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Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear Quick Reference Guides

Through the National Response Team, CBRN CMAD chairs workgroups made up of experts across the federal government to develop agent-specific chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear quick reference guides. These QRGs are intended for use by EPA or Coast Guard responders in the first 24-48 hours of the consequence management phase of a CBRN incident.

The QRGs generally include sections on:

  • Agent Characteristics,
  • Physical Properties,
  • Release Scenarios,
  • Health Effects,
  • Effect Levels,
  • Exposure Guidelines,
  • Personnel Safety,
  • Personnel Decontamination,
  • Field Detection,
  • Environmental Sampling,
  • Analysis,
  • Environmental Decontamination/Cleanup, and
  • Waste Management. 

The QRGs can be found on the NRT website or by clicking the links below.

Quick Reference Guides

​​Biological QRGs, including:

  • Bacterials:
    • Anthrax (Bacillus anthracis),
    • Plague (Yersinia pestis),
    • Brucellosis (Brucella),
    • Q-fever (Coxiella brunetii),
    • Glanders & Meliodosis (Burkolderia mallei & Burkholderia pseudomallei),
    • Tularemia (Francisella tularensis)
  • Virals:
    • Hemorrhagic Fever Viruses,
    • Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome (Hantavirus),
    • Smallpox (Orthopoxvirus),
    • Tick-Borne Encephalitis (Tick-Borne Encephalitis virus)
  • Biotoxins:
    • Ricin and Abrin (Ricinus communis and Abrus precatorius),
    • Botulism (Clostridium botulinum)

Chemical QRGs, including:

  • Nerve Agents:
    • Sarin (GB)
    • Tabun (GA)
    • Soman (GD)
    • Cyclosarin (GF)
    • VX
  • Blister/Vesicant Agents
    • Sulfur Mustard (HD)
    • Mustard-Lewisite Mixture (HL)
    • Lewisite (L)
  • Choking/Pulmonary, Lung Damaging Agents
    • Ammonia (NH3)
    • Chlorine Gas (CL)
    • Phosgene (CG)
  • Toxic Industrial Chemicals (TICs)
    • Arsine (SA)
    • Cyanide Salts
    • Hydrogen Cyanide (AC)
    • Hydrogen Sulfide (H2S)
    • Methyl isocyanate (MIC)
    • Tetramethylenedisulfotetramine (TETS)
  • Pesticide/Toxic Industrial Chemical/Chemical Threat Agents
    • Organothiophosphate (OTP) Pesticides (Parathion, Methyl Parathion, Disulfoton, Phorate, Chlorpyrifos, Malathion)
    • Phosphine (PH3)
  • Incapacitating Agents
    • Fentanyl

Radiological and Nuclear QRGs, including:

  • Improvised Nuclear Devices
  • Radiological Dispersion Devices

Emergency Response

  • Emergency Response at EPA
  • Current and Past Responses
  • Response Tools
  • Response Partners
  • Emergency Operations Center
  • Consequence Management Advisory Team
  • Emergency Management Highlights
Contact Us about Emergency Response
Contact Us to ask a question, provide feedback, or report a problem.
Last updated on September 11, 2024
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