Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear Consequence Management
EPA's Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear Consequence Management Advisory Division (CMAD) provides 24/7 scientific and technical expertise for all phases of consequence management, including sampling, decontamination, and clearance. CMAD provides tactical options for:
- screening;
- sampling;
- monitoring;
- decontamination;
- clearance; and
- waste management.
Toxicological/exposure assessment during the decontamination of buildings during an incident involving releases of radiological, biological, or chemical contaminants is also provided. In addition, CMAD maintains critical partnerships with EPA’s National Homeland Security Research Center and EPA’s special teams, as well as other federal and international partners.
General requests for CMAD support should be made to EPA’s Emergency Operations Center at 202-564-3850.
Response Equipment and Personnel
PHILIS
EPA's Portable High-throughput Integrated Laboratory Identification System (PHILIS) is a mobile laboratory for the on-site analysis of environmental samples contaminated with chemical warfare agents (CWAs) and toxic industrial compounds (TICs). PHILIS is part of the EPA’s evolving Environmental Response Laboratory Network. This mobile lab:
- reduces turn-around time for data;
- enhances on-site decisions;
- provides reliable on-site data for facility clearance decisions; and
- eliminates the need to ship/analyze samples off-site.
In addition, PHILIS may be used as a training platform for EPA’s proposed Laboratory Response Support Corps (LRSC), in CWA training exercises, once the LRSC is established. Capabilities include:
- National Environmental Laboratory Accreditation Conference certified for EPA Methods 8260/8270/8082A
- Configured to run EPA’s Selected Analytical Methods (SAM) methods currently under development for selected CWAs and their breakdown products
- Automated sample prep equipment, able to process a minimum of 150 samples/day total for fully staff 24 hour work cycle
- All mobile assets connected via wireless, encrypted LIMS
- Able to run four days before restocking/refueling required
- Road worthy within six hours of notification
- Set up and running within six hours of arrival on-site
- Compatible with EPA’s Scribe, Promium LIMS (via Tier 1 to 3 electronic data deliverables (EDD))
- PHILIS data will be compatible with EPA’s WebEDR
- Thru Scribe, compatible with BROOM (SNL) and VSP (PNNL)
- TIC/Superfund on site analysis
- Disaster response (natural/man-made)
To request PHILIS assistance, please call:
- EPA’s Emergency Operations Center at 202-564-3850; or
- the National Call Center at: 800-424-8802.
Environmental Response Laboratory Network and PHILIS Presentation
ASPECT (Airborne Spectral Photometric Environmental Collection Technology)
Based near Dallas, Texas, and able to deploy within one hour, ASPECT is the only airborne real-time chemical and radiological detection, infrared and photographic imagery platform in the U. S. ASPECT is available to assist local, national, and international agencies supporting hazardous substance response and radiological incidents.
To request ASPECT assistance, please call:
- EPA’s Emergency Operations Center at 202-564-3850; or
- the National Call Center at 800-424-8802.
CMAD Technical Personnel
The 16 member team is located in six geographic locations including Washington, D.C.; Erlanger, KY; Raleigh, NC; Edison, NJ; Boston, MA; and Kansas City, KS; and is available to respond and/or provide technical expertise 24/7/365. Most of the staff hold advanced degrees and are experts in the following areas: Biology, Toxicology, Health Physics, Chemistry, Engineering, Industrial Hygiene, HVAC Engineering, and Contracts/Grants Management.
Guidance and Other Documents
Subway Railcar Decontamination with Methyl Bromide
Methyl Bromide Field Operation Guidance (MB FOG) Report
EPA/CDC Interim Clearance Strategy for Environments Contaminated with Anthrax: EPA and the Center for Disease Control (CDC) have developed an interim clearance strategy to aid Incident Command/Unified Command (IC/UC) in clearing a building or an outdoor environment after an incident involving contamination with Bacillus anthracis (B. anthracis). The strategy is based on the best available science and most practical approach. It is intended for use by public health and environmental federal responders supporting the IC/UC responding to a B. anthracis incident.
Bio-response Operational Testing and Evaluation (BOTE)
The BOTE project brings EPA research and operational responders together to conduct a fully functional, realistic study and exercise on consequence management after a homeland security event. Through sample collection, analysis, and the decontamination of the 90,000 cubic foot facility, EPA and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) are better prepared for an actual incident. The agencies improved technical and scientific knowledge, as well as improved understanding of roles and responsibilities of each participant.
Operations (including Training/Exercises)
Equipment Module (EM)
EM is a national database of all EPA emergency response equipment, accessible via EPA’s Emergency Management and COOP Portal. It includes 13,600 pieces of equipment in 41 warehouses. CMAD provides training and support to regions & special teams and maintains the Help Desk (toll free number). Additional support for EM is provided via webinars, frequent questions and a Quick Start guide for the module.
Radiation Task Force Leader (RTFL) Training
The Radiation Task Force Leader (RTFL) Training is a 10-day radiation safety course for EPA Response Support Corps personnel who will augment the existing emergency response program personnel in a response to a major radiological contamination incident. Currently there are 50 trained task force leaders.
BioWatch
BioWatch is a national program sponsored by DHS and implemented at the local level with assistance from EPA, CDC, and FBI. Its primary function is to detect large-scale releases and alert the health care community, so they can recognize and treat resulting diseases more quickly. CMAD is the EPA lead for coordination of all BioWatch activities, working in close coordination with the EPA regions. Specifically, CMAD and the regions ensure execution of all activities including development and updates of sampling plans, provision of training and exercises, national guidance development, post-BAR sampling, and planning and operations for special events deployments.