Citation

Beaton R, Murphy S. AAOHN J. 2002; 50(4): 182-189.

Affiliation

Department of Psychosocial and Community Health, University of Washington, School of Nursing, Seattle, WA, USA.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2002, American Association of Occupational Health Nurses, Publisher Healio)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

11979647

Abstract

1. Both biological and chemical weapons (BCW) could potentially be used in future terrorist attacks on U.S. workplaces and communities. 2. Threats of BCW terrorism may lead to anxiety, adverse health effects, and the exacerbation of psychiatric symptoms and syndromes in workers and managers. 3. Actual BCW attacks will likely cause both acute and chronic mental disorders in a significant number of surviving victims who may also be employees or employers. 4. Occupational health nurses can help prevent or remediate maladaptive psychological responses by educating themselves and their work forces, assisting in a risk assessment of the workplace, understanding disaster planning, and assisting management in policy formulation and psychosocial triage.

Language: en