"WMD" - Weapons of Mass Destruction

NOTE (09/13/11): THIS PAGE CONTAINS OUTDATED INFORMATION. I am currently working on updating all other sections of this site and will update this section once all other updates have been completed.  

Weapons of Mass Destruction, also known as "WMD" for short, are improvised devices whose sole purpose is inflict mass casualties at targeted locations. WMD's include nuclear, chemical, and biological weapons that are capable of causing widespread damage or mass casualties and death. Radiological weapons are technically not considered a WMD but are included here anyway for your awareness. 

The resources below are divided into the following three categories:    

• Nuclear Weapons/Devices
• Chemical & Biological Weapons
• Radiological Weapons a.k.a "Dirty Bombs"

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A nuclear weapon is a device whose great explosive power derives from the release of nuclear energy and has the ability to cause deviating death and destruction. Easily the most powerful weapon on earth.  

• Introduction to Nuclear Weapons - Just what is says, an introduction.

• Nuclear Terrorism - How to Prevent It -  The Nuclear Control Institute, since its inception in 1981, has been analyzing the risks of nuclear terrorism and seeking to alert policymakers and the public to the danger.

• 11 Steps to Survival -  PDF document provided by the Canadian Emergency Measures Organization and the National Defense, this guide will show you what you need to know on how to survive a nuclear detonation. Covers effects of a nuclear explosions, fallout, damage, and more!

• United State Nuclear Forces Guide - Here you can learn all about nuclear weapons and more.

• National Strategy to Combat Weapons of Mass Destruction - Informative PDF document put out by the White House.

• Center for Non-Proliferation - The Center for Nonproliferation Studies (CNS) strives to combat the spread of weapons of mass destruction (WMD) by training the next generation of nonproliferation specialists and disseminating timely information and analysis.

Chemical weapons include sarin, ricin, mustard, cyanide, and other deadly gases and agents that can be used as weapons. Biological weapons include Plague, Anthrax, Botulin, Plague, Ebola, and other highly contagious deadly pathogens that can be used as a weapon. 

• Chemical & Biological Resource Page - Educational resource provided by the Center for Non-Proliferation. 

• Possessors of Chem-Bio Weapons - Index of countries who possess chemical and/or biological weapons. 

• Center the Study of Bioterrorism - Provided by the St. Louis University School of Public Health, this site offers extensive information on bioterrorism.

• JAMA Bioterrorism Page - JAMA (Journal of American Medical Association) provides many articles on biological agents.

• Biological Warfare: A Historical Perspective - An excellent article from JAMA.

• Chemical and Biological Arms Control Project - This site is provided by FAS (Federation of American Scientist) and contains extensive research on biological agents.

• Disease Outbreak News Page - This site by the WHO (World Health Organization) provides current news on disease outbreaks around the world.

• USAMRIID (US Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases) - based in Fort Detrick, Maryland, USAMRIID investigates naturally occurring infectious diseases that require special containment. 

• PBS Frontline - The Plaque War - Report on biological weapons threat and how the Soviet Union amassed arsenal of bio-weapons.  

• Bioterrorism Reference Page - This page provided by Google's Search Engine and provides an extensive listing of resources for more information on bioterrorism.

• The CDC Homepage - The Center for Disease Control's information page. Get facts, press releases, articles, and more.

• Countering Bioterrorism & Other Threats to the Food Supply 

• Communicable Disease Surveillance and Response (CSR)    

A radiological dispersal device (RDD), commonly referred to as a "dirty bomb", is a conventional explosive device containing radioactive materials. The conventional bomb is used as a means to spread radioactive contamination. It is not a nuclear bomb and does not involve a nuclear explosion. According to the NRC (Nuclear Regulatory Commission), any type of radioactive material could be used in a dirty bomb, but in general these devices would be unlikely to cause serious health effects beyond those caused by the detonation of conventional explosives. 

• Fact Sheet On Dirty Bombs - information provided by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC).

• Dirty Bombs: Response to A Threat - Covers radiological laden explosive devices.

• Radiological Weapons As Means Of Attack - Informative PDF Report.

• Medical Management of Radiological Casualties Handbook - 152 page PDF document provided by the Armed Forces Radiobiology Research Institute.

• Radiological Emergencies - information provided the CDC (Center for Disease Control).

Terrorism | "WMD" | Homeland Security 

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