A separate category for biotoxins will be developed for the PEAC tool. They have been lumped together with the chemical warfare agents and not the biological warfare agent classification in the PEAC tool because they are chemicals and not microorganisms causing disease.

Biotoxins are toxic chemicals produced by plants, fungus, microorganisms, mollusks, and other life forms. Examples are ricin, saxitoxin, tetrodotoxin, etc. Some are listed under both biological warfare agent and chemical warfare agent. For example, botulinum toxin is listed under chemical warfare agent and botulism is listed under biological warfare agent. We will keep the old listings, but also add a a new category: Biotoxin or Biotoxin Warfare Agents.

The biotoxin categrory is not the only addition/change in the new PEAC update. Also updated will be the DOE TEEL listings, about 80 new radioactive isotopes including listings of daughter isotopes, about 150 new chemicals, the ability to model evaportating pools for about 150 additional chemicals, additional information on bioterrorism, protective clothing, respirators, and other details.