The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine (NASEM) will appoint an ad hoc topical committee to address specific issues related to chemical terrorism threats. This committee will address the adequacy of strategies to prevent, counter, and respond to chemical terrorism, and identify technical, policy, and resource gaps with respect to:
- Identifying national and international chemical risks, and critical emerging threats
- Preventing state-sponsored and non-state actors from acquiring or misusing the technologies, materials, and critical expertise needed to carry out chemical attacks, including dual-use technologies, materials, and expertise
- Countering efforts by state-sponsored and non-state actors to carry out such attacks
- Responding to chemical terrorism incidents to attribute their origin and help manage their consequences
- budgets likely to be required to implement effectively such strategies
- Other important matters that are directly relevant to such strategies
NASEM will produce a consensus report and may produce additional products (such as proceedings of workshops) by mutual agreement with the sponsor. The consensus report will be unclassified with a classified annex.
The study will be carried out by a committee of approximately 12 volunteer experts in the fields of chemistry, chemical engineering, chemical security, forensic science, national security, and associated fields.
The National Academies are committed to enhancing diversity and inclusion in order to strengthen the quality of our work. Diverse perspectives contribute to finding innovative approaches and solutions to challenging issues. We encourage the nomination of volunteers who reflect the populations we serve and also welcome in particular nominations of candidates from underrepresented racial and ethnic groups, women, and early- and mid-career professionals.
NASEM invites interested parties to submit nominations for committee members or reviewers for this study by November 29, 2021.