A biological attack is the deliberate release of germs or other biological substances that can make you sick. Many agents must be inhaled, enter through a cut in the skin, or be eaten to make you sick. Some biological agents, such as anthrax, do not cause contagious diseases. Others, like the smallpox virus, can result in diseases you can catch from other people.

For information on biological preparedness, see the following OSHA Safety and Health Topics Pages:

• Biological Agents
• Bioterrorism 
• Foodborne Disease
• Legionnaires' Disease
• Mold
• Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS)
• Smallpox

• Anthrax. OSHA eTool.
  
• OSHA's Electronic Health & Safety Plan (eHASP) for Anthrax
• Lyme Disease Alert Fact Sheet [36 KB PDF^*, 2 pages].
• OSHA's Hazard Information Bulletin on Lyme Disease [66 KB PDF^*, 7 pages].
• Biological Threats. Ready America.

Accessibility Assistance: Contact the OSHA Directorate of Technical Support and Emergency Management at (202) 693-2300 for assistance accessing PDF materials.

^*These files are provided for downloading.