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HEPA/vaccine plan for indoor anthrax remediation
Lawrence M Wein1, Yifan Liu, Terrance J Leighton
1Stanford University, Stanford, California, USA.
Emerging Infectious Diseases
|February 12, 2005
Summary
A HEPA/vaccine plan offers faster indoor anthrax remediation than fumigation, requiring fewer cases and less sampling. This approach needs significant Hazmat worker surge capacity for rapid building recovery.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Science
- Public Health
- Mathematical Modeling
Background:
- Anthrax spore release poses significant public health risks.
- Indoor remediation strategies are critical for post-attack recovery.
- Previous remediation efforts, like fumigation, were lengthy and resource-intensive.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare the efficacy of two indoor anthrax remediation strategies.
- To model the impact of a HEPA/vaccine approach versus traditional fumigation.
- To inform public health preparedness for bioterrorism events.
Main Methods:
- Development of a mathematical model for comparing remediation strategies.
- Simulation of an outdoor release of 1.5 kg of anthrax spores in lower Manhattan.
- Evaluation of a HEPA/vaccine plan (HEPA vacuuming, air cleaners, vaccination) against a fumigation approach.
Main Results:
- The HEPA/vaccine strategy resulted in fewer anthrax cases among reoccupants.
- Recovery was significantly faster with the HEPA/vaccine approach compared to fumigation.
- Modest environmental sampling was sufficient for the HEPA/vaccine plan.
- A surge capacity of 10,000-20,000 Hazmat workers is needed for 6-12 month remediation.
Conclusions:
- The HEPA/vaccine approach is a more effective and rapid indoor remediation strategy for anthrax.
- Consideration should be given to voluntary self-service cleaning for lightly contaminated areas.
- Preparedness for potential terrorist attacks requires robust remediation plans and workforce surge capacity.