See what we’re reading this week at Global Biodefense on topics like sulphur mustard soil contamination, publisher’s dilemma on gain-of-function papers, the poor state of public health funding and more…
Mustard Gas Scare Hits Scottish RAF
A potentially unstable chemical weapon could be buried beneath an airbase that will shortly become home to more than 900 army personnel. RAF Kinloss in Moray is already the focus of an investigation into radioactive contamination, and a report has emerged suggesting the site could also be contaminated with mustard gas. The report states: “Sulphur mustard is not a persistent chemical and under most conditions will readily break down. Under damp conditions (such as within soil) the action of hydrolysis can form an unreactive protective barrier around globules of active sulphur mustard. These globules can exist within the soil matrix and any disturbance to such a soil may puncture the globule and release the active sulphur mustard.” The Guardian
Science Publishing and the Dual Use Dilemma
The studies that started the debate, submitted by Ron Fouchier of Erasmus MS and Yoshihiro Kawaoka of UW-Madison, were flagged by the journals Science and Nature as having the potential for “Dual Use” – research that can potentially be used for both legitimate or ill intended means – and were remanded by the journals to a US governmental biosecurity advisory board called the NSABB. The idea of redaction- trying to keep certain results secret by only sharing them with the “most qualified” scientists- presents editors of scientific journals with a genuine dilemma. PLOS Speaking of Medicine and Health
FDA Explains Ban on Korean Shellfish
FDA said all Korean certified shippers of molluscan shellfish were removed from the Interstate Certified Shellfish Shippers List (ICSSL), following an evaluation that determined “the Korean Shellfish Sanitation Program (KSSP) no longer meets the sanitation controls spelled out under the National Shellfish Sanitation Program.” FDA said its evaluation found significant problems with Korean shellfish growing areas, including the discharge of human fecal waste from nearby fish farms and commercial fishing and aquaculture vessels. Norovirus was detected in shellfish growing areas during the evaluation. Food Safety News
Laboratory Response Network – Partners in Preparedness
The LRN is a national security asset that, with its partners, will develop, maintain, and strengthen an integrated domestic and international network of laboratories to respond quickly to biological and chemical threats and other high-priority public health emergencies through training, rapid testing, timely notification, and secure messaging of laboratory results. In the years since its creation in 199, the LRN has played an instrumental role in improving domestic public health infrastructure by helping to boost laboratory capacity. Laboratories are better equipped, their staff levels are increasing, and they are employing advanced technologies. CDC
Curtailed Funds Continue to Hurt Local Public Health
Since 2008, local public health departments in the United States have lost nearly 40,000 employees, and the situation continues to deteriorate. One health official told NACCHO that “fiscal year 2013 is shaping up to be the worst fiscal year for us … We may have to reduce or eliminate certain programs, should the financial situation worsen.” Curtailed funding pushed health departments to eliminate more than 5,000 staff positions during the second half of 2011, more than triple the number they gained. Food Safety News