STEM2020 - Environmental decontamination after CBRN events: Novel competences for healthcare professionals?

Unconventional weapons can involve the use of chemical and biological agents. Although the likelihood of suffering a chemical or biological attack is rare, recent attacks have highlighted the importance of preparedness to respond quickly to these events to protect humans. Decontamination after a chemical/biological incident is a particular concern for public health, as seen in the recent terrorist attack with the nerve agent novichok in Salisbury (England). Our international group has created an effective short training course for providing students with basic skills to respond to these events using novel guidance developed by Public Health England.