(3) Aerosolized particles of 1 to 5 micron (μ) size carrying live agents are small and light. They require time after they are ingested to multiply enough to overcome the body's defenses. This incubation period may vary from hours to days or weeks depending on the type of organism. Thus, to be effective, a live agent attack would need to be launched well in advance of a tactical assault.
(4) These agents are sensitive to environmental conditions (for example humidity and sunlight). Many bacterial agents will not survive outside the host organism (human and animals).
(5) Live agents are not detectable by any of the five physical senses; usually the first indication of a biological attack is the ill personnel. The diseases caused by live agents may be difficult to control when the aerosol attack is directed against a large population. Some diseases may be transmitted from person-to-person after the initial attack; examples include plague, smallpox, and some viral hemorrhagic fevers.
(6) Because of their incubation period and life cycle, likely areas for live agent use are in the combat service support (CSS) area; but attacks in forward areas cannot be ruled out.
b. Spore Forming Biological Agents. Spore formers such as anthrax can survive for an extended time, even under very adverse environmental conditions (dry, extremes of temperatures, and flooding). Once inhaled, ingested, or injected into the human body, the spores germinate and produce the illness.
c. Toxins.
(1) Toxins are by-products (poisons) produced by plants, animals, or microorganisms. It is the poisons that harm man, not the organisms that make the toxins. In the past, the only way to deliver toxins on a large scale was by using the organism. With today's technology large quantities of many toxins can be produced; thus, they can be delivered without the accompanying organism.
(2) Toxins have several desirable traits. They are poisonous compounds that do not grow, reproduce, or die after they have been dispersed; they are more easily controlled than live organisms. Field monitors capable of providing prompt warning of a toxin attack are not available; therefore, personnel must learn to quickly recognize signs of attack, such as observing unexplained symptoms of victims. Toxins produce effects similar to those caused by chemical agents; however, the victims will not respond to the first-aid measures that work against chemical agents. Unlike live agents, mycotoxins (T2) can penetrate intact skin; other toxins cannot. Because the effects on the body are direct, the symptoms of an attack may appear very rapidly. The potency of most toxins is such that very small doses will cause injuries and/or death. Thus, their use by an enemy may be an alternative to chemical agents because it allows the use of fewer resources to cover the same or a larger area. Slight exposure at the edges of an attack area may produce severe symptoms or death from exposure to toxins because of their extreme toxicity. Lethal or injury downwind hazard zones for toxins may be far greater than those of CW agents.
A-9. Behavior of Biological Weapons
Biological agents can be disseminated in a spectrum of physical states. They may be living microorganisms or spore forms of the organism. See [Table A-11] for stability of various biological agents. They may be spread by—