Review of Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear (CBRN) Terminology in Technical Guide 316 (TG 316) and Allied Medical Publication 8(C) (AMedP-8(C))

Abstract : The implementation of Allied Medical Publication 8(C): NATO Planning Guide for the Estimation of CBRN Casualties (AMedP-8(C)) within the United States requires coordination and alignment with related guidance and doctrine within the Department of Defense (DOD). The Institute for Defense Analyses (IDA) was asked by the U.S. Army Office of the Surgeon General (OTSG) to compare the terminology used in AMedP-8(C) and Technical Guide 316: Microbial Risk Assessment for Aerosolized Microorganisms (TG 316) for consistency. AMedP-8(C) is a North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) standardization agreement (STANAG) that provides a methodology for estimating medical casualties at varying severity levels as a result of a chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear (CBRN) attack. Both methodologies can support medical and operational planning. The casualty estimates obtained through implementation of the AMedP-8(C) methodology can be used by several communities to aid in their planning efforts. The Biological Military Exposure Guidelines (BMEG) derived in TG 316 can be used by military health risk assessors, medical planners, operational planners, and defense system developers to characterize the health hazards and operational risks associated with exposure to bioaerosols. Although both methodologies ultimately aid in medical and operational planning, the two approaches may, in certain cases, result in different outcomes.