Anthrax: A non-contagious potentially fatal disease caused by breathing, eating or absorbing through cuts in the skin bacteria known as Bacillus anthracis.

Biological Attack: The deliberate release of germs or other biological substances that can make you sick.

Chemical Attack: The deliberate release of a toxic gas, liquid or solid that can poison people and the environment.

"Dirty Bomb": The use of common explosives to spread radioactive materials over a targeted area. Also known as a radiation attack, a "dirty bomb" is not a nuclear blast, but rather an explosion with localized radioactive contamination.

Evacuation: The process of leaving a potentially dangerous area.

Mil: A mil is a measurement equal to 1/1000 of an inch. It does not refer to a millimeter, which is 1/1000 meter or .4 inch.

Nuclear Blast: An explosion with intense light and heat, a damaging pressure wave and widespread radioactive material that can contaminate the air, water and ground surfaces for miles around.

Potassium Iodide: Potassium Iodide has been approved by the FDA as a nonprescription drug for use as a "blocking agent" to prevent the human thyroid gland from absorbing radioactive iodine.

Radiation Threat: The use of common explosives to spread radioactive materials over a targeted area. Also known as a "dirty bomb," a radiation threat is not a nuclear blast, but rather an explosion with localized radioactive contamination.

"Shelter-in-Place": The process of staying where you are and taking shelter, rather than trying to evacuate.

Smallpox Virus: A serious, contagious, and sometimes fatal infectious disease. There is no specific treatment for smallpox disease, and the only prevention is vaccination. The name smallpox is derived from the Latin word for "spotted" and refers to the raised bumps that appear on the face and body of an infected person.

Syrup of Ipecac: A medicine used to induce vomiting in the case of accidental poisoning. Use syrup of Ipecac only under the instruction of poison control authorities because some poisons can cause more damage by being vomited.

Thyroid Gland: A butterfly shaped gland that lies across the base of the neck in front of the windpipe that produces thyroid hormone.