when the health system's resources are exhausted and there are more
patients than the system can accommodate.
The IOM's Forum on Medical and Public Health Preparedness for Catastrophic Events held a workshop June 1011, 2009, to assess the capability of and tools available to federal, state, and local governments to respond to a
medical surge. In addition, participants discussed strategies for the public and private sectors to improve
preparedness for such a surge. The workshop brought together leaders in the medical and public health
preparedness fields, including policy makers from federal agencies and state and local public health departments;
providers from the health care community; and health care and hospital administrators. This document summarizes
the workshop.
Blast-Resistant Highway Bridges: Design and Detailing Guidelines (2010)
TRB’s National Cooperative Highway Research Program (NCHRP) Report 645, Blast-Resistant
Highway Bridges: Design and Detailing Guidelines explores code-ready language containing general
design guidance and a simplified design procedure for blast-resistant reinforced concrete bridge
columns. The report also examines the results of experimental blast tests and analytical research on
reinforced concrete bridge columns designed to investigate the effectiveness of a variety of different
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Key Hazards and Security Products of The National Academies—www.TRB.org/NASecurityProducts (November 27, 2012)
design techniques.
The Domestic and International Impacts of the 2009-H1N1 Influenza A
Pandemic: Global Challenges, Global Solutions: Workshop Summary (2010)
David A. Relman, Eileen R. Choffnes, and Alison Mack, Rapporteurs; Forum on Microbial Threats;
Institute of Medicine
The Domestic and International Impacts of the 2009-H1N1 Influenza A Pandemic: Global Challenges,
Global Solutions aimed to examine the evolutionary origins of the H1N1 virus and evaluate its
potential public health and socioeconomic consequences, while monitoring and mitigating the impact
of a fast-moving pandemic. The rapporteurs for this workshop reported on the need for increased and
geographically robust global influenza vaccine production capacities; enhanced and sustained interpandemic
demand for seasonal influenza vaccines; clear "triggers" for pandemic alert levels; and accelerated research
collaboration on new vaccine manufacturing techniques. This book will be an essential guide for healthcare
professionals, policymakers, drug manufacturers and investigators.
Private-Public Sector Collaboration to Enhance Community Disaster Resilience
(2010)
Committee on Private-Public Sector Collaboration to Enhance Community Disaster Resilience;
Geographical Science Committee; National Research Council
The terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001 (9/11) on the United States prompted a rethinking of how
the United States prepares for disasters. Federal policy documents written since 9/11 have stressed
that the private and public sectors share equal responsibility for the security of the nation's critical
infrastructure and key assets. Private sector entities have a role in the safety, security, and resilience of the
communities in which they operate. Incentivizing the private sector to expend resources on community efforts
remains challenging. Disasters in the United States since 9/11 (e.g., Hurricane Katrina in 2005) indicate that the
nation has not yet been successful in making its communities resilient to disaster.
In this book, the National Research Council assesses the current states of the art and practice in private-public
sector collaboration dedicated to strengthening community disaster resilience.
Security 101: A Physical Security Primer for Transportation Agencies (2009)
TRB’s National Cooperative Highway Research Program (NCHRP) Report 525, Vol. 14, Security 101:
A Physical Security Primer for Transportation Agencies is designed to provide transportation
managers and employees with an introductory-level reference document to enhance their working
knowledge of security concepts, guidelines, definitions, and standards.
Helping Airport and Air Carrier Employees Cope with Traumatic Events (2009)
TRB’s Airport Cooperative Research Program (ACRP) Report 22: Helping Airport and Air Carrier
Employees Cope with Traumatic Events provides insight and practical guidance to address the
difficult emotional and psychological implications in response and exposure to traumatic events.
These traumatic events can be the result of human-made accidents, acts of terrorism, or natural
disasters that have occurred at, in the vicinity of, or resulting from the operation of an air carrier at an
airport.
A Guide to Planning Resources on Transportation and Hazards (2009)
TRB's National Cooperative Highway Research Program (NCHRP) and Transit Cooperative
Research Program (TCRP) have jointly released A Guide to Planning Resources on Transportation
and Hazards. The report was published as NCHRP Research Results Digest (RRD) 333 and as
TCRP RRD 90. The report highlights a framework for thinking about the stages of a disaster, and
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identifies some of the most current and innovative hazard-related research.
BioWatch and Public Health Surveillance: Evaluating Systems for the Early
Detection of Biological Threats: Abbreviated Version: Summary (2009)
Committee on Effectiveness of National Biosurveillance Systems: BioWatch and the Public Health
System, National Research Council
Following the attacks of September 11, 2001 and the anthrax letters, the ability to detect biological
threats as quickly as possible became a top priority. In 2003 the Department of Homeland Security
(DHS) introduced the BioWatch program--a federal monitoring system intended to speed detection of
specific biological agents that could be released in aerosolized form during a biological attack.
The present volume evaluates the costs and merits of both the current BioWatch program and the plans for a new
generation of BioWatch devices. BioWatch and Public Health Surveillance also examines infectious disease
surveillance through hospitals and public health agencies in the United States, and considers whether BioWatch
and traditional infectious disease surveillance are redundant or complementary.
Evaluating Testing, Costs, and Benefits of Advanced Spectroscopic Portals for
Screening Cargo at Ports of Entry: Interim Report (Abbreviated Version) (2009)
Committee on Advanced Spectroscopic Portals; National Research Council
To improve screening of containerized cargo for nuclear and radiological material that might be
entering the United States, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is seeking to deploy new
radiation detectors, called advanced spectroscopic portals (ASPs). The ASPs are intended to replace
some or all of the current system of radiation portal monitors (called PVT RPMs) used in conjunction
with handheld radioisotope identifiers (RIIDs) to detect and identify radioactive material in cargo. The U.S.
Congress required the Secretary of Homeland Security to certify that ASPs will provide a 'significant increase in
operational effectiveness' over continued use of the existing screening devices before DHS can proceed with fullscale procurement of ASPs for deployment. Congress also directed DHS to request this National Research Council
study to advise the Secretary of Homeland Security about testing, analysis, costs, and benefits of the ASPs prior to
the certification decision.
This interim report is based on testing done before 2008; on plans for, observations of, and preliminary results from
tests done in 2008; and on the agency's draft cost-benefit analysis as of October 2008. The book provides advice
on how DHS' Domestic Nuclear Detection Office (DNDO) can complete and make more rigorous its ASP evaluation
for the Secretary and the nation.
Technology, Policy, Law, and Ethics Regarding U.S. Acquisition and Use of
Cyberattack Capabilities (2009)
William A. Owens, Kenneth W. Dam, and Herbert S. Lin, editors, Committee on Offensive Information
Warfare, National Research Council
The United States is increasingly dependent on information and information technology for both
civilian and military purposes, as are many other nations. Although there is a substantial literature on
the potential impact of a cyberattack on the societal infrastructure of the United States, little has been
written about the use of cyberattack as an instrument of U.S. policy.
Cyberattacks--actions intended to damage adversary computer systems or networks--can be used for a variety of
military purposes. But they also have application to certain missions of the intelligence community, such as covert
action. They may be useful for certain domestic law enforcement purposes, and some analysts believe that they
might be useful for certain private sector entities who are themselves under cyberattack. This report considers all of
these applications from an integrated perspective that ties together technology, policy, legal, and ethical issues.
Focusing on the use of cyberattack as an instrument of U.S. national policy, Technology, Policy, Law and Ethics
Regarding U.S. Acquisition and Use of Cyberattack Capabilities explores important characteristics of cyberattack. It
describes the current international and domestic legal structure as it might apply to cyberattack, and considers
analogies to other domains of conflict to develop relevant insights. Of special interest to the military, intelligence,
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law enforcement, and homeland security communities, this report is also an essential point of departure for
nongovernmental researchers interested in this rarely discussed topic.
A Survey of Attitudes and Actions on Dual Use Research in the Life Sciences:
A Collaborative Effort of the National Research Council and the American
Association for the Advancement of Science (2009)
Committee on Assessing Fundamental Attitudes of Life Scientists as a Basis for Biosecurity
Education, National Research Council
The same technologies that fuel scientific advances also pose potential risks--that the knowledge,
tools, and techniques gained through legitimate biotechnology research could be misused to create
biological weapons or for bioterrorism. This is often called the dual use dilemma of the life sciences. Yet even
research with the greatest potential for misuse may offer significant benefits. Determining how to constrain the
danger without harming essential scientific research is critical for national security as well as prosperity and wellbeing.
This book discusses a 2007 survey of American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) members in
the life sciences about their knowledge of dual use issues and attitudes about their responsibilities to help mitigate
the risks of misuse of their research.
Overall, the results suggest that there may be considerable support for approaches to oversight that rely on
measures that are developed and implemented by the scientific community itself. The responses also suggest that
there is a need to clarify the scope of research activities of concern and to provide guidance about what actions
scientists can take to reduce the risk that their research will be misused by those with malicious intent.
Applications of Social Network Analysis for Building Community Disaster
Resilience: Workshop Summary (2009)
Sammantha L. Magsino, Rapporteur; National Research Council
Social Network Analysis (SNA) is the identification of the relationships and attributes of members, key
actors, and groups that social networks comprise. The National Research Council, at the request of
the Department of Homeland Security, held a two-day workshop on the use of SNA for the purpose of
building community disaster resilience. The workshop, summarized in this volume, was designed to
provide guidance to the DHS on a potential research agenda that would increase the effectiveness of SNA for
improving community disaster resilience.
The workshop explored the state of the art in SNA and its applications in the identification, construction, and
strengthening of networks within U.S. communities. Workshop participants discussed current work in SNA focused
on characterizing networks; the theories, principles and research applicable to the design or strengthening of
networks; the gaps in knowledge that prevent the application of SNA to the construction of networks; and research
areas that could fill those gaps. Elements of a research agenda to support the design, development, and
implementation of social networks for the specific purpose of strengthening community resilience against natural
and human-made disasters were discussed.
Assessing Medical Preparedness to Respond to a Terrorist Nuclear Event:
Workshop Report (2009)
Georges C. Benjamin, Michael McGeary, and Susan R. McCutchen, Editors; Committee on Medical
Preparedness for a Terrorist Nuclear Event; Institute of Medicine
A nuclear attack on a large U.S. city by terrorists--even with a low-yield improvised nuclear device
(IND) of 10 kilotons or less--would cause a large number of deaths and severe injuries. The large
number of injured from the detonation and radioactive fallout that would follow would be
overwhelming for local emergency response and health care systems to rescue and treat, even assuming that
these systems and their personnel were not themselves incapacitated by the event.
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The United States has been struggling for some time to address and plan for the threat of nuclear terrorism and
other weapons of mass destruction that terrorists might obtain and use. The Department of Homeland Security
recently contracted with the Institute of Medicine to hold a workshop, summarized in this volume, to assess medical
preparedness for a nuclear detonation of up to 10 kilotons.
This book provides a candid and sobering look at our current state of preparedness for an IND, and identifies
several key areas in which we might begin to focus our national efforts in a way that will improve the overall level of
preparedness.
Avoiding Technology Surprise for Tomorrow's Warfighter: A Symposium
Report (2009)
Committee for the Symposium on Avoiding Technology Surprise for Tomorrow's Warfighter; National
Research Council
On April 29, 2009 the National Research Council held a 1-day symposium titled, "Avoiding
Technology Surprise for Tomorrow's Warfighter." This volume, a report of the symposium, highlights
key challenges confronting the scientific and technical intelligence (S&TI) community and explores
potential solutions that might enable the S&TI community to overcome those challenges.
The symposium captured comments and observations from representatives from combatant commands and
supporting governmental organizations, together with those of symposium participants, in order to elucidate
concepts and trends, knowledge of which could be used to improve the Department of Defense's technology
warning capability. Topics addressed included issues stemming from globalization of science and technology,
challenges to U.S. warfighters that could result from technology surprise, examples of past technological surprise,
and the strengths and weaknesses of current S&TI analysis.
Beyond 'Fortress America': National Security Controls on Science and
Technology in a Globalized World (2009)
Committee on Science, Security, and Prosperity; Committee on Scientific Communication and
National Security; National Research Council
The national security controls that regulate access to and export of science and technology are
broken. As currently structured, many of these controls undermine our national and homeland
security and stifle American engagement in the global economy, and in science and technology.
These unintended consequences arise from policies that were crafted for an earlier era. In the name of maintaining
superiority, the U.S. now runs the risk of becoming less secure, less competitive and less prosperous.
Beyond "Fortress America" provides an account of the costs associated with building walls that hamper our access
to global science and technology that dampen our economic potential. The book also makes recommendations to
reform the export control process, ensure scientific and technological competitiveness, and improve the nonimmigrant visa system that regulates entry into the United States of foreign science and engineering students,
scholars, and professionals.
Beyond "Fortress America" contains vital information and action items for the President and policy makers that will
affect the United States' ability to compete globally. Interested parties--including military personnel, engineers,
scientists, professionals, industrialists, and scholars--will find this book a valuable tool for stemming a serious
decline affecting broad areas of the nation's security and economy.
Countering Biological Threats: Challenges for the Department of Defense's
Nonproliferation Program Beyond the Former Soviet Union (2009)
Committee on Prevention of Proliferation of Biological Weapons in States Beyond the Former Soviet
Union; Office for Central Europe and Asia; National Research Council
In response to a request from the U.S. Congress, this book examines how the unique experience and
extensive capabilities of the Department of Defense (DOD) can be extended to reduce the threat of
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bioterrorism within developing countries outside the former Soviet Union (FSU). During the past 12 years, DOD has
invested $800 million in reducing the risk from bioterrorism with roots in the states of the FSU. The program's
accomplishments are many fold. The risk of bioterrorism in other countries is too great for DOD not to be among
the leaders in addressing threats beyond the FSU.
Taking into account possible sensitivities about a U.S. military presence, DOD should engage interested
governments in about ten developing countries outside the FSU in biological threat reduction programs during the
next five years. Whenever possible, DOD should partner with other organizations that have well established
humanitarian reputations in the countries of interest. For example, the U.S. Agency for International Development,
the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and the World Health Organization should be considered as
potential partners.
Countering Terrorism: Biological Agents, Transportation Networks, and
Energy Systems. Summary of a U.S.-Russian Workshop (2009)
Glenn E. Schweitzer, Rapporteur; Committee on Counterterrorism Challenges for Russia and the
United States; Office for Central Europe and Eurasia; National Academy of Sciences; In cooperation
with the Russian Academy of Sciences
This book presents the proceedings of the fourth U.S.-Russian interacademy workshop on the
general theme of countering terrorism, which was held in Moscow in March 2007. The fourth in a
series, this volume continues to explore topics related to urban terrorism, but with a new emphasis on potential
attacks involving biological agents, transportation networks, and energy systems.
Evaluating Testing, Costs, and Benefits of Advanced Spectroscopic Portals
for Screening Cargo at Ports of Entry: Interim Report (Abbreviated Version)
(2009)
Committee on Advanced Spectroscopic Portals; National Research Council
To improve screening of containerized cargo for nuclear and radiological material that might be
entering the United States, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is seeking to deploy new
radiation detectors, called advanced spectroscopic portals (ASPs). The ASPs are intended to replace
some or all of the current system of radiation portal monitors (called PVT RPMs) used in conjunction with handheld
radioisotope identifiers (RIIDs) to detect and identify radioactive material in cargo. The U.S. Congress required the
Secretary of Homeland Security to certify that ASPs will provide a 'significant increase in operational effectiveness'
over continued use of the existing screening devices before DHS can proceed with full-scale procurement of ASPs
for deployment. Congress also directed DHS to request this National Research Council study to advise the
Secretary of Homeland Security about testing, analysis, costs, and benefits of the ASPs prior to the certification
decision.
This interim report is based on testing done before 2008; on plans for, observations of, and preliminary results from
tests done in 2008; and on the agency's draft cost-benefit analysis as of October 2008. The book provides advice
on how DHS' Domestic Nuclear Detection Office (DNDO) can complete and make more rigorous its ASP evaluation
for the Secretary and the nation.
Future of the Nuclear Security Environment in 2015: Proceedings of a
Russian-U.S. Workshop (2009)
Ashot A. Sarkisov and Rose Gottemoeller, Editors; Joint Committees on the Future of the Nuclear
Security Environment in 2015; in cooperation with the Russian Academy of Sciences; National
Research Council
The U.S. National Academies (NAS) and the Russian Academy of Sciences (RAS), building on a
foundation of years of interacademy cooperation, conducted a joint project to identify U.S. and
Russian views on what the international nuclear security environment will be in 2015, what challenges may arise
from that environment, and what options the U.S. and Russia have in partnering to address those challenges.
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The project's discussions were developed and expanded upon during a two-day public workshop held at the
International Atomic Energy Agency in November 2007. A key aspect of that partnership may be cooperation in
third countries where both the U.S. and Russia can draw on their experiences over the last decade of nonproliferation cooperation. More broadly, the following issues analyzed over the course of this RAS-NAS project
included: safety and security culture, materials protection, control and accounting (MPC&A) best practices,
sustainability, nuclear forensics, public-private partnerships, and the expansion of nuclear energy.
Improvised Explosive Devices (IED) Attack (2009)
A fact sheet from the National Academies and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security offers
clear, objective information on improvised explosive devices (IED) attacks and their impact and
dangers. Created for journalists participating in the Academies' workshops on "News and Terrorism:
Communicating in a Crisis," the fact sheet may be helpful to transportation agencies’ employees
who could be among the first to respond to such an attack. This fact sheet is part of a series on
weapons of mass destruction.
Transportation's Role in Emergency Evacuation and Reentry (2009)
TRB’s National Cooperative Highway Research Program (NCHRP) Synthesis 392: Transportation’s
Role in Emergency Evacuation and Reentry explores information on transportation’s role in
emergency evacuation and reentry by summarizing aspects of its planning, control, and research as
well as highlighting effective and innovative practices.
Transit Security Update (2009)
TRB’s Transit Cooperative Research Program (TCRP) Synthesis 80: Transit Security
Update explores transit-related counterterrorism and anti-crime security measures and
practices; examines crime and security incident trends; and highlights other related topics,
including major issues and obstacles to security and policing management.
U.S. Marine Salvage Assets and Capabilities in a Maritime Disaster (2009)
TRB Conference Proceedings 45: U.S. Marine Salvage Assets and Capabilities in a Maritime
Disaster is the proceedings of a September 2008 workshop that focused on a scenario involving an
incident that shuts down the Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach. The proceedings examine the
threat and explore key issues relating to an efficient, effective, and coordinated U.S. salvage industry
response to a worst-case marine casualty scenario.
An Airport Guide for Regional Emergency Planning for CBRNE Events (2009)
TRB’s Airport Cooperative Research Program (ACRP) Report 12: An Airport Guide for Regional
Emergency Planning for CBRNE Events explores details airports should cover in their hazard and
threat assessments and in their Airport Emergency Plans (AEPs) and Annexes. The report also
examines issues involving terrorist use of chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear, or explosive
(CBRNE) materials targeted to airports.
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Global Security Engagement: A New Model for Cooperative Threat Reduction
(2009)
Committee on Strengthening and Expanding the Department of Defense Cooperative Threat Program
The government's first Cooperative Threat Reduction (CTR) programs were created in 1991 to
eliminate the former Soviet Union's nuclear, chemical, and other weapons and prevent their
proliferation. The programs have accomplished a great deal: deactivating thousands of nuclear
warheads, neutralizing chemical weapons, converting weapons facilities for peaceful use, and
redirecting the work of former weapons scientists and engineers, among other efforts. Originally designed to deal
with immediate post-Cold War challenges, the programs must be expanded to other regions and fundamentally
redesigned as an active tool of foreign policy that can address contemporary threats from groups that are that are
agile, networked, and adaptable. As requested by Congress, Global Security Engagement proposes how this goal
can best be achieved.
To meet the magnitude of new security challenges, particularly at the nexus of weapons of mass destruction and
terrorism, Global Security Engagement recommends a new, more flexible, and responsive model that will draw on a
broader range of partners than current programs have. The White House, working across the Executive Branch and
with Congress, must lead this effort.
Costing Asset Protection: An All-Hazards Guide for Transportation Agencies
(CAPTA) (2009)
TRB’s National Cooperative Highway Research Program (NCHRP) Report 525, Vol. 15: Costing
Asset Protection: An All-Hazards Guide for Transportation Agencies (CAPTA) is designed as a
planning tool for top-down estimation of both capital and operating budget implications of
measures intended to reduce risks to locally acceptable levels. CAPTA supports mainstreaming
an integrated, high-level, all-hazards, national incident management system-responsive,
multimodal, consequence-driven risk management process into transportation agency programs
and activities. The guide is supplemented online with a downloadable Microsoft® PowerPoint slide show and
CAPTool, a spreadsheet tool for implementing the CAPTA methodology. A help file is also available online.
Science and Decisions: Advancing Risk Assessment (2009)
Committee on Improving Risk Analysis Approaches Used by the U.S. EPA, National Research Council
Risk assessment has become a dominant public policy tool for making choices, based on limited
resources, to protect public health and the environment. It has been instrumental to the mission
of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) as well as other federal agencies in
evaluating public health concerns, informing regulatory and technological decisions, prioritizing
research needs and funding, and in developing approaches for cost-benefit analysis.
However, risk assessment is at a crossroads. Despite advances in the field, risk assessment
faces a number of significant challenges including lengthy delays in making complex decisions;
lack of data leading to significant uncertainty in risk assessments; and many chemicals in the marketplace that
have not been evaluated and emerging agents requiring assessment.
Science and Decisions makes practical scientific and technical recommendations to address these challenges. This
book is a complement to the widely used 1983 National Academies book, Risk Assessment in he Federal
Government (also known as the Red Book). The earlier book established a framework for the concepts and
conduct of risk assessment that has been adopted by numerous expert committees, regulatory agencies, and
public health institutions. The new book embeds these concepts within a broader framework for risk-based
decision-making. Together, these are essential references for those working in the regulatory and public health
fields.
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The 2nd International Forum on Biosecurity: Summary of an International
Meeting, Budapest, Hungary, March 30 to April 2, 2008 (2008)
Committee on International Outreach Activities on Biosecurity; Development, Security, and Cooperation,
National Research Council
The 2nd International Forum on Biosecurity, held in Budapest, Hungary on March 30 - April 2,
2008, represents the efforts of a number of individuals and organizations, over the last five years,
to engage the international community of life scientists in addressing how to reduce the risk that
the results of their work could be used for hostile purposes by terrorists and states.
The participants who gathered in Budapest were already engaged in this challenging task, and, therefore, the focus
of the meeting was on what had been accomplished and what challenges remained. There was no attempt to
achieve consensus, since there exist real and important differences among those involved concerning the
appropriate policies and actions to be undertaken. But there was a serious effort to identify a range of potential next
steps, and also an effort to identify opportunities where international scientific organizations could make substantive
contributions and offer their advice and expertise to policy discussions. The Forum's presentations, discussions,
and results are summarized in this book.
Information and Communication Technology and Peacebuilding: Summary
of a Workshop (2008)
Carol Arenberg and Greg Pearson, Editors
Those who would use information and communication technology (ICT) in the cause of peace need
to be cognizant of the risks as well as the benefits. ICT can facilitate positive dialogue but also hate
speech. It can be used to fight corruption but also facilitate it. Simply giving people more
information does not necessarily lead to predictable or positive results. As people become more
informed, they may become more motivated to change their circumstances and to do so violently.
On December 14, 2007, the National Academy of Engineering (NAE) convened a group of experts in diverse fields
to consider the role of ICT in promoting peace and conflict resolution. The one-day workshop was designed to
consider current and emerging technologies and strategies for employing them in conflict management and
diplomacy. It also aimed to explore how organizations with a role in promoting peace, like the U.S. Institute of
Peace, can most effectively leverage technology in carrying out their missions.
Information and Communication Technology and Peacebuilding: Summary of a Workshop reviews the group's
discussions on number of key issues, illuminates certain practitioner needs, and suggests possible next steps.
Maritime Security Partnerships (2008)
Committee on the "1,000-Ship Navy" - A Distributed and Global Maritime Network, National Research Council
To offer security in the maritime domain, governments around the world need the capabilities to
directly confront common threats like piracy, drug-trafficking, and illegal immigration. No single
navy or nation can do this alone.
Recognizing this new international security landscape, the former Chief of Naval Operations called
for a collaborative international approach to maritime security, initially branded the "1,000-ship
Navy." This concept envisions U.S. naval forces partnering with multinational, federal, state, local
and private sector entities to ensure freedom of navigation, the flow of commerce, and the protection of ocean
resources.
This new book from the National Research Council examines the technical and operational implications of the
"1,000-ship Navy," as they apply to four levels of cooperative efforts:
 U.S. Navy, Coast Guard, and merchant shipping only;
 U.S. naval and maritime assets with others in treaty alliances or analogous arrangements;
 U.S. naval and maritime assets with ad hoc coalitions; and
 U.S. naval and maritime assets with others than above who may now be friendly but could potentially be
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hostile, for special purposes such as deterrence of piracy or other criminal activity.
Review of Directed Energy Technology for Countering Rockets, Artillery, and
Mortars (RAM): Abbreviated Version (2008)
Committee on Directed Energy Technology for Countering Indirect Weapons, National Research Council
The United States Army is looking for ways to defend against missile and mortar attacks. In this
book, the National Research Council assesses a plan to create a 100 kW mobile, solid-state, laser
weapon that could defend an area several kilometers in diameter.
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The NRC provides several recommendations:
A 100 kW Laser is of limited value, so the program's goal should be a 400 kW weapon.
The Army should proceed with the program in stages, focusing first on a rugged transportable platform
for the weapon using existing 25 kW laser technology, then directing resources toward 100kW and 400
kW weapons.
The Army should perform a detailed, quantitative study of the effectiveness of a high energy, solid-state
laser weapon against future threats.
The Army should continue to participate in U.S.-based and international research on high-energy lasers
and related equipment. The committee found substantial benefits for the Army's solid-state laser
program from other programs outside the Army.
The Army should conduct risk-assessments that investigate the effects that a high energy laser may
have on other airborne platforms in the vicinity of the target.
The Army should study eye safety for both the operators of the laser and for civilians. The results of
these studies should be integrated into the development of the weapon.
Disrupting Improvised Explosive Device Terror Campaigns: Basic Research
Opportunities: A Workshop Report (2008)
Committee on Defeating Improvised Explosive Devices: Basic Research to Interrupt the IED Delivery Chain,
National Research Council
Countering the threat of improvised explosive devices (IED)s is a challenging, multilayered problem.
The IED itself is just the most publicly visible part of an underlying campaign of violence, the IED
threat chain. Improving the technical ability to detect the device is a primary objective, but
understanding of the goals of the adversary; its sources of materiel, personnel, and money; the
sociopolitical environment in which it operates; and other factors, such as the cultural mores that it must observe or
override for support, may also be critical for impeding or halting the effective use of IEDs.
Disrupting Improvised Explosive Device Terror Campaigns focuses on the human dimension of terror campaigns
and also on improving the ability to predict these activities using collected and interpreted data from a variety of
sources.
A follow-up to the 2007 book, Countering the Threat of Improvised Explosive Devices: Basic Research
Opportunities, this book summarizes two workshops held in 2008.
Test and Evaluation of Biological Standoff Detection Systems: Abbreviated
Version (2008)
Committee on Test and Evaluation of Biological Standoff Detection Systems, National Research Council
A biological warfare agent (BWA) is a microorganism, or a toxin derived from a living organism, that
causes disease in humans, plants, or animals or that causes the deterioration of material. The
effectiveness of a BWA is greatly reduced if the attack is detected in time for the target population
to take appropriate defensive measures. Therefore, the ability to detect a BWA, in particular to
detect it before the target population is exposed, will be a valuable asset to defense against
biological attacks. The ideal detection system will have quick response and be able to detect a threat plume at a
distance from the target population. The development of reliable biological standoff detection systems, therefore, is
a key goal.
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However, testing biological standoff detection systems is difficult because open-air field tests with BWAs are not
permitted under international conventions and because the wide variety of environments in which detectors might
be used may affect their performance. This book explores the question of how to determine whether or not a
biological standoff detection system fulfills its mission reliably if we cannot conduct open-air field tests with live
BWAs.
Understanding Crime Trends: Workshop Report (2008)
Committee on Understanding Crime Trends
Changes over time in the levels and patterns of crime have significant consequences that affect not
only the criminal justice system but also other critical policy sectors. Yet compared with such areas
as health status, housing, and employment, the nation lacks timely information and comprehensive
research on crime trends. Descriptive information and explanatory research on crime trends
across the nation that are not only accurate, but also timely, are pressing needs in the nation's
crime-control efforts.
In April 2007, the National Research Council held a two-day workshop to address key substantive and
methodological issues underlying the study of crime trends and to lay the groundwork for a proposed multiyear
NRC panel study of these issues. Six papers were commissioned from leading researchers and discussed at the
workshop by experts in sociology, criminology, law, economics, and statistics. The authors revised their papers
based on the discussants' comments, and the papers were then reviewed again externally. The six final workshop
papers are the basis of this volume, which represents some of the most serious thinking and research on crime
trends currently available.
Protecting Individual Privacy in the Struggle Against Terrorists: A
Framework for Program Assessment (2008)
Committee on Technical and Privacy Dimensions of Information for Terrorism Prevention and Other National
Goals, National Research Council
All U.S. agencies with counterterrorism programs that collect or "mine" personal data -- such as
phone records or Web sites visited -- should be required to evaluate the programs' effectiveness,
lawfulness, and impacts on privacy. A framework is offered that agencies can use to evaluate such
information-based programs, both classified and unclassified. The book urges Congress to reexamine existing privacy law to assess how privacy can be protected in current and future
programs and recommends that any individuals harmed by violations of privacy be given a meaningful form of
redress.
Two specific technologies are examined: data mining and behavioral surveillance. Regarding data mining, the book
concludes that although these methods have been useful in the private sector for spotting consumer fraud, they are
less helpful for counterterrorism because so little is known about what patterns indicate terrorist activity. Regarding
behavioral surveillance in a counterterrorist context, the book concludes that although research and development
on certain aspects of this topic are warranted, there is no scientific consensus on whether these techniques are
ready for operational use at all in counterterrorism.
Department of Homeland Security Bioterrorism Risk Assessment: A Call
for Change (2008)
Committee on Methodological Improvements to the Department of Homeland Security's Biological Agent
Risk Analysis, National Research Council
The mission of Department of Homeland Security Bioterrorism Risk Assessment: A Call for
Change, the new book from the National Research Council, is to independently and
scientifically review the methodology that led to the 2006 Department of Homeland Security
report, Bioterrorism Risk Assessment (BTRA) and provide a foundation for future updates.
This book identifies a number of fundamental concerns with the BTRA of 2006, ranging from
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mathematical and statistical mistakes that have corrupted results, to unnecessarily complicated probability models
and models with fidelity far exceeding existing data, to more basic questions about how terrorist behavior should be
modeled.
Rather than merely criticizing what was done in the BTRA of 2006, this new NRC book consults outside experts
and collects a number of proposed alternatives that could improve DHS's ability to assess potential terrorist
behavior as a key element of risk-informed decision making, and it explains these alternatives in the specific
context of the BTRA and the bioterrorism threat.
Ballistic Imaging (2008)
Daniel L. Cork, John E. Rolph, Eugene S. Meieran, and Carol V. Petrie, Editors, Committee to Assess the
Feasibility, Accuracy and Technical Capability of a National Ballistics Database, National Research Council
Ballistic Imaging assesses the state of computer-based imaging technology in forensic firearms
identification. The book evaluates the current law enforcement database of images of crimerelated cartridge cases and bullets and recommends ways to improve the usefulness of the
technology for suggesting leads in criminal investigations. It also advises against the
construction of a national reference database that would include images from test-fires of every
newly manufactured or imported firearm in the United States. The book also suggests further
research on an alternate method for generating an investigative lead to the location where a gun
was first sold: "microstamping," the direct imprinting of unique identifiers on firearm parts or ammunition.
Assessment of the Bureau of Reclamation’s Security Program (2008)
Committee to Assess the Bureau of Reclamation’s Security Program, National Research Council
The water impounded behind a dam can be used to generate power and to provide water for
drinking, irrigation, commerce, industry, and recreation. However, if a dam fails, the water that
would be unleashed has the energy and power to cause mass destruction downstream, killing
and injuring people and destroying property, agriculture, industry, and local and regional
economies. The U.S. Bureau of Reclamation (Reclamation) is responsible for managing and
operating some of this nation’s largest and most critical dams. The failure of one or more of
these dams as the result of a malicious act would come with little warning and a limited time for
evacuation.
In the years since the 9/11 attacks, Reclamation has invested significant resources to establish and build a security
program. Reclamation is now ready to evaluate the results of these efforts and determine how best to move forward
to develop a security program that is robust and sustainable. This book assesses Reclamation s security program
and determines its level of preparedness to deter, respond to, and recover from malicious acts to its physical
infrastructure and to the people who use and manage it.
The Role of Transit in Emergency Evacuation (2008)
TRB Special Report 294: The Role of Transit in Emergency Evacuation explores the roles that
transit systems can play in accommodating the evacuation, egress, and ingress of people from
and to critical locations in times of emergency. The report focuses on major incidents that could
necessitate a partial to full evacuation of the central business district or other large portion of an
urban area.
According to the committee that produced the report, transit agencies could play a significant
role in an emergency evacuation, particularly in transporting carless and special needs
populations, but few urban areas have planned for a major disaster and evacuation that could
involve multiple jurisdictions or multiple states in a region, or have focused on the role of transit and other public
transportation providers in such an incident. The report offers recommendations for making transit a full partner in
emergency evacuation plans and operations, while cautioning emergency managers, elected officials, and the
general public to be realistic in their expectations, particularly in a no-notice incident that occurs during a peak
service period.
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A Guide to Traffic Control of Rural Roads in an Agricultural Emergency
(2008)
TRB’s National Cooperative Highway Research Program (NCHRP) Report 525, Vol. 13:
A Guide to Traffic Control of Rural Roads in an Agricultural Emergency explores
recommended practices and procedures associated with traffic control on local and state
roads during agricultural emergencies.
Quarantine Facilities for Arriving Air Travelers: Identification of Planning
Needs and Costs (2008)
TRB’s Airport Cooperative Research Program (ACRP) Report 5: Quarantine Facilities for
Arriving Air Travelers: Identification of Planning Needs and Costs explores facility issues,
security considerations, and estimated costs (including operating costs) that airport
operators and policymakers may want to consider when planning for the potential
quarantine of arriving air travelers.
Interagency-Aviation Industry Collaboration on Planning for Pandemic
Outbreaks (2008)
TRB’s Conference Proceedings 41: Interagency–Aviation Industry Collaboration on Planning for
Pandemic Outbreaks summarizes a September 5-7, 2007, workshop that took place in
Washington, D.C. Among the issues explored in the proceedings are the current state-of-thepractice for pandemic planning by airports and airlines, coordination among various agencies and
the aviation sector to implement these plans, and the potential areas for public–private sector
cooperation in pandemic planning.
Soldier Protective Clothing and Equipment: Feasibility of Chemical Testing
Using a Fully Articulated Robotic Mannequin (2008)
Committee on Full-System Testing and Evaluation of Personal Protection Equipment Ensembles in Simulated
Chemical-Warfare Environments, National Research Council
There is an ongoing need to test and ensure effectiveness of personal protective equipment that
soldiers use to protect themselves against chemical warfare agents. However, testing using human
subjects presents major challenges and current human-size thermal mannequins have limited
testing capabilities. The U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) along with their counterparts from
other countries are seeking to develop more human like mannequins, which would include features like human
motion, in order to carry out more advanced chemical testing. At the request of DOD Product Director, Test
Equipment, Strategy and Support, the National Research Council formed an ad hoc committee to evaluate the
feasibility of developing an advanced humanoid robot, or Protection Ensemble Test Mannequin (PETMAN) system
that meets the DOD requirements. The book concludes that although most of the individual requirements can
technically be met, fulfilling all of the requirements is currently not possible. Based on this conclusion the committee
recommends that DOD considers three issues, prioritization of current system requirements, use qualified
contractor for particular technical aspects, incorporate complementary testing approaches to the PETMAN system.
Managing Materials for a Twenty-first Century Military (2008)
Committee on Assessing the Need for a Defense Stockpile, National Research Council
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The nature of the global economy has changed, not only expanding U.S. access to the
international market but also increasing competition from a growing list of other countries seeking
access to sometimes scarce raw materials. In the twenty-first century, the United States is faced
with several asymmetric national security threats that span the globe, requiring the military to be
able to respond rapidly to sudden increased demands. Defense needs are now defined in a new
context that is focused on capabilities-based planning rather than on threat-based planning.
Since 1939, the U.S. government, using the National Defense Stockpile (NDS), has been
stockpiling critical strategic materials for national defense. The economic and national security
environments, however, have changed significantly from the time the NDS was created. Current
threats are more varied, production and processing of key materials is more globally dispersed, the global
competition for raw materials is increasing, the U.S. military is more dependent on civilian industry, and industry
depends far more on just-in-time inventory control. To help determine the significance of these changes for the
strategic materials stockpile, the Department of Defense asked the NRC to assess the continuing need for and
value of the NDS. This report begins with the historical context of the NDS. It then presents a discussion of rawmaterials and minerals supply, an examination of changing defense planning and materials needs, an analysis of
modern tools used to manage materials supply chains, and an assessment of current operational practices of the
NDS.
Improving Democracy Assistance: Building Knowledge Through
Evaluations and Research (2008)
Committee on Evaluation of USAID Democracy Assistance Programs, National Research Council
Over the past 25 years, the United States has made support for the spread of democracy to other
nations an increasingly important element of its national security policy. Many other multilateral
agencies, countries, and nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) also are involved in providing
democracy assistance. These efforts have created a growing demand to find the most effective
means to assist in building and strengthening democratic governance under varied conditions.
The committ ee stresses that the goal of USAID should not be merely incremental improvement
of its project evaluations, or funding additional case studies, but building the entire capacity of the agency to
generate, absorb, and disseminate knowledge regarding democracy assistance and its effects. This will necessarily
involve (1) gaining experience with varied impact evaluation designs, including randomized studies, to ascertain
how useful they could be for determining the effects of DG projects; (2) focusing on disaggregated, sectoral-level
measures to track democratic change; (3) expanding the diversity of case studies that are used to inform thinking
on DG planning; and (4) adopting mechanisms and activities to support the active engagement of DG staff and
mission personnel with new research on democratization and DG assistance.
New Directions for Understanding Systemic Risk: A Report on a
Conference Cosponsored by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York and
the National Academy of Sciences (2007)
John Kambhu, Scott Weidman, and Neel Krishnan, Rapporteurs, National Research Council
Guarding against systemic risk in the financial system is a key undertaking for central banks.
Defining this type of risk is difficult, but managing it with precision is harder still. Complicating
this task is the fact that institutional consolidation, a broadening range of financial products, and
greater connectivity among firms have in recent decades materially changed the nature of
systemic risk in the financial system.
To stimulate fresh thinking on systemic risk, the Federal Reserve Bank of New York and the National Research
Council’s Board on Mathematical Sciences and Their Applications held a conference, “New Directions for
Understanding Systemic Risk,” in May 2006. The main goal of the sessions was to explore parallels between
systemic risk in the financial sector and in selected domains of engineering, ecology, and other fields of science.
The event attracted more than 100 experts on systemic risk from 22 countries, representing banks, regulators,
investment firms, U.S. national laboratories, government agencies, and universities. In addition to bringing together
many participants with backgrounds in banking, finance, and economics, the conference broadened the
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discussions by including the perspectives of mathematicians, statisticians, operations researchers, ecologists,
engineers, and physicists.
Although the topic of systemic risk may call to mind the possibility of deliberate attacks, both cyber and terrorist, on
the financial system, after careful consideration the conference organizers decided against emphasizing this source
of systemic risk. They reasoned that such a focus would downplay the many ways in which systemic risks can arise
during the financial system’s normal operations. Analysis of the risks of deliberate attacks might build on the
concepts explored in the conference, but it would require additional considerations and tools.
This report was prepared to share some of the insight and excitement generated by the conference and to
encourage further cross-disciplinary conversations. It presents no National Research Council recommendations.
The views expressed in this report are those of the authors and do not represent the views of the Federal Reserve
Bank of New York, the Federal Reserve System, or the U.S. government. We hope that you find it useful and
informative.
Countering the Threat of Improvised Explosive Devices: Basic Research
Opportunities, Abbreviated Version (2007)
Committee on Defeating Improvised Explosive Devices: Basic Research to Interrupt the IED Delivery Chain,
National Research Council
Attacks in London, Madrid, Bali, Oklahoma City and other places indicate that improvised
explosive devices (IEDs) are among the weapons of choice of terrorists throughout the world.
Scientists and engineers have developed various technologies that have been used to counter
individual IED attacks, but events in Iraq and elsewhere indicate that the effectiveness of IEDs as
weapons of asymmetric warfare remains. The Office of Naval Research has asked The National
Research Council to examine the current state of knowledge and practice in the prevention, detection, and
mitigation of the effects of IEDs and make recommendations for avenues of research toward the goal of making
these devices an ineffective tool of asymmetric warfare. The book includes recommendations such as identifying
the most important and most vulnerable elements in the chain of events leading up to an IED attack, determining
how resources can be controlled in order to prevent the construction of IEDs, new analytical methods and data
modeling to predict the ever-changing behavior of insurgents/terrorists, a deeper understanding of social divisions
in societies, enhanced capabilities for persistent surveillance, and improved IED detection capabilities.
Science and Security in a Post 9/11 World: A Report Based on Regional
Discussions Between the Science and Security Communities (2007)
Committee on a New Government-University Partnership for Science and Security, National Research
Council
The Committee on Science, Technology, and Law, part of the National Academies’ Division on
Policy and Global Affairs (PGA), has released a report that calls upon the United States to ensure
the open exchange of unclassified research despite the small risk that it could be misused for
harm by terrorists or rogue nations, in order to help strengthen the essential role that science and
technology play in maintaining national and economic security. According to the committee that wrote the report,
because science and technology are truly global pursuits, U.S. universities and research institutions must continue
to welcome foreign-born science and engineering students. PGA is a division of the National Academies, which
include the National Academy of Sciences, National Academy of Engineering, Institute of Medicine, and National
Research Council.
Modeling Community Containment for Pandemic Influenza: A Letter Report
(2007)
Committee on Modeling Community Containment for Pandemic Influenza
The Board on Population Health and Public Health Practice (BPH), part of the National
Academies’ Institute of Medicine (IOM), has released a letter report that explores the quality of
existing models about a potential influenza pandemic and their utility for predicting the effects of
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various community containment policies on disease mitigation. The report also examines the available science and
previous analyses of the efficacy of community mitigation approaches and the historical record of community
interventions utilized during previous influenza pandemics and other relevant outbreaks. IOM is part of the National
Academies, which include the National Academy of Sciences, National Academy of Engineering, Institute of
Medicine, and National Research Council.
Protecting Building Occupants and Operations from Biological and
Chemical Airborne Threats: A Framework for Decision Making (2007)
Committee on Protecting Occupants of DOD Buildings from Chemical and Biological Release, National
Research Council
The Board on Chemical Sciences and Technology and the Board on Life Sciences, both part of
the National Academies’ Division on Earth and Life Studies (DELS), have released a report that
examines existing work on preventing and mitigating the effects of airborne biological or
chemical threat agents released within or infiltrated into built structures. The report explores
general principles that can be derived from those studies and existing test beds and reviews the
cost, benefit, and risks of potential protection schemes. DELS is a division of the National
Academies, which include the National Academy of Sciences, National Academy of Engineering, Institute of
Medicine, and National Research Council.
Science and Technology to Counter Terrorism: Proceedings of an IndoU.S. Workshop (2007)
Committee on International Security and Arms Control, National Academy of Sciences
This volume presents the papers and summarizes the discussions of a workshop held in Goa,
India, in January 2004, organized by the Indian National Institute of Advanced Science (NIAS)
and the U.S. Committee on International Security and Arms Control (CISAC). During the
workshop, Indian and U.S. experts examined the terrorist threat faced in both countries and
elsewhere in the world, and explored opportunities for the U.S. and India to work together.
Bringing together scientists and experts with common scientific and technical backgrounds from different cultures
provided a unique opportunity to explore possible means of preventing or mitigating future terrorist attacks.
Assessment of Millimeter-Wave and Terahertz Technology for Detection
and Identification of Concealed Explosives and Weapons (2007)
Committee on Assessment of Security Technologies for Transportation, National Research Council
The security of the U.S. commercial aviation system has been a growing concern since the 1970
s when the hijacking of aircraft became a serious problem. Over that period, federal aviation
officials have been searching for more effective ways for non-invasive screening of passengers,
luggage, and cargo to detect concealed explosives and weapons. To assist in this effort, the
Transportation Security Administration (TSA) asked the NRC for a study of emerging screening
technologies. This report the third of four focuses on currently maturing millimeterwavelength/terahertz imaging and spectroscopy technologies that offer promise in meeting aviation security
requirements. The report provides a description of the basic operation of these imaging systems, an assessment of
their component technologies, an analysis of various system concepts, and an implementation strategy for
deployment of millimeter-wavelength/terahertz technology screening systems.
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A Path to the Next Generation of U.S. Banknotes: Keeping Them Real
(2007)
Committee on Technologies to Deter Currency Counterfeiting, National Research Council
The rapid pace at which digital printing is advancing is posing a very serious challenge to the
U.S. Department of the Treasury s Bureau of Printing (BEP) to stay ahead of the evolving
counterfeiting threats to U.S. currency. To help meet that challenge, the BEP asked the NRC to
undertake an assessment of technologies and methods to produce designs to enhance the
security of U.S. Federal Reserve notes (FRNs). This report presents the results of a systematic
investigation of the trends in digital imaging and printing and how they enable emerging
counterfeiting threats; the identification and analysis of new features of FRNs that could provide effective
countermeasures to these threats; and an overview of a requirements-driven development process that could be
adapted to develop an advanced-generation currency.
Successful Response Starts with a Map: Improving Geospatial Support for
Disaster Management (2007)
Committee on Planning for Catastrophe: A Blueprint for Improving Geospatial Data, Tools, and
Infrastructure, National Research Council
This report is about the geospatial data and tools that are available for one particular application,
that of preparing for and responding to emergencies. It discusses how those resources are
utilized and the impediments that may exist to their greater and more effective utilization.
Although in testimony the committee was told that “successful emergency response starts with a
map,” the experience of recent disasters such as Hurricane Katrina and the attacks of
September 11, 2001, has shown that the geospatial data and tools that exist within our communities have not been
integrated effectively into disaster planning, response, and recovery. There are many reasons for this, and they are
explored in this report. The committee also examines the consequences of underutilization, which are often
disastrous, in the form of loss of life, damage to property, and damage to the environment. The report’s
recommendations point to steps that can be taken to address this serious issue at local, national, and international
levels through increased utilization and more effective integration of geospatial data and tools into emergency
management processes.
Improving Disaster Management: The Role of IT in Mitigation,
Preparedness, Response, and Recovery (2007)
Committee on Using Information Technology to Enhance Disaster Management, National Research Council
This report examines information technology’s as-yet unrealized potential to improve how
communities and the nation handle disasters and describes payoffs for disaster management
that include more robust and interoperable communications, improved situational awareness and
decision support, greater organizational agility, and enhanced engagement of the public.
Improving the Nation's Water Security: Opportunities for Research (2007)
Committee on Water System Security Research, National Research Council
Concern over terrorist attacks since 2001 has directed attention to potential vulnerabilities of the
nation's water and wastewater systems. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), which
leads federal efforts to protect the water sector, initiated a research program in 2002 to address
immediate research and technical support needs. This report, conducted at EPA’s request,
evaluates research progress and provides a long-term vision for EPA ' s research program. The
report recommends that EPA develop a strategic research plan, address gaps in expertise
among EPA program managers and researchers, and improve its approaches to information
dissemination. The report recommends several high-priority research topics for EPA, including
conducting empirical research in behavioral science to better understand how to prepare people for water security
incidents.
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Drinking Water Distribution Systems: Assessing and Reducing Risks
(2006)
Committee on Public Water Supply Distribution Systems: Assessing and Reducing Risks, National Research
Council
Protecting and maintaining water distributions systems is crucial to ensuring high quality drinking
water. Distribution systems -- consisting of pipes, pumps, valves, storage tanks, reservoirs,
meters, fittings, and other hydraulic appurtenances -- carry drinking water from a centralized
treatment plant or well supplies to consumers taps. Spanning almost 1 million miles in the United
States, distribution systems represent the vast majority of physical infrastructure for water
supplies, and thus constitute the primary management challenge from both an operational and public health
standpoint. Recent data on waterborne disease outbreaks suggest that distribution systems remain a source of
contamination that has yet to be fully addressed. This report evaluates approaches for risk characterization and
recent data, and it identifies a variety of strategies that could be considered to reduce the risks posed by waterquality deteriorating events in distribution systems. Particular attention is given to backflow events via cross
connections, the potential for contamination of the distribution system during construction and repair activities,
maintenance of storage facilities, and the role of premise plumbing in public health risk. The report also identifies
advances in detection, monitoring and modeling, analytical methods, and research and development opportunities
that will enable the water supply industry to further reduce risks associated with drinking water distribution
systems.
Countering Urban Terrorism in Russia and the United States: Proceedings
of a Workshop (2006)
Committee on Counterterrorism Challenges for Russia and the United States
In January-February 2005, the National Academies Committee on Counterterrorism Challenges
for Russia and the United States and the Russian Academy of Sciences Standing Committee on
Counterterrorism held a workshop on urban terrorism in Washington, D.C. Prior to the workshop,
three working groups convened to focus on the topics of energy systems vulnerabilities,
transportation systems vulnerabilities, and cyberterrorism issues. The working groups met with
local experts and first responders, prepared reports, and presented their findings at the
workshop. Other workshop papers focused on various organizations’ integrated response to acts of urban
terrorism, recent acts of terrorism, radiological terrorism, biological terrorism, cyberterrorism, and the roots of
terrorism.
The Future of Emergency Care in the United States Health System (2006)
Committee on the Future of Emergency Care in the United States Health System, Institute of Medicine
Emergency Medical Services At the Crossroads (2006)
Hospital-Based Emergency Care: At the Breaking Point (2006)
Emergency Care for Children: Growing Pains (2006)
In September 2003, the Institute of Medicine undertook a study to examine the
state of emergency care in the U.S. Charged with creating a vision for the future of
emergency care, the committee responded by publishing a series of three reports that look at hospital-based
emergency and trauma care, at prehospital emergency medical services (EMS), and at the special challenge of
providing emergency care for children. In these three volumes, the committee identified what it believes are the
most important issues facing the nation’s emergency care system and has made a series of recommendations for
how best to deal with those issues. All three reports address the important issue of disaster preparedness. The
committee concluded that the emergency care system is ill-prepared to handle a major disaster.
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Reusability of Facemasks During an Influenza Pandemic: Facing the Flu (2006)
Committee on the Development of Reusable Facemasks for Use During an Influenza Pandemic, Institute of
Medicine
Pandemic influenza is a serious threat for which public health emergency preparations are in high
gear. Although the time at which a pandemic might arrive is unknown, most public health officials hold
the opinion that the world is overdue for such an event. Measures to decrease person-to-person
contact, improve treatment, and provide vaccine or antiviral drug prophylaxis are all important
strategies to mitigate the impact of a pandemic. Even though the use of respirators and medical masks provides a
secondary nonpharmacological means of preventing or slowing influenza transmission, such measures are widely
considered an intervention of last resort. This report addresses the reuse of respirators and medical masks as a
means of preventing or slowing influenza transmission during a pandemic should there be an insufficient supply of
new respirators and masks available to those who need them.
Defense Modeling, Simulation, and Analysis: Meeting the Challenge (2006)
Committee on Modeling and Simulation for Defense Transformation, National Research Council
Modeling, simulation, and analysis (MS&A) is a crucial tool for military affairs. MS&A is one of the
announced pillars of a strategy for transforming the U.S. military. Yet changes in the enterprise of
MS&A have not kept pace with the new demands arising from rapid changes in DOD processes
and missions or with the rapid changes in the technology available to meet those demands. To
help address those concerns, DOD asked the NRC to identify shortcomings in current practice of
MS&A and suggest where and how they should be resolved. This report provides an assessment
of the changing mission of DOD and environment in which it must operate, an identification of
high-level opportunities for MS&A research to address the expanded mission, approaches for
improving the interface between MS&A practitioners and decision makers, a discussion of training and continuing
education of MS&A practitioners, and an examination of the need for coordinated military science research to
support MS&A.
Treating Infectious Diseases in a Microbial World: Report of Two
Workshops on Novel Antimicrobial Therapeutics (2006)
Committee on New Directions in the Study of Antimicrobial Therapeutics: New Classes of Antimicrobials,
Committee on New Directions in the Study of Antimicrobial Therapeutics: Immunomodulation, National
Research Council
Humans coexist with millions of harmless microorganisms, but emerging diseases, resistance to
antibiotics, and the threat of bioterrorism are forcing scientists to look for new ways to confront the
microbes that do pose a danger. This report identifies innovative approaches to the development
of antimicrobial drugs and vaccines based on a greater understanding of how the human immune
system interacts with both good and bad microbes. The report concludes that the development of
a single superdrug to fight all infectious agents is unrealistic.
Overcoming Challenges to Develop Countermeasures Against Aerosolized
Bioterrorism Agents: Appropriate Use of Animal Models (2006)
Committee on Animal Models for Testing Interventions Against Aerosolized Bioterrorism Agents, National
Research Council
The National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) gives the highest priority to
developing countermeasures against bioterrorism agents that are highly infective when dispersed
in aerosol form. Developing drugs to prevent or treat illnesses caused by bioterrorism agents
requires testing their effectiveness in animals since human clinical trials would be unethical. At
the request of NIAID, the National Academies conducted a study to examine how such testing
could be improved. The report provides recommendations to researchers on selecting the kinds
of animal models, aerosol generators, and bioterrorism agent doses that would produce conditions that most
closely mimic the disease process in humans. It also urges researchers to fully document experimental parameters
in the literature so that studies can be reproduced and compared. The report recommends that all unclassified data
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on bioterrorism agent studies--including unclassified, unpublished data from U.S. Army Medical Research Institute
of Infections Diseases (USAMRIID)--be published in the open literature. The report also calls on the U.S. Food and
Drug Administration to improve the process by which bioterrorism countermeasures are approved based on the
results of animal studies.
Terrorism and the Chemical Infrastructure: Protecting People and
Reducing Vulnerabilities (2006)
Committee on Assessing Vulnerabilities Related to the Nation's Chemical Infrastructure, National Research
Council
The chemical sector is a key part of the national economy and has been designated by the
Department of Homeland Security (DHS) as one of 17 sectors comprising the nation's Critical
Infrastructure. Although its products represent only 2 percent of the U.S. gross domestic
product, those products underpin most other manufactured goods. To assist DHS in
characterizing and mitigating the vulnerabilities faced by the nation from the chemical industry,
this study examines classes of chemicals and chemical processes that are critical to the nation's
security, economy, and health. It identifies vulnerabilities and points of weakness in the supply chain for these
chemicals and chemical processes; assesses the likely impact of a significant disruption in the supply chain;
identifies actions to help prevent disruption in the supply chain and mitigate loss and injury should such disruption
occur; identifies incentives and disincentives to preventative and mitigating actions; and recommends areas of
scientific, engineering, and economic research and development. The report concludes that the consequences of a
deliberate attack on the chemical infrastructure would be expected to be similar in nature to the accidents we have
already experienced. Under limited circumstances, such an attack could cause catastrophic casualties and loss of
life, but it would take several simultaneous events to cause catastrophic economic consequences. Poor
communication could amplify societal response. Overall, the recommendations in this report emphasize the benefit
of investments to improve emergency preparedness for and response to chemical events. They also highlight the
potential to minimize the physical hazards through development of cost-effective, safer processes that reduce the
volume, toxicity, or hazardous conditions under which chemicals are processed.
Facing Hazards and Disasters: Understanding Human Dimensions (2006)
Committee on Disaster Research in the Social Sciences: Future Challenges and Opportunities,
National Research Council
Social science research conducted since the late 1970s has contributed greatly to society’s
ability to mitigate and adapt to natural, technological, and willful disasters. However, as
evidenced by Hurricane Katrina, the Indian Ocean tsunami, the September 11, 2001 terrorist
attacks on the United States, and other recent events, hazards and disaster research and its
application could be improved greatly. In particular, more studies should be pursued that
compare how the characteristics of different types of events—including predictability,
forewarning, magnitude, and duration of impact—affect societal vulnerability and response. This
report includes over thirty recommendations for the hazards and disaster community. Notably, comparative
research should be conducted to refine and measure core components of societal vulnerability and resilience to
hazards of all types, address the special requirements of confronting disasters caused by terrorist acts, and
advance knowledge about mitigation, preparedness, response, and recovery related to disasters having
catastrophic physical and social impacts. Moreover, strategic planning and institution building are needed to
address issues related to the management and sharing of data on hazards and disasters (hazards and disaster
informatics), sustain the momentum of interdisciplinary research, advance the utilization of social science findings,
and sustain the hazards and disaster research workforce. And above all, the National Science Foundation and the
Department of Homeland Security should jointly support the comparative research, strategic planning, and
institution building called for in the report.
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Defending the U.S. Air Transportation System Against Chemical and
Biological Threats (2006)
3/31/2006
The National Materials Advisory Board (NMAB) of the National Academies’ Division on
Engineering and Physical Sciences (DEPS) has released a report that calls for enhancing
defenses against chemical or biological attack in airport terminals, boarding areas, and aircraft
by using improved video surveillance, reducing airflow between airport areas, and deploying
"active purification units" that eliminate or reduce infectious agents. The committee that
developed the report recommends that responsibility for developing such technologies should be assigned to the
Transportation Security Administration. The NMAB’s Committee on Assessment of Security Technologies for
Transportation is studying technologies to protect the nation’s air transportation system from terrorist attacks. The
committee judged that the best way to provide a timely response would be to produce a series of short reports on
promising technologies, focusing on specific topics of greatest interest to the sponsor. This is the second of four
such topical reports, all of which focus on air transportation security.
Going the Distance? The Safe Transport of Spent Nuclear Fuel and HighLevel Radioactive Waste in the United States (2006)
2/13/2006
Under the aegis of Division on Earth and Life Studies’ (DELS’) Nuclear and Radiation Studies
Board and the Transportation Research Board (TRB), the Committee on Transportation of
Radioactive Waste has released a report that examines the risks and identifies key current and
future technical and societal concerns for the transport of spent nuclear fuel and high-level
radioactive waste in the United States. The report also assesses how the U.S. Department of
Energy currently selects routes for shipping spent fuel from research reactors between its
facilities in the United States. DELS and TRB are divisions of the National Academies, which include the National
Academy of Sciences, National Academy of Engineering, Institute of Medicine, and National Research Council. A
press release on the report is also available. [More]
Globalization, Biosecurity, and the Future of the Life Sciences (2006)
Committee on Advances in Technology and the Prevention of Their Application to Next Generation
Biowarfare Threats, National Research Council
Biomedical advances have made it possible to identify and manipulate features of living
organisms in useful ways -- leading to improvements in public health, agriculture, and other
areas. The globalization of scientific and technical expertise also means that many scientists and
other individuals around the world are generating breakthroughs in the life sciences and related
technologies. However, coordinated global efforts are needed to reduce the growing risk that new
advances in these areas will be used to make novel biological weapons or misused by careless
groups and individuals. The report recommends multidisciplinary measures to identify and mitigate such dangers
over the next five to 10 years. The committee said that even if fully implemented, its recommendations would not
guarantee that biomedical advances would be used solely for peaceful purposes. Therefore, steps should be taken
now to strengthen America's public health infrastructure by improving its ability to quickly detect biological agents
and recognize disease outbreaks, and respond to emergencies such as bioterrorist attacks or rapidly spreading
pandemics. In addition, greater coordination of federal, state, and local public health agencies is sorely needed.
Safety and Security of Commercial Spent Nuclear Fuel Storage: Public
Report (2006)
Committee on the Safety and Security of Commercial Spent Nuclear Fuel Storage, National Research
Council
In response to a request from Congress, the Nuclear Regulatory Commission and the
Department of Homeland Security sponsored a National Academies study to assess the safety
and security risks of spent nuclear fuel stored in cooling pools and dry casks at commercial
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nuclear power plants. The information provided in this book examines the risks of terrorist attacks using these
materials for a radiological dispersal device. Safety and Security of Commercial Spent Nuclear Fuel is an
unclassified public summary of a more detailed classified book. The book finds that successful terrorist attacks on
spent fuel pools, though difficult, are possible. A propagating fire in a pool could release large amounts of
radioactive material, but rearranging spent fuel in the pool during storage and providing emergency water spray
systems would reduce the likelihood of a propagating fire even under severe damage conditions. The book
suggests that additional studies are needed to better understand these risks. Although dry casks have advantages
over cooling pools, pools are necessary at all operating nuclear power plants to store at least the recently
discharged fuel. The book explains it would be difficult for terrorists to steal enough spent fuel to construct a
significant radiological dispersal device.
Biological Science and Biotechnology in Russia: Controlling Diseases and
Enhancing Security (2005)
Development, Security and Cooperation, National Research Council
This report offers a number of recommendations that could help restore Russia’s ability to join
with the United States and the broader international community in leading an expanded global
effort to control infectious diseases. A proposed bilateral intergovernmental commission could
play a pivotal role toward that end as cooperation moves from assistance to partnership. The
report proposes the establishment of two model State Sanitary Epidemiological Surveillance
Centers in Russia, more focused support of competitively selected Russian research groups as
centers of excellence, the promotion of investments in biotechnology niches that are well suited for Russian
companies, and expanded opportunities for young scientists to achieve scientific leadership positions in Russia.
Also, the report highlights the importance of U.S. programs that support the integration of former Soviet defense
scientists with civilian researchers who had not been involved in military-related activities.
An International Spent Nuclear Fuel Storage Facility -- Exploring a
Russian Site as a Prototype: Proceedings of an International Workshop
(2005)
Development, Security and Cooperation, National Research Council
As part of a long-standing collaboration on nuclear nonproliferation, the National Academy of
Sciences and the Russian Academy of Sciences held a joint workshop in Moscow in 2003 on
the scientific aspects of an international radioactive disposal site in Russia. The passage of
Russian laws permitting the importation and storage of high-level radioactive material (primarily
spent nuclear fuel from reactors) has engendered interest from a number of foreign
governments, including the U.S., in exploring the possibility of transferring material to Russia on a temporary or
permanent basis. The workshop focused on the environmental aspects of the general location and characteristics
of a possible storage site, transportation to and within the site, containers for transportation and storage, inventory
and accountability, audits and inspections, and handling technologies.
Strengthening U.S-Russian Cooperation on Nuclear Nonproliferation
(2005)
Development, Security and Cooperation, National Research Council
This report offers the consensus findings and recommendations of a joint committee established
by the U.S. National Academies and the Russian Academy of Sciences to identify methods of
improving the ongoing cooperation between the two nations in this area. The report finds that
the best way to realize the enormous potential of the U.S.-Russian relationship on nuclear
nonproliferation is to reinvigorate the relationship between the two governments as a true
partnership. It recommends that the U.S. and Russia establish a Joint High-Level Commission of government and
non-government experts to assess their cooperation and devise a strategic plan for moving forward. It suggests
that the Senior Interagency Group that was recently established by the two presidents be empowered to carry out
this strategic plan. The report then examines three issue areas, making specific recommendations in each: law and
taxation, program organization and management, and scientific and technical cooperation.
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Key Hazards and Security Products of The National Academies—www.TRB.org/NASecurityProducts (November 27, 2012)
Protection, Control, and Accounting of Nuclear Materials: International
Challenges and National Programs -- Workshop Summary (2005)
Development, Security and Cooperation, National Research Council
The U.S. and Russian academies convened a workshop in 2003 for sharing best practices in
nuclear materials protection, control, and accounting (MPC&A), including the status and
application of remote monitoring technologies, personnel issues, and both national and
international safeguards worldwide. The goals of the workshop were to identify areas in which
the United States and Russia can promote best practices in MPC&A globally and expand U.S.Russian cooperation on nuclear non-proliferation. The papers presented in the workshop and
the outcomes of workshop discussions form the basis for this workshop summary.
Monitoring Nuclear Weapons and Nuclear-Explosive Materials: An
Assessment of Methods and Capabilities (2005)
Committee on International Security and Arms Control, National Academy of Sciences
In this study, CISAC tackles the technical dimensions of a longstanding controversy: To what
extent could existing and plausibly attainable measures for transparency and monitoring make
possible the verification of all nuclear weapons—strategic and nonstrategic, deployed and
nondeployed—plus the nuclear-explosive components and materials that are their essential
ingredients? The committee’s assessment of the technical and organizational possibilities
suggests a more optimistic conclusion than most of those concerned with these issues might
have expected.
Strengthening Long-term Nuclear Security: Protecting Weapon-Usable
Material in Russia (2005)
Committee on Indigenization of Programs to Prevent Leakage of Plutonium and Highly Enriched Uranium
from Russia
This report highlights several obstacles in the transition from a U.S.-Russian cooperative
program to a Russian-directed and Russian-funded fully indigenized program that will ensure the
security of 600 tons of weapon-usable nuclear material at a level of international acceptability.
Overcoming these obstacles requires an increased political commitment at a number of levels of
the Russian Government to modern material protection, control, and accounting systems
(MPC&A). Adequate resources must be provided to facilities where weapon-usable material is
located for upgrading and maintaining MPC&A systems. Additionally, the technical security systems that are being
installed through the cooperative program need to be fully embraced by Russian managers and specialists. The
report recommends the establishment of a ten-year indigenization fund of about $500 million provided by Russia
and its G-8 partners as a new mechanism for gradually shifting the financial burden of MPC&A to the Russian
Government.
Reopening Public Facilities After a Biological Attack: A Decision-Making
Framework (2005)
Committee on Standards and Policies for Decontaminating Public Facilities Affected by Exposure to
Harmful Biological Agents: How Clean is Safe?, National Research Council
The anthrax attacks in fall 2001 spurred an extensive and costly decontamination effort where
many decisions had to be made about which sites required cleanup, what method to use, how to
determine the effectiveness of the cleanup, and how "clean" the building had to be for
reoccupation. As part of a project funded by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS),
and managed by Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, the National Research Council was
asked to consider the criteria that must be met for a cleanup to be declared successful, allowing
the reoccupation of a facility. The report finds that efficiently sampling and characterizing a pathogen is critical for
choosing the best remediation strategy. However, there should be no universal standard for deciding when a
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Key Hazards and Security Products of The National Academies—www.TRB.org/NASecurityProducts (November 27, 2012)
building is safe to re-enter because varying pathogen amounts and characteristics could require different strategies.
The report offers a flowchart for decision-makers that includes questions about the characteristics of the pathogen;
how far it has spread; whether it is transmissible between humans; and how long it will survive to pose a threat. The
report also recommends that a risk-assessment approach be adopted as part of a strategy for achieving a "socially
acceptable" standard for cleanup.
John R. La Montagne Memorial Symposium on Pandemic Influenza
Research: Meeting Proceedings [Pandemic Influenza Research Gaps]
(2005)
Board on Population Health and Public Health Practice
The Institute of Medicine (IOM) of The National Academies of Dcience held a symposium, in
memory of Dr. John R. La Montagne on April 4-5, 2005, to discuss the current state of the art of
research on pandemic influenza and to identify gaps in research. The symposium serves as a
first step of discussion towards a combined and coordinated research effort among Department
of Health and Human Services agencies, other governmental agencies, international partners and the private
sector.
The Proceedings of the John La Montagne Memorial Symposium on Pandemic Influenza Research Gaps
represents a slightly edited transcript of the plenary presentations, rapporteur presentations, plenary discussion and
presentation slides. It is not an official report of the National Academy of Sciences, the National Academy of
Engineering, the Institute of Medicine, or the National Research Council (the "National Academies").
Workshops on Export Controls (2005)
Committee on Science, Technology, and Law; Government-University-Industry Research Roundtable; and the Committee on
Scientific Communication and National Security
A Workshop on Export Controls: Amending DFARS (September 16, 2005)
Workshop on Deemed Exports (May 6, 2005)
The National Academies in 1998 established the Science, Technology, and Law (STL) Program, (now called the
Committee on Science, Technology, and Law) to bring together the science and engineering community and the
legal community to explore pressing issues, improve communication and help resolve issues between the two
communities. A major activity for the program has been the convening of a distinguished panel/committee chosen
for their knowledge and expertise and who represent a wide range of organizations including federal courts, the
legal community, industry, academia, and government. The panel/committee meets several times a year in a
neutral and nonadversarial setting to discuss critical issues at the interface of science, technology, and the law; to
promote understanding; and to develop imaginative approaches to solving problems of mutual concern.
Microbial Threats to Health- the Threat of Pandemic Influenza (2005)
Mark S. Smolinski, Margaret A. Hamburg, and Joshua Lederberg, Editors, Committee on Emerging
Microbial Threats to Health in the 21st Century
Although we are faced with a complex challenge of preparing for an influenza pandemic, we
have the knowledge and capabilities to put in place systems to reduce the threat. Such systems
can have vast implications for maintaining national and international security, and for saving
lives. More needs to be done now, both within countries and globally, to better prepare for the
threat of pandemic influenza. Renewed and serious commitments to the public/private
partnerships are necessary for developing new vaccines for influenza and for assuring their
adequate production and supply, whether for routine use or in a pandemic emergency. These
same partnerships are also needed to contribute to the development of new and improved antivirals, and to ensure
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Key Hazards and Security Products of The National Academies—www.TRB.org/NASecurityProducts (November 27, 2012)
an adequate stockpiling of such drugs. The current global system for disease detection and reporting should be
strengthened and expanded upon to get the earliest warning of an emerging outbreak, which is crucial to
responding to a threat. Pandemic preparedness plans should be in place on a local, national, and global level, to
offer an effective plan to respond and to share critical resources during an unfolding crisis. And finally, we need to
continue to work closely with other countries to develop new agricultural strategies and animal management
practices that are less likely to propagate the development and rapid spread of influenza among animals, and more
importantly, from animals to humans. These are just some of the key issues that must be approached from a global
perspective if we are to be better prepared.
The Threat of Pandemic Influenza: Are We Ready? (2005)
Stacey L. Knobler, Alison Mack, Adel Mahmoud, Stanley M. Lemon, Editors
Public health officials and organizations around the world remain on high alert because of
increasing concerns about the prospect of an influenza pandemic, which many experts believe
to be inevitable. Moreover, recent problems with the availability and strain-specificity of vaccine
for annual flu epidemics in some countries and the rise of pandemic strains of avian flu in
disparate geographic regions have alarmed experts about the world's ability to prevent or
contain a human pandemic. The workshop summary, The Threat of Pandemic Influenza: Are
We Ready? addresses these urgent concerns.
The report describes what steps the United States and other countries have taken thus far to prepare for the next
outbreak of "killer flu." It also looks at gaps in readiness, including hospitals' inability to absorb a surge of patients
and many nations' incapacity to monitor and detect flu outbreaks. The report points to the need for international
agreements to share flu vaccine and antiviral stockpiles to ensure that the 88 percent of nations that cannot
manufacture or stockpile these products have access to them. It chronicles the toll of the H5N1 strain of avian flu
currently circulating among poultry in many parts of Asia, which now accounts for the culling of millions of birds and
the death of at least 50 persons. And it compares the costs of preparations with the costs of illness and death that
could arise during an outbreak.
Frameworks for Higher Education in Homeland Security (2005)
Committee on Educational Paradigms for Homeland Security, National Research Council
This report explores whether there are core pedagogical and skill-based homeland security
program needs; examines current and proposed education programs focusing on various
aspects of homeland security; comments on the possible parallels between homeland security,
area studies, international relations, and science policy, as developed or emerging academic
thrusts; and suggests potential curricula needs, particularly those that involve interdisciplinary
aspects. The report concentrates almost exclusively on coursework-related offerings, primarily
at the undergraduate and graduate levels.
Summary of a Workshop on Using Information Technology to Enhance
Disaster Management (2005)
10/20/2005
The National Academies’ Computer Science and Telecommunications Board (CSTB), part of the
Division on Engineering and Physical Sciences (DEPS), has released a summary of a June 2223, 2005, workshop on the use of information technology to enhance the management of natural
and human-made disasters. Workshop participants provided their perspectives on the state of
the practices and described opportunities to make better use of information technology to
improve disaster management. TRB, like DEPS, is a division of the National Academies, which include the
National Academy of Sciences, National Academy of Engineering, Institute of Medicine, and National Research
Council. [More]
Quarantine Stations at Ports of Entry Protecting the Public's Health (2005)
9/22/2005
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Key Hazards and Security Products of The National Academies—www.TRB.org/NASecurityProducts (November 27, 2012)
The Institute of Medicine of the National Academies has released a report that examines how the
U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) should strengthen the system of existing
and planned quarantine stations to meet the challenges posed by microbial threats at the nation’s
ports of entry. According to the committee that produced the report, the system for intercepting
microbial threats at the nation's airports, seaports, and borders needs strategic leadership and a
comprehensive plan to meet the challenges posed by emerging diseases and bioterrorist
threats. In addition, the committee believes that the CDC—particularly the Division of Global
Migration and Quarantine and the individual quarantine stations at U.S. ports of entry—should be
given the responsibility, authority, and resources to lead the effort to protect the public from
microbial threats that originate abroad. The committee’s report calls upon the CDC to work with
national, state, and local partners to develop a more comprehensive strategic approach that
clearly delineates each partner's roles and responsibilities. TRB is a division of the National Academies, which
include the National Academy of Sciences, National Academy of Engineering, Institute of Medicine, and National
Research Council. [More]
Review of Testing and Evaluation Methodology for Biological Point
Detectors (2005)
Committee on the Review of Testing and Evaluation Methodology for Biological Point Detectors, National
Research Council
This report examines the proposed testing methodology and facility that the Department of
Defense (DOD) will use to test and evaluate the effectiveness of its detection system against
biological warfare agents an issue that impacts battlefield missions as well as homeland security
missions. The report assesses a proposal to construct a whole system live agent testing facility
at West Center Test Center, Dugway Proving Ground in Utah for testing the Joint Biological
Point Detection System (JBPDS). Because of scientific and schedule-related risks, the report recommends an
alternate approach that focuses test and evaluation efforts on leveraging existing data, improving simulated
biological agents for use in testing, testing in conditions that more closely resemble the actual field conditions
where the JBPDS would be deployed, and modeling for predicted performance against actual biological agents.
The report concludes that an integrated testing and evaluation plan encompassing all of these factors will be
needed.
An International Perspective on Advancing Technologies and Strategies
for Managing Dual-Use Risks: Report of a Workshop [Advances in
Technology and the Prevention of their Application to Next Generation
Biowarfare Agents] (2005)
Committee on Advances in Technology and the Prevention of Their Application to Next Generation
Biowarfare Threats, National Research Council
As part of its study, the committee held a workshop at the Instituto Nacional de Salud Publica
(National Institute of Public Health) in Cuernavaca, Mexico, in September 2004. The purpose of
the workshop was to sample global perspectives on the current advancing technology
landscape.
Experts from different fields and from around the world presented their diverse outlooks on
 advancing technologies and forces that drive technological progress;
 local and regional capabilities for life sciences research, development, and application (both beneficial and
malevolent);
 national perceptions and awareness of the risks associated with advancing technologies; and
 measures that have been taken, or could or should be taken, to reduce the potential for misapplication of
technology(ies) or malevolent purposes.
This report summarizes the formal and informal discussions held at the workshop.
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Key Hazards and Security Products of The National Academies—www.TRB.org/NASecurityProducts (November 27, 2012)
Effects of Nuclear Earth-Penetrator and Other Weapons (2005)
Committee on the Effects of Nuclear Earth-Penetrator and Other Weapons, National Research Council
Underground facilities are used extensively by many nations to conceal and protect strategic
military functions and weapons stockpiles. Because of their depth and hardened status,
however, many of these strategic hard and deeply buried targets could only be put at risk by
conventional or nuclear earth penetrating weapons (EPW). Recently, an engineering feasibility
study, the robust nuclear earth penetrator program, was started by DOE and DOD to determine
if a more effective EPW could be designed using major components of existing nuclear
weapons. This activity has created some controversy about, among other things, the level of collateral damage that
would ensue if such a weapon were used. To help clarify this issue, the Congress, in P.L. 107-314, directed the
Secretary of Defense to request from the NRC a study of the anticipated health and environmental effects of
nuclear earth-penetrators and other weapons and the effect of both conventional and nuclear weapons against the
storage of biological and chemical weapons. This report provides the results of those analyses. Based on detailed
numerical calculations, the report presents a series of findings comparing the effectiveness and expected collateral
damage of nuclear EPW and surface nuclear weapons under a variety of conditions.
Sensor Systems for Biological Agent Attacks: Protecting Buildings and
Military Bases (2005)
Committee on Materials and Manufacturing Processes for Advanced Sensors, National Research Council
Over the last ten years, there has been growing concern about potential biological attacks on
the nation s population and its military facilities. It is now possible to detect such attacks quickly
enough to permit treatment of potential victims prior to the onset of symptoms. The capability to
detect to warn, that is in time to take action to minimize human exposure, however, is still
lacking. To help achieve such a capability, the Defense Threat Reduction Agency (DTRA) asked
the National Research Council (NRC) to assess the development path for detect to warn sensors systems. This
report presents the results of this assessment including analysis of scenarios for protecting facilities, sensor
requirements, and detection technologies and systems. Findings and recommendations are provided for the most
probable path to achieve a detect-to-warn capability and potential technological breakthroughs that could
accelerate its attainment.
Nuclear Attack (2005)
7/1/2005
A fact sheet from the National Academies and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security offers
clear, objective information on nuclear attacks and their impact and dangers. Created for
journalists participating in the Academies' workshops on "News and Terrorism: Communicating in
a Crisis," the fact sheet may be helpful to transportation agencies’ employees who could be
among the first to respond to such an attack. This fact sheet is part of a series on weapons of
mass destruction. [More]
Biological Attack: Human Pathogens, Biotoxins, and Agricultural Threats
(2005)
5/16/2005
A new fact sheet from the National Academies and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security
offers clear, objective information on biological attacks and their impact and dangers. Created for
journalists participating in the Academies' workshops on "News and Terrorism: Communicating in
a Crisis," the fact sheet may be helpful to transportation agencies’ employees who could be
among the first to respond to such an attack. This fact sheet is part of a series on weapons of
mass destruction. [More]
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Key Hazards and Security Products of The National Academies—www.TRB.org/NASecurityProducts (November 27, 2012)
Chemical Attack: Warfare Agents, Industrial Chemicals, and Toxins (2004)
10/1/2004
A fact sheet from the National Academies and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security offers
clear, objective information on chemical attacks and their impact and dangers. Created for
journalists participating in the Academies' workshops on "News and Terrorism: Communicating in
a Crisis," the fact sheet may be helpful to transportation agencies’ employees who could be
among the first to respond to such an attack. This fact sheet is part of a series on weapons of
mass destruction. [More]
Dirty Bombs Fact Sheet (2004)
9/7/2004
A new fact sheet from the National Academies and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security
offers clear, objective information on "dirty bombs" and other devices that could be used in a
radiological terrorist attack. Created for journalists participating in the Academies' workshops on
"News and Terrorism: Communicating in a Crisis," the fact sheet is the first in a series on
weapons of mass destruction. Forthcoming fact sheets will address chemical, biological, and
nuclear attacks. [More]
Overcoming Impediments to U.S-Russian Cooperation on Nuclear NonProliferation: Report of a Joint Workshop (2004)
Development, Security and Cooperation, National Research Council
The U.S. National Academies and the Russian Academy of Sciences convened a joint
workshop to identify methods of overcoming impediments to cooperation between the United
States and Russia on nonproliferation. The workshop emphasized approaches and techniques
that have already been shown to work in U.S.-Russian programs and that might be applied in
other areas. The workshop was intended to facilitate frank discussion between individuals in the
United States and Russia who have some responsibility for cooperative nonproliferation programs in the hope of
identifying both the impediments to cooperation and potential methods of addressing them. This report summarizes
the discussions at the workshop.
Statistical Analysis of Massive Data Streams: Proceedings of a Workshop
(2004)
Committee on Applied and Theoretical Statistics, National Research Council
Massive data streams large quantities of data that arrive continuously are becoming increasingly
commonplace in many areas of science and technology. Consequently development of
analytical methods for such streams is of growing importance. To address this issue, the
National Security Agency asked the NRC to hold a workshop to explore methods for analysis of
streams of data so as to stimulate progress in the field. This report presents the results of that
workshop. It provides presentations that focused on five different research areas where massive data streams are
present: atmospheric and meteorological data; high-energy physics; integrated data systems; network traffic; and
mining commercial data streams. The goals of the report are to improve communication among researchers in the
field and to increase relevant statistical science activity.
University Research Centers of Excellence for Homeland Security: A
Summary Report of a Workshop (2004)
Alan Shaw, National Research Council
In establishing the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), the Administration and Congress
determined that science and technology should play a key role in the nation s efforts to counter
terrorism. Congress included an S&T directorate prominently in the DHS. Within that directorate,
is the Office of University Programs, which is responsible for sponsoring a number of homeland
security centers of excellence in the nation s universities. These centers are to work on a
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Key Hazards and Security Products of The National Academies—www.TRB.org/NASecurityProducts (November 27, 2012)
spectrum of short- and long-range R&D and carry out crosscutting, multidisciplinary work on a variety of threats. To
assist it in planning for these centers, TSA asked the NRC to hold a workshop to generate a broad range of ideas
to draw on to help define the centers. This report presents the results of that workshop including the major ideas
that emerged from the discussions.
Naval Forces’ Defense Capabilities Against Chemical and Biological
Warfare Threats (2004)
Committee for an Assessment of Naval Forces’ Defense Capabilities Against Chemical and Biological
Warfare Threats, National Research Council
U.S. naval forces must be prepared to respond to a broad array of threats. Of increasing
importance are chemical and biological warfare (CW and BW) threats. To help review its
preparedness, the Chief of Naval Operations asked the National Research Council to assess the
U.S. Navy’s defense capabilities against CW and BW threats. In particular to what extent are
capabilities being developed to enable naval forces to sense and analyze quickly the presence of
chemical and biological agents, withstand or avoid exposure to such agents, deal with
contamination under a broad spectrum of operational conditions, and over what period will these capabilities be
realized. To carry out this study, the National Research Council formed the Committee for an Assessment of Naval
Forces’ Defense Capabilities Against Chemical and Biological Warfare Threats. The Committee focused its efforts
on evaluating the current operational posture of naval forces with regard to defending against CW and BW threats
across all of its operations and on opportunities for improving those capabilities by operation and technical means.
Army Science and Technology for Homeland Security—Report 2: C4ISR
(2004)
Committee on Army Science and Technology for Homeland Defense -- C4ISR, National Research Council
Shortly after the events of September 11, 2001, the U.S. Army asked the National Research
Council (NRC) for a series of reports on how science and technology could assist the Army meet
its Homeland defense obligations. The first report, Science and Technology for Army Homeland
Security Report 1, presented a survey of a broad range of technologies and recommended
applying Future Force technologies to homeland security wherever possible. In particular, the
report noted that the Army should play a major role in providing emergency command, control,
communications, computers, intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (C4ISR) capabilities and that the
technology and architecture needed for homeland security C4ISR was compatible with that of the Army s Future
Force. This second report focuses on C4ISR and how it can facilitate the Army’s efforts to assist the Department of
Homeland Security (DHS) and emergency responders meet a catastrophic event.
An examination of the requirements for the emergency responder community caused the committee to conclude
that responders and Army forces share many common needs. Central to the Army’s Future Force is the concept of
network-centric warfare (NCW).
In addition to individual C4ISR technologies, the committee observes that the Army’s network-centric approach to
operations could serve emergency responders equally effectively. Such a system could produce significant
efficiencies in terms of sharing skills, knowledge, and scarce, high-value assets; building capacity and redundancy
in the national emergency response system; and gaining the synergy of providing a common operating picture to all
responders.
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Key Hazards and Security Products of The National Academies—www.TRB.org/NASecurityProducts (November 27, 2012)
The Mathematical Sciences' Role in Homeland Security: Proceedings of
a Workshop (2004)
Board on Mathematical Sciences and Their Applications
On April 26-27, 2002, the Board on Mathematical Sciences and Their Applications (BMSA) of
the National Research Council organized a workshop on the role of the mathematical
sciences in homeland security. The workshop was developed to illustrate contributions of
mathematical sciences research to important areas of homeland security. The workshop drew
over 100 researchers and focused on five major areas of research: data mining, detection and
epidemiology of bioterrorist attacks, image analysis and voice recognition, communications
and computer security, and data fusion.
The goal of this CD report is to help mathematical scientists and policy makers understand the connections
between lines of research and important problems of national security. Included in this report are video
presentations from most of the speakers at the workshop, as well as transcripts and summaries of the
presentations, and any presentations materials used, such as power point slides. The presentations represent
independent research efforts from academia, the private sector, and government agencies, and as such they
provide a sampling rather than a complete examination of the interface between the mathematical sciences and the
complex challenge of homeland security.
Each presenter identified numerous avenues of mathematical sciences research necessary for progress in
homeland security. By design, none of the presentations provides a broad outline connecting the five major areas
of research. However, common threads did emerge, such as the need for non-parametric methods, data
visualization, understanding verification and validation of models and simulations, the need to deal with highdimensional data and models, and the value of basing actions on sound mathematical analyses. This proceedings
represents the viewpoints of its authors only and should not be taken as a consensus report of the BMSA or of the
National Research Council.
Marine Salvage Capabilities: Responding to Terrorist Attacks in U.S. Ports-Actions to Improve Readiness (2004)
7/6/2004
TRB Conference Proceedings 30: Marine Salvage Capabilities: Responding to Terrorist Attacks in
U.S. Ports—Actions to Improve Readiness is the report of the TRB Marine Board Workshop on
Marine Salvage Response Capability held on August 5-6, 2003, in Washington, DC. The
workshop addressed economic, legal, forensic, environmental, and human casualty issues
related to salvage. The report contains a summary of workshop discussions and committee
recommendations highlighting important topics and issues associated with marine salvage that warrant further,
more detailed inquiry by the responsible federal agencies. [More]
Forensic Analysis: Weighing Bullet Lead Evidence (2004)
Committee on Scientific Assessment of Bullet Lead Elemental Composition Comparison,
National Research Council
Since the 1960s, testimony by representatives of the Federal Bureau of Investigation in
thousands of criminal cases has relied on evidence from Compositional Analysis of Bullet Lead
(CABL), a forensic technique that compares the elemental composition of bullets found at a
crime scene to the elemental composition of bullets found in a suspect s possession. Different
from ballistics techniques that compare striations on the barrel of a gun to those on a recovered
bullet, CABL is used when no gun is recovered or when bullets are too small or mangled to
observe striations. Forensic Analysis: Weighing Bullet Lead Evidence assesses the scientific
validity of CABL, finding that the FBI should use a different statistical analysis for the technique and that, given
variations in bullet manufacturing processes, expert witnesses should make clear the very limited conclusions that
CABL results can support. The report also recommends that the FBI take additional measures to ensure the validity
of CABL results, which include improving documentation, publishing details, and improving on training and
oversight.
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Key Hazards and Security Products of The National Academies—www.TRB.org/NASecurityProducts (November 27, 2012)
Existing and Potential Standoff Explosives Detection Techniques (2004)
Committee on the Review of Existing and Potential Standoff Explosives Detection Techniques, National
Research Council
The ability to explosives at a standoff distance, for instance in cases involving suicide bombers
on foot or in a vehicle, is a daunting but vital need. This report examines existing and potential
technologies that offer new methods to detect explosives and/or image bombs at standoff
distances. The report identifies several promising methods for standoff explosives detection
including terahertz and microwave imaging and spectroscopy, and X-ray backscattering. It also
recommends detection by exploiting physiological changes to an individual carrying concealed
explosive.
Biotechnology Research in an Age of Terrorism (2004)
Committee on Research Standards and Practices to Prevent the Destructive Application of Biotechnology,
National Research Council
In recent years much has happened to justify an examination of biological research in light of
national security concerns. The destructive application of biotechnology research includes
activities such as spreading common pathogens or transforming them into even more lethal
forms. Policymakers and the scientific community at large must put forth a vigorous and
immediate response to this challenge. This new book by the National Research Council
recommends that the government expand existing regulations and rely on self-governance by
scientists rather than adopt intrusive new policies. One key recommendation of the report is that
the government should not attempt to regulate scientific publishing but should trust scientists and journals to screen
their papers for security risks, a task some journals have already taken up. With biological information and tools
widely distributed, regulating only U.S. researchers would have little effect. A new International Forum on
Biosecurity should encourage the adoption of similar measures around the world. Seven types of risky studies
would require approval by the Institutional Biosafety Committees that already oversee recombinant DNA research
at some 400 U.S. institutions. These experiments of concern include making an infectious agent more lethal and
rendering vaccines powerless.
Learning from SARS: Preparing for the Next Disease Outbreak (2004)
Stacey Knobler, Adel Mahmoud, Stanley Lemon, Alison Mack, Laura Sivitz, and Katherine Oberholtzer,
Editors, Forum on Microbial Threats
The emergence of severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) in late 2002 and 2003
challenged the global public health community to confront a novel epidemic that spread rapidly
from its origins in southern China until it had reached more than 25 other countries within a
matter of months. In addition to the number of patients infected with the SARS virus, the disease
had profound economic and political repercussions in many of the affected regions. Recent
reports of isolated new SARS cases and a fear that the disease could reemerge and spread
have put public health officials on high alert for any indications of possible new outbreaks. This
report examines the response to SARS by public health systems in individual countries, the biology of the SARS
coronavirus and related coronaviruses in animals, the economic and political fallout of the SARS epidemic,
quarantine law and other public health measures that apply to combating infectious diseases, and the role of
international organizations and scientific cooperation in halting the spread of SARS. The report provides an
illuminating survey of findings from the epidemic, along with an assessment of what might be needed in order to
contain any future outbreaks of SARS or other emerging infections.
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Seeking Security: Pathogens, Open Access, and Genome Databases
(2004)
Committee on Genomics Databases for Bioterrorism Threat Agents, National Research Council
Within the last 30 years, the genomes of thousands of organisms, from viruses, to bacteria, to
humans, have been sequenced or partially sequenced and deposited in databases freely
accessible to scientists around the world. This information is accelerating scientists' ability to
fight disease and make other medical advances, but policymakers must consider the possibility
that the information could also be used for destructive purposes in acts of bioterrorism or war.
Based in part on views from working biological scientists, the report concludes that current
policies that allow scientists and the public unrestricted access to genome data on microbial pathogens should not
be changed. Because access improves our ability to fight both bioterrorism and naturally occurring infectious
diseases, security against bioterrorism is better served by policies that facilitate, not limit, the free flow of this
information.
Terrorism: Reducing Vulnerabilities and Improving Responses: U.S Russian Workshop Proceedings (2004)
Committee on Counterterrorism Challenges for Russia and the United States
This book is devoted primarily to papers prepared by American and Russian specialists on cyber
terrorism and urban terrorism. It also includes papers on biological and radiological terrorism
from the American and Russian perspectives. Of particular interest are the discussions of the
hostage situation at Dubrovko in Moscow, the damage inflicted in New York during the attacks on
9/11, and Russian priorities in addressing cyber terrorism.
Science and Technology for Army Homeland Security: Report 1 (2003)
Committee on Army Science and Technology for Homeland Defense, National Research Council
The confluence of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attack and the U.S. Army s historic role to
support civil authorities has resulted in substantial new challenges for the Army. To help meet
these challenges, the Assistant Secretary of the Army for Research and Technology requested
the National Research Council (NRC) carry out a series of studies on how science and
technology could assist the Army prepare for its role in homeland security (HLS). The NRC s
Board on Army Science and Technology formed the Committee on Army Science and
Technology for Homeland Security to accomplish that assignment. The Committee was asked
to review relevant literature and activities, determine areas of emphasis for Army S&T in
support of counter terrorism and anti-terrorism, and recommend high-payoff technologies to help the Army fulfill its
mission. The Department of Defense Counter-Terrorism Technology Task Force identified four operational areas in
reviewing technical proposals for HLS operations: indications and warning; denial and survivability; recovery and
consequence management; and attribution and retaliation. The study sponsor asked the Committee to use these
four areas as the basis for its assessment of the science and technology (S&T) that will be important for the Army s
HLS role. Overall, the Committee found that: - There is potential for substantial synergy between S&T work carried
out by the Army for its HLS responsibilities and the development of the next generation Army, the Objective Force. The Army National Guard (ARNG) is critical to the success of the Army s HLS efforts.
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Information Technology for Counterterrorism: Immediate Actions and
Future Possibilities (2003)
John L. Hennessy, David A. Patterson, and Herbert S. Lin, Editors, Committee on the Role of Information
Technology in Responding to Terrorism, National Research Council
Information technology (IT) is essential to virtually all of the nation s critical infrastructures
making them vulnerable by a terrorist attack on their IT system. An attack could be on the
system itself or use the IT system to launch or exacerbate another type of attack. IT can also be
used as a counterterrorism tool. The report concludes that the most devastating consequences
of a terrorist attack would occur if it were on or used IT as part of a broader attack. The report
presents two recommendations on what can be done in the short term to protect the nation s communications and
information systems and several recommendations about what can be done over the longer term. The report also
notes the importance of considering how an IT system will be deployed to maximize protection against and
usefulness in responding to attacks.
Critical Information Infrastructure Protection and the Law: An Overview of
Key Issues (2003)
Stewart D. Personick and Cynthia A. Patterson, Editors, Committee on Critical Information Infrastructure
Protection and the Law, National Research Council
All critical infrastructures are increasingly dependent on the information infrastructure for
information management, communications, and control functions. Protection of the critical
information infrastructure (CIIP), therefore, is of prime concern. To help with this step, the
National Academy of Engineering asked the NRC to assess the various legal issues associated
with CIIP. These issues include incentives and disincentives for information sharing between
the public and private sectors, and the role of FOIA and antitrust laws as a barrier or facilitator
to progress. The report also provides a preliminary analysis of the role of criminal law, liability law, and the
establishment of best practices, in encouraging various stakeholders to secure their computer systems and
networks.
Testing and Evaluation of Standoff Chemical Agent Detectors (2003)
Committee on Testing and Evaluation of Standoff Chemical Agent Detectors, National Research Council
The report provides an independent assessment of suitable test protocols that might be useful
and reliable for the testing and evaluation of standoff chemical agent detectors. The report
proposes two testing protocols, one for passive detectors and one for active detectors, to help
ensure the reliable detection of a release of chemical warfare agents. The report determined
that testing these detectors by release of chemical warfare agents into the atmosphere would
not provide additional useful information on the effectiveness of these detectors than would a
rigorous testing protocol using chemical agents in the laboratory combined with atmospheric release of simulated
chemical warfare agents.
Microbial Threats to Health: Emergence, Detection, and Response (2003)
Mark S. Smolinski, Margaret A. Hamburg, and Joshua Lederberg, Editors, Committee on Emerging Microbial Threats to
Health in the 21st Century
Infectious diseases are a global hazard that puts every nation and every person at risk. The
recent SARS outbreak is a prime example. Knowing neither geographic nor political borders,
often arriving silently and lethally, microbial pathogens constitute a grave threat to the health of
humans. Indeed, a majority of countries recently identified the spread of infectious disease as
the greatest global problem they confront. Throughout history, humans have struggled to control
both the causes and consequences of infectious diseases and we will continue to do so into the
foreseeable future.
Following up on a high-profile 1992 report from the Institute of Medicine, Microbial Threats to Health examines the
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Key Hazards and Security Products of The National Academies—www.TRB.org/NASecurityProducts (November 27, 2012)
current state of knowledge and policy pertaining to emerging and re-emerging infectious diseases from around the
globe. It examines the spectrum of microbial threats, factors in disease emergence, and the ultimate capacity of the
United States to meet the challenges posed by microbial threats to human health. From the impact of war or
technology on disease emergence to the development of enhanced disease surveillance and vaccine strategies,
Microbial Threats to Health contains valuable information for researchers, students, health care providers,
policymakers, public health officials, and the interested public.
Scientific Criteria to Ensure Safe Food (2003)
Committee on the Review of the Use of Scientific Criteria and Performance Standards for Safe Food,
National Research Council
Food safety regulators face a daunting task: crafting food safety performance standards and
systems that continue in the tradition of using the best available science to protect the health of
the American public, while working within an increasingly antiquated and fragmented regulatory
framework. Current food safety standards have been set over a period of years and under
diverse circumstances, based on a host of scientific, legal, and practical constraints.
Scientific Criteria to Ensure Safe Food lays the groundwork for creating new regulations that are
consistent, reliable, and ensure the best protection for the health of American consumers. This book addresses the
biggest concerns in food safety including microbial disease surveillance plans, tools for establishing food safety
criteria, and issues specific to meat, dairy, poultry, seafood, and produce. It provides a candid analysis of the
problems with the current system, and outlines the major components of the task at hand: creating workable,
streamlined food safety standards and practices.
Cybersecurity of Freight Information Systems: A Scoping Study (2003)
6/10/2003
TRB Special Report 274 - Cybersecurity of Freight Information Systems: A Scoping Study
reviews trends in the use of information technology in the freight transportation industry and
assesses potential vulnerabilities to a cyberattack. [More]
Tracking and Predicting the Atmospheric Dispersion of Hazardous Material
Releases (2003)
6/4/2003
A new report from the National Academies' Board on Atmospheric Sciences and Climate
examines ways in which scientists can help emergency personnel respond to a chemical,
biological, or nuclear attack by tracking the resulting hazardous plume, and aiding in rescue and
evacuation efforts. [More]
Preparing for the Psychological Consequences of Terrorism: A Public
Health Strategy (2003)
Committee on Responding to the Psychological Consequences of Terrorism, Adrienne Stith Butler, Allison
M. Panzer, Lewis R. Goldfrank, Editors
The Oklahoma City bombing, intentional crashing of airliners on September 11, 2001, and
anthrax attacks in the fall of 2001 have made Americans acutely aware of the impacts of
terrorism. These events and continued threats of terrorism have raised questions about the
impact on the psychological health of the nation and how well the public health infrastructure is
able to meet the psychological needs that will likely result.
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In this report, Preparing for the Psychological Consequences of Terrorism: A Public Health Strategy, an IOM
committee highlights some of the critical issues in responding to the psychological effects of terrorism and provides
possible options for intervention. The committee offers an example for a public health strategy that may serve as a
base from which plans to prevent and respond to the psychological consequences of a variety of terrorism events
can be formulated. The report includes recommendations for training and education of service providers, ensuring
appropriate guidelines for the protection of service providers, and developing public health surveillance for preevent, event, and post-event factors leading to psychological consequences.
A Review of the EPA Water Security Research and Technical Support
Action Plan: Parts I and II (2003)
Panel on Water System Security Research, National Research Council
The report examines a draft plan, prepared by the Environmental Protection Agency, that
identifies critical security issues for drinking water and wastewater and outlines related research
and technical support needs. This report recommends increased attention to interagency
coordination and encourages additional consideration of current restrictions on secure information
dissemination. It further suggests that EPA incorporate the results of their research activities into
an integrated water security guidance document to improve support for water and wastewater
utilities.
High-Impact Terrorism: Proceedings of a Russian-American Workshop
(2002)
Development, Security and Cooperation, National Research Council
In June 2001 the National Academies and the Russian Academy of Sciences held a bilateral
workshop in Moscow on terrorism in a high--technology society and modern methods to prevent
and respond to it. The purpose of the workshop was to begin a dialogue on high--impact
terrorism that could lead to further U.S.--Russian collaboration. This volume includes papers
presented at the workshop by 31 Russian and American experts on various types of high-impact
terrorism, including biological and agricultural terrorism, nuclear and electromagnetic terrorism,
explosives, chemical, and technological terrorism, and cyber terrorism. The papers also address legal issues,
Russian internal affairs, and the future of international cooperation in this area.
Technical Issues Related to the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty
(2002)
Committee on International Security and Arms Control, National Academy of Sciences
Drawing upon the considerable existing body of technical material related to the Comprehensive
Test Ban Treaty, the National Academy of Sciences reviewed and assessed the key technical
issues that arose during the Senate debate over treaty ratification. In particular, these include:
(1) the capacity of the United States to maintain confidence in the safety and reliability of its
nuclear stockpile in the absence of nuclear testing; (2) the nuclear-test detection capabilities of
the international monitoring system (with and without augmentation by national systems and instrumentation in use
for scientific purposes, and taking into account the possibilities for decoupling nuclear explosions from surrounding
geologic media); and (3) the additions to their nuclear-weapons capabilities that other countries could achieve
through nuclear testing at yield levels that might escape detection, and the effect of such additions on the security
of the United States.
An Assessment of Non-Lethal Weapons Science and Technology (2002)
Committee for an Assessment of Non-Lethal Weapons Science and Technology, National Research Council
Recognizing the value of non-lethal weapons in a variety of military operations, such as urban peacekeeping
efforts, counterterrorism and force protection, the U.S. Department of Defense created the Joint Non-Lethal
Weapons Directorate under the purview of the U.S. Marine Corps as the result of the National Defense
Authorization Act of 1996. The investment in non-lethal weapons science and technology (S&T) by this directorate
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and the Department of the Navy was modest, especially prior to the bombing of the USS Cole in
October 2000. The National Research Council conducted the study sponsored by the Joint
Non-Lethal Weapons Directorate and the Office of Naval Research to review previous, current,
and planned non-lethal weapons S&T programs and developments. The lack of new ideas
developed cooperatively between the directorate and the military services S&T programs was
one of the obstacles. Due to its high visibility and small budget, the directorate had been forced
to focus too much on relatively mature technologies while investing little in developing new
capabilities. The process for introducing non-lethal weapons into the development and
acquisition cycle for each of the military services needed to be improved. Most important was
the greater emphasis on understanding the effects of non-lethal weapons on intended targets
and whether those effects were effective for military operations and within the bounds of treaty
constraints.
Preparing for Terrorism: Tools for Evaluating the Metropolitan Medical
Response System Program (2002)
Frederick J. Manning and Lewis Goldfrank, Editors, Committee on Evaluation of the Metropolitan Medical
Response System Program, Board on Health Sciences Policy
The Metropolitan Medical Response System (MMRS) program of the U.S. Department of Health
and Human Services (DHHS) provides funds to major U.S. cities to help them develop plans for
coping with the health and medical consequences of a terrorist attack with chemical, biological,
or radiological (CBR) agents. DHHS asked the Institute of Medicine to assist in assessing the
effectiveness of the MMRS program by developing appropriate evaluation methods, tools, and
processes to assess both its own management of the program and local preparedness in the cities that have
participated in the program.
This report provides the managers of the MMRS program and others concerned about local capabilities to cope
with CBR terrorism with three evaluation tools and a three-part assessment method. The tools provided are a
questionnaire survey eliciting feedback about the management of the MMRS program, a table of preparedness
indicators for 23 essential response capabilities, and a set of three scenarios and related questions for group
discussion. The assessment method described integrates document inspection, a site visit by a team of expert peer
reviewers, and observations at community exercises and drills.
Biological Threats and Terrorism: Assessing the Science and Response
Capabilities: Workshop Summary (2002)
Stacey L. Knobler, Adel A.F. Mahmoud, and Leslie A. Pray, Editors, Forum on Emerging Infections, Board
on Global Health
In the wake of September 11th and recent anthrax events, our nation s bioterrorism response
capability has become an imminent priority for policymakers, researchers, public health officials,
academia, and the private sector. In a three-day workshop, convened by the Institute of
Medicine s Forum on Emerging Infections, experts from each of these communities came
together to identify, clarify, and prioritize the next steps that need to be taken in order to prepare
and strengthen bioterrorism response capabilities. From the discussions, it became clear that of
utmost urgency is the need to cast the issue of a response in an appropriate framework in order to attract the
attention of Congress and the public in order to garner sufficient and sustainable support for such initiatives. No
matter how the issue is cast, numerous workshop participants agreed that there are many gaps in the public health
infrastructure and countermeasure capabilities that must be prioritized and addressed in order to assure a rapid
and effective response to another bioterrorist attack.
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Key Hazards and Security Products of The National Academies—www.TRB.org/NASecurityProducts (November 27, 2012)
The Internet Under Crisis Conditions: Learning from September 11 (2002)
Committee on the Internet Under Crisis Conditions: Learning from the Impact of September 11, National
Research Council
This report presents findings of a workshop featuring representatives of Internet Service
Providers and others with access to data and insights about how the Internet performed on and
immediately after the September 11 attacks. People who design and operate networks were
asked to share data and their own preliminary analyses among participants in a closed
workshop. They and networking researchers evaluated these inputs to synthesize lessons
learned and derive suggestions for improvements in technology, procedures, and, as
appropriate, policy.
New Deterrence Approach Needed to Discourage Terrorism (2002)
8/29/2002
Fighting terrorism requires both traditional deterrence strategies and brand new initiatives, such
as working more closely with other countries and third parties able to communicate more
effectively with terrorists, says a new report from the National Academies' Center for Social and
Economic Studies. [More]
Countering Agricultural Bioterrorism (2002)
Committee on Biological Threats to Agricultural Plants and Animals, National Research Council
Public confidence in the security of the US food and fiber system has been sustained by the
quality, variety, abundance, and affordability of agricultural products in the United States.
Although the system in place to defend against unintentional threats to agriculture has
weaknesses and needs, the demonstrated ability of the system to resolve, accommodate, or
manage critical food safety problems, temporary shortages of some commodities, plant and
animal infestations and diseases, and natural disasters indicates that, in general, such
confidence has been warranted. However, over the last several years, there has been
recognition of the possibility and consequences of intentional threats directed at US agriculture.
Such attacks could come from foreign or domestic terrorists and use biological, chemical, or radiological agents.
They could be directed at the pre harvest (live plant and live animal) or post harvest (processing and distribution)
stages of food and fiber production.
Countering Agricultural Bioterrorism assesses the vulnerability of US agriculture to intentional threats and
provides recommendations needed to strengthen and adapt the US system for defense against biological threats to
agriculture.
Deterrence, Protection, and Preparation: The New Transportation Security
Imperative (2002)
7/3/2002
TRB Special Report 270: Deterrence, Protection, and Preparation: The New Transportation
Security Imperative examines the role of science and technology in countering terrorism. It
presents advice on a strategic approach to transportation security that recognizes the need to
move people and goods efficiently and the need to improve security against terrorism. The report
emphasizes a systematic approach to security, building security into operations, and layering
security measures to deter--and to protect against--terrorist attack. [More]
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Making the Nation Safer: The Role of Science and Technology in
Countering Terrorism (2002)
6/26/2002
A National Academies report calls on the United States to take advantage of scientific and
engineering resources to detect, thwart, and respond to terrorist attacks more effectively. [More]
Summary -- Assessment of Technologies Deployed to Improve Aviation
Security: Second Report: Progress Toward Objectives (2002)
Committee on Assessment of Technologies Deployed to Improve Aviation Security, National Research
Council
his series of reports looks at technologies deployed by the FAA to improve aviation security.
The first report recommends a system-of-systems approach for passenger and cargo screening
combined with aircraft protection schemes, and suggests metrics to measure efficacy. The
second report analyzes progress toward these goals.
Summary -- Assessment of the Practicality of Pulsed Fast Neutron
Analysis for Aviation Security (2002)
Panel on Assessment of the Practicality of Pulsed Fast Neutron Analysis for Aviation Security, National
Research Council
A major goal of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), and now the Transportation Security
Administration (TSA), is the development of technologies for detecting explosives and illegal
drugs in freight cargo and passenger luggage. One such technology is pulsed fast neutron
analysis (PFNA). This technology is based on detection of signature radiation (gamma rays)
induced in material scanned by a beam of neutrons. While PFNA may have the potential to meet TSA goals, it has
many limitations. Because of these issues, the government asked the National Research Council to evaluate the
potential of PFNA for airport use and compare it with current and future x-ray technology. The results of this survey
are presented in "Assessment of the Practicality of Pulsed Fast Neutron Analysis for Aviation Security.
A broad range of detection methods and test results are covered in this report. Tests conducted as of October 2000
showed that the PFNA system was unable to meet the stringent federal aviation requirements for explosive
detection in air cargo containers. PFNA systems did, however, demonstrate some superior characteristics
compared to existing x-ray systems in detecting explosives in cargo containers, though neither system performed
entirely satisfactorily. Substantial improvements are needed in the PFNA detection algorithms to allow it to meet
aviation
detection
standards
for
explosives
in
cargo
and
passenger
baggage.
The PFNA system currently requires a long scan time (an average of 90 minutes per container in the prototype
testing in October 2000), needs considerable radiation shielding, is significantly larger than current x-ray systems,
and has high implementation costs. These factors are likely to limit installation at airports, even if the detection
capability is improved. Nevertheless, because PFNA has the best potential of any known technology for detecting
explosives in cargo and luggage, this book discusses how continued research to improve detection capabilities and
system design can best be applied for the airport environment.
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Key Hazards and Security Products of The National Academies—www.TRB.org/NASecurityProducts (November 27, 2012)
Uninhabited Air Vehicles: Enabling Science for Military Systems (2000)
Committee on Materials, Structures, and Aeronautics for Advanced Uninhabited Air Vehicles, Commission
on Engineering and Technical Systems, National Research Council
U.S. Air Force (USAF) planners have envisioned that uninhabited air vehicles (UAVs), working
in concert with inhabited vehicles, will become an integral part of the future force structure.
Current plans are based on the premise that UAVs have the potential to augment, or even
replace, inhabited aircraft in a variety of missions. However, UAV technologies must be better
understood before they will be accepted as an alternative to inhabited aircraft on the battlefield.
The U.S. Air Force Office of Scientific Research (AFOSR) requested that the National Research
Council, through the National Materials Advisory Board and the Aeronautics and Space
Engineering Board, identify long-term research opportunities for supporting the development of technologies for
UAVs. The objectives of the study were to identify technological developments that would improve the performance
and reliability of generation-after-next UAVs at lower cost and to recommend areas of fundamental research in
materials, structures, and aeronautical technologies. The study focused on innovations in technology that would
leapfrog current technology development and would be ready for scaling-up in the post-2010 time frame (i.e., ready
for use on aircraft by 2025).
Risk Analysis and Uncertainty in Flood Damage Reduction Studies (2000)
Committee on Risk-Based Analysis for Flood Damage Reduction, Water Science and Technology Board,
National Research Council
Reducing flood damage is a complex task that requires multidisciplinary understanding of the
earth sciences and civil engineering. In addressing this task the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
employs its expertise in hydrology, hydraulics, and geotechnical and structural engineering.
Dams, levees, and other river-training works must be sized to local conditions; geotechnical
theories and applications help ensure that structures will safely withstand potential hydraulic and
seismic forces; and economic considerations must be balanced to ensure that reductions in flood
damages are proportionate with project costs and associated impacts on social, economic, and environmental
values.
Risk Analysis and Uncertainty in Flood Damage Reduction Studies reviews the Corps of Engineers' risk-based
techniques in its flood damage reduction studies and makes recommendations for improving these techniques.
Areas in which the Corps has made good progress are noted, and several steps that could improve the Corps' riskbased techniques in engineering and economics applications for flood damage reduction are identified. The report
also includes recommendations for improving the federal levee certification program, for broadening the scope of
flood damage reduction planning, and for improving communication of risk-based concepts.
Improving American River Flood Frequency Analyses (1999)
Committee on American River Flood Frequencies, National Research Council
Effective planning and design of flood risk management projects require accurate estimates of
flood risk. Such estimates allow a quantitative balancing of flood control efforts and the resultant
benefits, and also enhance the credibility of floodplain development restrictions. They allow
determination of the flows associated with specified exceedance probabilities, as well as the
expected benefits associated with alternative flood risk management proposals. These
considerations are critical for the American River, where billions of dollars of property are at risk
due to flooding.
If our 100-year flood estimate does indeed imply that floodprone areas of Sacramento along the American River
levees are not in the 100-year floodplain, it will be by the thinnest of margins. But because the uncertainties in this
estimate are so large, the evidence that these areas are not in the 100-year floodplain would be far from
compelling. In fact, there is about equal evidence that these areas belong or do not belong in the 100-year
regulatory floodplain. The worst consequence of falsely designating such floodprone areas to be in the regulatory
floodplain would be the requirement of building restrictions that in the future may prove to be unnecessary. The
worst consequence of falsely designating such floodprone areas to be out of the regulatory floodplain would be a
prolonged delay in solving acute flood problems, a delay that could have catastrophic results. Given the gross
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Key Hazards and Security Products of The National Academies—www.TRB.org/NASecurityProducts (November 27, 2012)
inequality of these two consequences, the committee strongly recommends that authorities carefully consider the
situation and the large uncertainties in the estimated 100-year floods, and attempt to develop a flood risk
management strategy that addresses the significant risk of flooding in Sacramento.
Assessment of Technologies Deployed to Improve Aviation Security: First
Report (1999)
Panel on Assessment of Technologies Deployed to Improve Aviation Security, Commission on Engineering
and Technical Systems, National Research Council
This report assesses the operational performance of explosives-detection equipment and
hardened unit-loading devices (HULDs) in airports and compares their operational performance
to their laboratory performance, with a focus on improving aviation security. As requested by
Congress, this report addresses (in part) the following issues:
1. Assess the weapons and explosive-detection technologies available at the time of the study that are capable of
being effectively deployed in commercial aviation.
2. Determine how the technologies referred to in paragraph (1) could be used more effectively to promote and
improve security at airport and aviation facilities and other secured areas.
3. Assess the cost and advisability of requiring hardened cargo containers to enhance aviation security and reduce
the required sensitivity of bomb-detection equipment.
4. On the basis of the assessments and determinations made under paragraphs (1), (2), and (3), identify the most
promising technologies for improving the efficiency and cost effectiveness of weapons and explosives detection.
This panel considers aviation security as a total system architecture and measures the effectiveness of deployment
on that basis.
The Practicality of Pulsed Fast Neutron Transmission Spectroscopy for
Aviation Security (1999)
Panel on Assessment of the Practicality of Pulsed Fast Neutron Transmission Spectroscopy for Aviation
Security, Commission on Engineering and Technical Systems, National Research Council
A major goal of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), and now the Transportation Security
Administration (TSA), is the development of technologies for detecting explosives and illegal
drugs in freight cargo and passenger luggage. One such technology is pulsed fast neutron
analysis (PFNA). This technology is based on detection of signature radiation (gamma rays)
induced in material scanned by a beam of neutrons. While PFNA may have the potential to meet TSA goals, it has
many limitations. Because of these issues, the government asked the National Research Council to evaluate the
potential of PFNA for airport use and compare it with current and future x-ray technology. The results of this survey
are presented in "Assessment of the Practicality of Pulsed Fast Neutron Analysis for Aviation Security.
A broad range of detection methods and test results are covered in this report. Tests conducted as of October 2000
showed that the PFNA system was unable to meet the stringent federal aviation requirements for explosive
detection in air cargo containers. PFNA systems did, however, demonstrate some superior characteristics
compared to existing x-ray systems in detecting explosives in cargo containers, though neither system performed
entirely satisfactorily. Substantial improvements are needed in the PFNA detection algorithms to allow it to meet
aviation detection standards for explosives in cargo and passenger baggage.
The PFNA system currently requires a long scan time (an average of 90 minutes per container in the prototype
testing in October 2000), needs considerable radiation shielding, is significantly larger than current x-ray systems,
and has high implementation costs. These factors are likely to limit installation at airports, even if the detection
capability is improved. Nevertheless, because PFNA has the best potential of any known technology for detecting
explosives in cargo and luggage, this book discusses how continued research to improve detection capabilities and
system design can best be applied for the airport environment.
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Key Hazards and Security Products of The National Academies—www.TRB.org/NASecurityProducts (November 27, 2012)
Information Technology Research for Crisis Management (1999)
Committee on Computing and Communications Research to Enable Better Use of Information Technology
in Government, Commission on Physical Sciences, Mathematics, and Applications, National Research
Council
This workshop summary was produced in the course of a broader study that is exploring how
information technology research can foster new and improved government services, operations,
and interactions with citizens. This workshop summary examines how this technology can
contribute to more-effective response and recovery efforts to crises such as natural disasters or
terrorist attacks, as well as to mitigation and preparedness in order to reduce the impact of
these events.
Ensuring Safe Food: From Production to Consumption (1998)
Committee to Ensure Safe Food from Production to Consumption, Institute of Medicine and National
Research Council
How safe is our food supply? Each year the media report what appears to be growing concern
related to illness caused by the food consumed by Americans. These food borne illnesses are
caused by pathogenic microorganisms, pesticide residues, and food additives. Recent actions
taken at the federal, state, and local levels in response to the increase in reported incidences of
food borne illnesses point to the need to evaluate the food safety system in the United States.
This book assesses the effectiveness of the current food safety system and provides
recommendations on changes needed to ensure an effective science-based food safety system.
Ensuring Safe Food discusses such important issues as:
What are the primary hazards associated with the food supply? What gaps exist in the current system for ensuring
a safe food supply? What effects do trends in food consumption have on food safety? What is the impact of food
preparation and handling practices in the home, in food services, or in production operations on the risk of food
borne illnesses? What organizational changes in responsibility or oversight could be made to increase the
effectiveness of the food safety system in the United States?
Current concerns associated with microbiological, chemical, and physical hazards in the food supply are discussed.
The book also considers how changes in technology and food processing might introduce new risks.
Recommendations are made on steps for developing a coordinated, unified system for food safety. The book also
highlights areas that need additional study. Ensuring Safe Food will be important for policymakers, food trade
professionals, food producers, food processors, food researchers, public health professionals, and consumers.
Configuration Management and Performance Verification of ExplosivesDetection Systems (1998)
Panel on Technical Regulation of Explosives Detection Systems, Commission on Engineering and
Technical Systems, National Research Council
This report assesses the configuration-management and performance-verification options for the
development and regulation of commercially available Explosive Detection Systems (EDS) and
other systems designed for detection of explosives. In particular, the panel authoring this report
(1) assessed the advantages and disadvantages of methods used for configuration
management and performance verification relative to the FAA's needs for explosives-detection equipment
regulation, (2) outlined a "quality management program" that the FAA can follow that includes configuration
management and performance verification and that will encourage commercial development and improvement of
explosives-detection equipment while ensuring that such systems are manufactured to meet FAA certification
requirements, and (3) outlined a performance-verification strategy that the FAA can follow to ensure that EDSs
continue to perform at certification specifications in the airport environment.
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Key Hazards and Security Products of The National Academies—www.TRB.org/NASecurityProducts (November 27, 2012)
Chemical and Biological Terrorism: Research and Development to
Improve Civilian Medical Response (1998)
Committee on R&D Needs for Improving Civilian Medical Response to Chemical and Biological Terrorism
Incidents, Institute of Medicine
The threat of domestic terrorism today looms larger than ever. Bombings at the World Trade
Center and Oklahoma City's Federal Building, as well as nerve gas attacks in Japan, have made
it tragically obvious that American civilians must be ready for terrorist attacks. What do we
need to know to help emergency and medical personnel prepare for these attacks?
Chemical and Biological Terrorism identifies the R&D efforts needed to implement
recommendations in key areas: pre-incident intelligence, detection and identification of chemical and biological
agents, protective clothing and equipment, early recognition that a population has been covertly exposed to a
pathogen, mass casualty decontamination and triage, use of vaccines and pharmaceuticals, and the psychological
effects of terror. Specific objectives for computer software development are also identified.
The book addresses the differences between a biological and chemical attack, the distinct challenges to the military
and civilian medical communities, and other broader issues. This book will be of critical interest to anyone involved
in civilian preparedness for terrorist attack: planners, administrators, responders, medical professionals, public
health and emergency personnel, and technology designers and engineers.
Aging of U.S. Air Force Aircraft: Final Report (1997)
Committee on Aging of U.S. Air Force Aircraft, Commission on Engineering and Technical Systems,
National Research Council
Many of the aircraft that form the backbone of the U.S. Air Force operational fleet are 25 years
old or older. A few of these will be replaced with new aircraft, but many are expected to remain
in service an additional 25 years or more. This book provides a strategy to address the technical
needs and priorities associated with the Air Force's aging airframe structures. It includes a
detailed summary of the structural status of the aging force, identification of key technical
issues, recommendations for near-term engineering and management actions, and prioritized
near-term and long-term research recommendations.
Aviation Fuels with Improved Fire Safety: A Proceedings (1997)
Committee on Aviation Fuels with Improved Fire Safety, Commission on Engineering and Technical
Systems, National Research Council
The reduction of the fire hazard of fuel is critical to improving survivability in impact-survivable
aircraft accidents. Despite current fire prevention and mitigation approaches, fuel flammability
can overwhelm post-crash fire scenarios. The Workshop on Aviation Fuels with Improved Fire
Safety was held November 19-20, 1996 to review the current state of development,
technological needs, and promising technology for the future development of aviation fuels that
are most resistant to ignition during a crash. This book contains a summary of workshop
discussions and 11 presented papers in the areas of fuel and additive technologies, aircraft fuel system
requirements, and the characterization of fuel fires.
Airline Passenger Security Screening: New Technologies and
Implementation Issues (1996)
Committee on Commercial Aviation Security, Panel on Passenger Screening, Commission on Engineering
and Technical Systems, National Research Council
This book addresses new technologies being considered by the Federal Aviation Administration
(FAA) for screening airport passengers for concealed weapons and explosives. The FAA is
supporting the development of promising new technologies that can reveal the presence not
only of metal-based weapons as with current screening technologies, but also detect plastic
explosives and other non-metallic threat materials and objects, and is concerned that these new technologies may
not be appropriate for use in airports for other than technical reasons. This book presents discussion of the health,
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Key Hazards and Security Products of The National Academies—www.TRB.org/NASecurityProducts (November 27, 2012)
legal, and public acceptance issues that are likely to be raised regarding implementation of improvements in the
current electromagnetic screening technologies, implementation of screening systems that detect traces of
explosive materials on passengers, and implementation of systems that generate images of passengers beneath
their clothes for analysis by human screeners.
New Materials for Next-Generation Commercial Transports (1996)
Committee on New Materials for Advanced Civil Aircraft, Commission on Engineering and Technical
Systems, National Research Council
The major objective of this book was to identify issues related to the introduction of new
materials and the effects that advanced materials will have on the durability and technical risk of
future civil aircraft throughout their service life. The committee investigated the new materials
and structural concepts that are likely to be incorporated into next generation commercial aircraft
and the factors influencing application decisions. Based on these predictions, the committee
attempted to identify the design, characterization, monitoring, and maintenance issues that are critical for the
introduction of advanced materials and structural concepts into future aircraft.
Fire- and Smoke-Resistant Interior Materials for Commercial Transport
Aircraft (1995)
Committee on Fire and Smoke Resistant Materials for Commercial Aircraft Interiors, Commission on
Engineering and Technical Systems, National Research Council
The two principal objectives of this book were (1) to identify promising materials technologies,
design issues (both overall and for individual components), and fire performance parameters
(both full scale and for individual components) that, if properly optimized, would lead to improved
fire and smoke resistance of materials and components used in aircraft interiors; and (2) to
identify long-range research directions that hold the most promise for producing predictive modeling capability, new
advanced materials, and the required product development to achieve totally fire-resistant interiors in future
aircrafts. The emphasis of the study is on long-term innovation leading to impacts on fire worthiness of aircraft
interiors ten to twenty years hence.
Improved Fire- and Smoke-Resistant Materials for Commercial Aircraft
Interiors: A Proceedings (1995)
Committee on Fire- and Smoke-Resistant Materials for Commercial Aircraft Interiors, Commission on
Engineering and Technical Systems, National Research Council
This book describes the Conference on Fire and Smoke-Resistant Materials held at the National
Academy of Sciences on November 8-10, 1994. The purpose of this conference was to identify
trends in aircraft fire safety and promising research directions for the Federal Aviation
Administration's program in smoke and fire resistant materials. This proceedings contains 15
papers presented by distinguished speakers and summaries of the workshop sessions concerning toxicity issues,
fire performance parameters, drivers for materials development, and new materials technology.
Detection of Explosives for Commercial Aviation Security (1993)
Committee on Commercial Aviation Security, Commission on Engineering and Technical Systems,
National Research Council
This book advises the Federal Aeronautics Administration (FAA) on the detection of small,
concealed explosives that a terrorist could plant surreptitiously on a commercial airplane. The
book identifies key issues for the FAA regarding explosive detection technology that can be
implemented in airport terminals. Recommendations are made in the areas of systems
engineering, testing, and technology development.
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Key Hazards and Security Products of The National Academies—www.TRB.org/NASecurityProducts (November 27, 2012)
Drought Management and Its Impact on Public Water Systems: Report on a
Colloquium Sponsored by the Water Science and Technology Board (1986)
Water Science and Technology Board, Commission on Physical Sciences, Mathematics, and Resources,
National Research Council
Based on a colloquium sponsored by the Water Science and Technology Board, this book
addresses the need for research toward the problems of water management during drought
episodes. It covers such topics as the causes and occurrence of drought, drought management
options, acceptable risks for public systems, and legal and institutional aspects of drought
management.
Copyright © 2012. National Academy of Sciences. All rights reserved.
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