Which of the following is a classic example of a biological agent?

Which of the following is a classic example of a biological agent?

• A. Phosgene
• B. Anthrax
• C. Lewisite
• D. V-agent

Answer: (B)

Biological agents are living organisms or toxins produced by living systems that can cause disease in people or animals. Anthrax fits this category because it’s caused by the bacterium Bacillus anthracis, which can form hardy spores and cause inhalational, cutaneous, or gastrointestinal illness. That makes it a classic example of a biological agent. The other options are chemical hazards: phosgene is a choking agent that damages the lungs, Lewisite is a blistering chemical, and V-agent refers to nerve agents. They act chemically rather than biologically, so they’re classified and treated as chemical hazards rather than biological ones.

Biological agents are living organisms or toxins produced by living systems that can cause disease in people or animals. Anthrax fits this category because it’s caused by the bacterium Bacillus anthracis, which can form hardy spores and cause inhalational, cutaneous, or gastrointestinal illness. That makes it a classic example of a biological agent.

The other options are chemical hazards: phosgene is a choking agent that damages the lungs, Lewisite is a blistering chemical, and V-agent refers to nerve agents. They act chemically rather than biologically, so they’re classified and treated as chemical hazards rather than biological ones.