Replies

Thanks for posting your question. As I stated in an earlier post, it has been some time since NBC school for me.

On the off chance you do become exposed to chemical agents, you might want to read up on some of the consequences of not treating promptly.

Information about "Treatment of Chemical Agent Casualties and Conventional Military Chemical Injuries" can be found in Field manual FM8-285
Look in http://www.vnh.org/FM8285/appendixd.html Appendix D which discusses "Individual Decontamination Procedures"

Also look in http://www.vnh.org/FM8285/appendixe.html
Appendix E
which discusses "Procedures for Administering the Nerve Agent Antidotes"

You may also be interested in reading up on some of the Chemical Warfare Agents, what the can do to you and what the Medical Treatment is:

Chemical-warfare agents are solids, liquids, and gasses that can have lethal effects on humans, animals, and plants. They have been categorized based on the way they impact the functioning of the body or the organ they attack.

I. NERVE AGENTS:

Cause damage to the nervous system (which controls body functioning), muscles, and various organs.

SARIN: is a colorless, odorless liquid that can be inhaled, absorbed through the skin, or swallowed.

Symptoms: can occur within a few minutes up to an hour. They can include blurred vision, nausea, vomiting, chest tightness, runny nose, convulsions, and death. Generally, the faster the onset of symptoms, the greater the amount of sarin was involved.

Medical Treatment: involves decontamination; drugs such as atropine, diazepam, pralidoxime chloride; ventilation for breathing; and additional supportive care.

All contaminated clothing should be removed, bagged, and properly sealed. Contaminated skin should be washed with large amounts of soap and water at least twice.

Secondary exposure can occur when sarin from contaminated clothes evaporates or comes in contact with skin.

SOMAN: is a colorless, tasteless liquid that dissolves in water. It can have a fruity odor. Soman that is released into the environment quickly evaporates, disperses, and breaks down. It can be inhaled, absorbed through the skin, or swallowed.

Symptoms: can occur within a few minutes up to an hour. They can include blurred vision, nausea, vomiting, chest tightness, runny nose, convulsions, and death. Generally, the faster the onset of symptoms, the greater the amount of soman was involved.

Medical Treatment: involves decontamination; drugs such as atropine, diazepam, pralidoxime chloride; ventilation for breathing; and additional supportive care.

All contaminated clothing should be removed, bagged, and properly sealed. Contaminated skin should be washed with large amounts of soap and water at least twice.

Secondary exposure can occur when soman from contaminated clothes evaporates or comes in contact with skin.

II. VESICANTS (BLISTER AGENTS):

Affect the eyes, lungs, and skin by causing inflammation, blisters, and destroying cell tissue. They also affect interior parts of the body. The vapors have a greater affect on moist areas of the body like the eyes. Breathing in the vapors can cause the lining of the lungs to swell and become filled with liquid. Death occurs from lack of oxygen. Vesicants can remain in the soil for many years.

MUSTARD GAS: gets its name from the brownish-yellow color, and its mustard/garlic odor. It varies in color and odor depending on its thickness. It can be inhaled, absorbed through the skin or eyes, or swallowed.

Symptoms: exposure to eyes and skin can produce redness and irritation leading to swelling and closure of the eye. Lung damage and other clinical effects can take from 4 to 24 hours to appear. Other symptoms include nasal irritation, sore throat, shortness of breath, and bone marrow damage.

Treatment: there is no specific antidote. However, antibiotics, cell replacement (for damaged skin), and treatment for lung and breathing problems are effective.

LEWISITE: is an oily liquid that can have a honey-like consistency. It varies in color and odor depending on its thickness. It can be inhaled, absorbed through the skin or eyes, or swallowed.

Symptoms: include immediate pain and irritation. The lesions from lewisite are deeper and more severe than in mustard gas. Lewisite effects the eyes, skin, lungs, and gastrointestinal (stomach & intestines) tract. It can also result in low blood pressure due to the loss of blood volume in veins and arteries.

Treatment: a specific antidote, British-Antilewisite (BAL) is available. It can be administered into the system as a heavy metal chelator (remover). BAL ointment can be used for skin and eye lesions after thorough decontamination.

III. BLOOD AGENTS:

Are compounds that affect the blood system’s ability to carry oxygen to cells or to transfer oxygen from the blood to cells. The lack of oxygen affects all body tissues, especially the central nervous system. Certain agents will also cause the lining of the lungs to swell and become filled with liquid.

Cyanide: is a colorless gas or liquid with an almond-like odor. It is one of the most lethal toxins. There are many forms, such as cyanide salts (either solids or dissolved in liquid) and cyanide gas.

Inhalation is the most hazardous form of exposure. However, liquid forms can be dangerous if absorbed through the skin, eyes, or if swallowed.

Symptoms: can be non-specific. Exposure to low, non-lethal doses can produce headache, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, and an increase in the breathing rate. Exposure to a high dose can cause rapid breathing, convulsions, and unconsciousness. Breathing stops 2-4 minutes after exposure and death occurs within 4 to 8 minutes.

Treatment: a cyanide antidote is available. Oxygen should be administered as soon as possible.

IV. CHOKING AGENTS:

Are compounds that cause the lungs to become filled with fluid. Death can result from lack of oxygen.

Phosgene: is a colorless gas with an odor of hay or grass. Its vapors can be lethal if inhaled.

Symptoms: include eye and airway irritation, difficulty breathing, coughing, wheezing, and eye tearing. Signs of severe respiratory poisoning may not appear for hours.

Treatment: no antidote is available. General medical support is recommended.

V. INCAPACITATING AGENTS:

Impair normal body functioning. Generally, they do not produce permanent or long lasting damage. The effects can last for a few hours or days.

They are hazardous primarily through inhalation, but can also produce mild effects on the skin and when swallowed. The effects can be seen immediately or can be delayed a few hours or days.

Symptoms vary depending on the agent, but can include restlessness, confusion, anxiety, trembling, hallucinations, mumbling, slurred speech, erratic behavior, and other abnormal behavior.

Antidotes vary depending upon the agent.

VI. TEAR AGENTS/EYE IRRITANTS:

Cause severe eye irritation and pain. They can also irritate the skin and cause a temporary burning or itching sensation. High amounts of tear agents can also cause difficulty breathing, nausea, and vomiting. They can be lethal in confined spaces with prolonged exposure.

Tear agents are irritating when inhaled or come in contact with the eyes, but they are basically non-toxic in low doses.

Victims will generally recover within 15 minutes after removal from the contaminated area.

Semper Fi