We have already mentioned that the concept of weapons of mass destruction tends to be replaced by that of weapons of mass disruption (NBC-NRBce). After a new study of the bibliography, it appears that biological weapons are evolving very rapidly with new technologies and in particular those allowing genome manipulation: these new data are shaking…
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When a CBRN event occurs and there are casualties, the problem of transporting victims arises. At the same time as first aid must be administered, care must take into account the fact that these victims can contaminate their surroundings and cause cross-contamination, the dramatic consequences of which could be measured during the sarin gas attack…
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A recent article shows us that American researchers are interested in the intestinal microbiome of war fighters in order to improve their performance on missions. Microbiomes et microbiota The microbiome is the place where a complex set of microorganisms called microbiota develops. In humans, microbiomes from the nose/mouth/throat, skin, lungs, digestive system and vagina are…
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What is the problem? How to evacuate a victim contaminated by a chemical in an absolute emergency? This question can be asked either in a military context when a group of combatants is under fire from conventional weapons and chemical agents (chemical warfare agents or ICTs), or in a civilian context in the case…
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Farmers are subject to particular health risks, the main ones being accidental risks (machines…), physical constraints (noise, vibrations…), plant protection products, respiratory problems, biological agents and psychosocial risks (suicide). The handling of chemicals by farmers is undoubtedly an important activity of their profession and we will be particularly interested in personal protective equipment to protect…
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The lead of Notre-Dame The fire of Notre-Dame de Paris on April 15, 2019 not only almost destroyed forever one of the most beautiful jewels of medieval Gothic art, but its consequences raise an important environmental problem: lead poisoning. The spire inaugurated in 1859 by Eugène Viollet-le-Duc was built of oak wood and contained 250…
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The main risks We have often talked on this blog about chemical events that have occurred accidentally or as a result of a terrorist attack Among these events, the sarin gas attack in the Tokyo metro is one of the most studied. The attack was carried out on 20 March 1995 and was initiated by…
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Recent discussions on social networks suggest that Lyme disease could be the result of a Pentagon experiment that turned out to be wrong! This is an opportunity for us to take an overview of this disease that still deeply divides the medical community. In a second step, we will try to show whether it can…
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In many situations, personnel may be in the presence of an unknown chemical substance. It may be a first responder on a mission during an intervention in a university chemistry laboratory (I have personally experienced such a situation!), a chemical waste manager who has just been informed of old full cans that have been dumped…
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Reading various articles about the development of chemical weapons by the German army, we can see that many German scientists, including 8 of them who have already been awarded or are about to receive a Nobel Prize, have participated in this work. But to what extent have they really been involved? Working on the biographies…
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