DERA chemical and biological defence specialists based at Porton Down form the UK centre of excellence. The UK government abandoned the military programme for CBW in 1956 and since then the role of Porton Down has been entirely defensive, to save lives and maintain operational effectiveness. The CBW work at Porton Down is based on four main areas: hazard assessment; detection and identification; protection and de-contamination; and medical countermeasures. All advice on CB defence must be based on a sound appreciation of the characteristics of the materials that might be deployed by an aggressor, an analysis of how they might be used and the effects they might have on personnel and equipment. Over the past 40 years scientists at Porton Down have carried out work in these areas, so the history of knowledge held at Porton Down is extensive. Experts also advise the UN, specifically and recently in the UNSCOM capacity, in matters of proliferation.

Detection and identification
A key capability in effective protection is the timely detection and warning of a CB attack. The nature of the agent is identified so that appropriate countermeasures can be taken. Even after it has been used, many CBW agents linger and can act as a tool for area denial that will stop, or at least delay, any further activity.

Personnel can be physically protected either through individual protective equipment (IPE) or collectively. IPE via respiratory protection and protective clothing provides a barrier between the individual and the environment. Collective protection through the use of air filtration provides a toxic-free area and is incorporated into a range of equipment.

The fourth key capability is being able to increase the ability of the body to withstand CB agents and to treat those exposed to them. Although the aim is to prevent personnel from being exposed, this cannot be guaranteed in warfare so medical countermeasures are essential. DERA research includes biochemistry and inhalation toxicology; drug evaluation; vaccine research; physiology; human factors; and surgical and materials specialisation.

DERA Porton Down is the sole MoD facility for inhalation toxicology. The facility is staffed by registered toxicologists and provides vital data on the toxicity of gases, vapours and aerosols of all chemicals that may be of interest to the MoD and the civilian environment. Aerosol generation is also performed, and solid materials can be milled and dispersed from an appropriate generator; solutions or liquids can be generated from nebulisers. The facility is supported by qualified medical staff and pathologists with full facilities for histopathology, including light and electron microscopy. Analytical facilities are used for chemical assay and characterisation of materials where necessary.

Such capabilities call on facilities and services that are unique in the UK and occur rarely elsewhere in the world. These include biological containment suites for the safe research and handling of dangerous pathogens; full containment facilities for toxicological studies with aerosols and gases; an outdoor laboratory licensed for chemical trials; chemical laboratories for handling hazardous and super toxic chemicals; vapour and particulate filter testing and evaluation; ultra-trace analysis of organic materials in all media; and biological and chemical munitions disposal.

Dangerous pathogen research
Many of the guidelines for handling safe pathogens and genetically manipulated organisms were developed from work carried at DERA. A particular focus has been the study of airborne infections, work requiring the most stringent safety practices and procedures, and here DERA has pioneered new systems. Massive investment in a purpose-built containment building that will open later this year, will provide DERA with UK flagship pathogen-containment facilities equal to those found anywhere in the world. The building will contain suites of level-3 and level-4 category laboratories alongside level-2 and support labs. The category 3 and 4 labs will be operated in cabinet line or positive-pressure-suit modes, according to the work to be undertaken.

Industry and research institutions
As an MoD agency, DERA is the focus for developing and evaluating new technology for the nation's defence needs. DERA fulfils its role by acting with the armed forces and the UK defence industry that ultimately provides the equipment and materials, in an impartial capacity. DERA also applies its knowledge to provide solutions for civil and military customers throughout the world.

DERA has always worked closely with UK industry and with research institutions in the UK and overseas through inter-governmental collaborations. The benefits have included the provision of comprehensive CB defence advice to civil and military customers; ensuring that results of research go from concept to deployment in the shortest possible time; avoiding wasteful duplication of effort; and ensuring technical risk is closely managed.

Advice is also given on the management of chemical hazards to government and other agencies, including the Home Office, police forces and fire brigades. DERA handles over 20 per cent of the UK government's expenditure on R&D. The facilities recognises the need to work with industry and other research organisations to maximise the benefits to the nation as a whole.