129
© Springer Nature B.V. 2020
G. Sindona et al. (eds.), Toxic Chemical and Biological Agents, NATO Science
for Peace and Security Series A: Chemistry and Biology,
https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-024-2041-8_8
Chapter 8
Risks and Consequences of Hazard Agents
to Human Health
Diana Coman Schmid
Abstract Human health, as a state of complete physical, mental and social wellbeing and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity, is under continuous threat
posed by various factors, among which the environment plays an instrumental role.
Biological, chemical and physical health hazard agents trigger adverse health effects
on human health. Notably, the adverse effects of biological health hazards (biohazards) on people is further dependent on both the proximal and on the worldwide
environment context, bringing the need of integrative, interdisciplinary and comprehensive approaches, such as One Health and Global Health, to provide sustainable
public health strategies. To fight antimicrobial resistance, recognized now as one of
the major public health threat, such integrative One and Global Health strategies
will be instrumental. Furthermore, because of their versatility, biohazards can be
weaponized for use in bioterrorism. In this context, critical and transparent risk
analysis is of utmost importance to provide informed support for delineating priorities and for defining opportunities for research, prevention, and policy. Finally, preparedness (commitment to implement and continuously monitor the International
Health Regulation, measures to foster research areas like biosurveillance and cyberbiosecurity) at global scale is paramount, as highlighted by the recent report of the
Global Preparedness Monitoring Board (September 2019).
Keywords Agent · Biohazard · Biosurveillance · Cyberbiosecurity · Bioterrorism ·
Human health · Machine learning · Risk
D. C. Schmid (*)
ETH Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
© Springer Nature B.V. 2020
G. Sindona et al. (eds.), Toxic Chemical and Biological Agents, NATO Science
for Peace and Security Series A: Chemistry and Biology,
https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-024-2041-8_8
Chapter 8
Risks and Consequences of Hazard Agents
to Human Health
Diana Coman Schmid
Abstract Human health, as a state of complete physical, mental and social wellbeing and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity, is under continuous threat
posed by various factors, among which the environment plays an instrumental role.
Biological, chemical and physical health hazard agents trigger adverse health effects
on human health. Notably, the adverse effects of biological health hazards (biohazards) on people is further dependent on both the proximal and on the worldwide
environment context, bringing the need of integrative, interdisciplinary and comprehensive approaches, such as One Health and Global Health, to provide sustainable
public health strategies. To fight antimicrobial resistance, recognized now as one of
the major public health threat, such integrative One and Global Health strategies
will be instrumental. Furthermore, because of their versatility, biohazards can be
weaponized for use in bioterrorism. In this context, critical and transparent risk
analysis is of utmost importance to provide informed support for delineating priorities and for defining opportunities for research, prevention, and policy. Finally, preparedness (commitment to implement and continuously monitor the International
Health Regulation, measures to foster research areas like biosurveillance and cyberbiosecurity) at global scale is paramount, as highlighted by the recent report of the
Global Preparedness Monitoring Board (September 2019).
Keywords Agent · Biohazard · Biosurveillance · Cyberbiosecurity · Bioterrorism ·
Human health · Machine learning · Risk
D. C. Schmid (*)
ETH Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland