Weapons Effects

Threats are considered from all natural and man-made sources including HEMP (High Altitude Electromagnetic Pulse) weapons. Nuclear, Chemical, and Biological Weapons delivered by air, projectile, land or water vehicle, or back-pack drop. Also considered are ground conflagrations, long-term power failures, sun bursts, pandemics, etc.
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Nuclear Weapons	Biological Weapons
Chemical Weapons	Hemp

NUCLEAR WEAPONS EFFECTS
These tables describe the effects of various nuclear blast sizes. All figures are for 15-mph winds. Thermal burns represent injuries to an unprotected person. The legend describes the data.
Nuclear Weapons Table
NEWSMAX - Nuclear Attack on Major City Probable

CHEMICAL WEAPONS EFFECTS
These tables describe the effects of various nuclear blast sizes. All figures are for 15-mph winds. Thermal burns represent injuries to an unprotected person. The legend describes the data.
Persistence is the length of time the chemical agents remain potent. Chemical agents are classified as persistent or nonpersistent. Nonpersistent agents would persist for a few minutes to a few hours. One nonpersistent agent is , which is lethal for only a few minutes and is used in United States chambers. Another nonpersistent agent is Sarin, which is one of the original developed in Germany in 1938. Sarin would persist on a battlefield for one to ten hours. Nonpersistent agents would be used against targets which are to be taken over and controlled very quickly.
Persistent agents would remain on the battlefield for up to a week. These agents would be used against targets not in the direct line of attack. Defense against this type of agent requires shielding for extended periods of time. Sulfur-mustard agents produced more casualties in World War I than any other single agent. It is not as toxic as nerve gas but presents a great danger on the battlefield because there is no antidote to counter the . For both chemical and biological agents, the factors affecting their length of persistence vary according to a number of factors. Wind causes the chemical agents to dissipate in the atmosphere if they are in gas or vapor form. Sunlight reduces the coverage of by as much as 60 percent because it causes chemical decomposition. This is why most chemical agents are dispersed at night. When the weather is cold, the chemical agents ability to spread out is greatly reduced. This, in turn, causes higher concentration in smaller areas. When the weather is warm, the chemical agents sink more to the ground, which makes inhalation less likely. Mustard gas will last up to 8 weeks in the winter and only approximately 7 days in the summer. Soldiers will also be wearing heavy clothing during winter, making skin agents the least effective. Moisture tends to wash the chemical agents away and this, in turn, can contaminate drinking water supplies. This condition of contaminated water only exists until the concentrations are diluted to nontoxic levels. When chemical agents come in contact with porous soil, the chemical agents are retained for a longer period of time. Nonporous soil cannot absorb as much of the chemical agents, and any moisture or rain tends to wash the chemical agents away. Chemical agents in gaseous form tend to follow the contour of the land and settle in the valleys. For this reason, a chemical agent may be released on a mountain above the enemy and allowed to flow down and settle towards the enemy in the valley or low area.

BIOLOGICAL WEAPONS EFFECTS
Biological weapons consist of pathogenic microbes such as bacteria, viruses, rickettsia, and others that are poisonous to people, animals, plants, and food supplies. These poisonous microbes can also be carried by insects, ticks, rodents, agricultural pests, and other biological agents. The difference between the chemical weapons and the biological weapons is that the chemical agents cause direct injury; the biological weapons cause disease, which results in injury.

H.E.M.P.
HIGH ALTITUDE ELECTROMAGNETIC PULSE
Electromagnetic Pulse (EMP) is an instantaneous, intense energy field that can overload or disrupt at a distance numerous electrical systems and high technology microcircuits, which are especially sensitive to power surges. A large scale EMP effect can be produced by a single nuclear explosion detonated high in the atmosphere. This method is referred to as High-Altitude EMP (HEMP). A similar, smaller-scale EMP effect can be created using non-nuclear devices with powerful batteries or reactive chemicals. This method is called High Power Microwave (HPM). Several nations, including reported sponsors of terrorism, may currently have a capability to use EMP as a weapon for cyber warfare or cyber terrorism to disrupt communications and other parts of the U.S. critical infrastructure. Also, some equipment and weapons used by the U.S. military may be vulnerable to the effects of EMP.

NEWS MAX - IRAN 08
CRS REPORT FOR CONGRESS 08