Special Section Guest Editorial: Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Explosive Sensing

Although the use of poisons and lethal chemicals in warfare perhaps predates recorded history, this autumn marks the 100th anniversary of the use of industrialized chemical gases in World War I. Shortly following the introduction of xylyl bromide (T-Stoff) in 1914 as a lacrimating agent, the first large-scale attack with chlorine gas occurred 22 April 1915 at Ypres, Belgium. Since the advent of chemical weapons, the world has added biological, radiological, nuclear, and most recently explosive (CBRNE) hazards to the list of threats expected by military forces on the battlefield, as well as to civilians in the homeland.