The report, "Public Health Laboratories: Unprepared and Overwhelmed" examines the capabilities of the nation's state and local public health laboratories. Together with hospitals and local health departments, public health labs serve as front-line defenders in the case of a terrorist attack.
The two-part report includes:
- a survey of state public health laboratory directors about their ability to respond to a hypothetical chemical weapon attack; and
- an evaluation of state laboratories' preparedness to respond to emergencies involving three industrial chemicals that could potentially be used as chemical terror agents.
Among its findings, the report identified the following gaps in preparedness among public health laboratories:
- Lack of clear direction and formal coordination among emergency responders;
- Lack of planning, protocols, and additional support needed in the event of emergencies;
- Lack of equipment and training required to safely handle and store samples of suspected biological or chemical agents;
- Lack of security and safeguards against exposure for laboratory personnel and emergency responders;
- Limited environmental testing capacity for chemical agents; and
- Minimal ability to test the public for exposure to chemicals.
"If we have to respond to a chemical terrorism event, it will be a train wreck," said Scott Becker, executive director of the Association of Public Health Laboratories. "We don't have a national plan, or testing methods, or a lead agency for many of the laboratory activities that will be needed when a crisis occurs."
TFAH suggests a "serious modernization" of our nation's public health laboratories, including upgrading communications, staffing, equipment and facilities, and making a commitment to increase and stabilize support at the state and federal levels.
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