Chemical Agents Module 1

Transcription

1 1 2 - Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD) - Chemical Biological Conventional weapons (guns, explosives) Nuclear devices Radiation dispersal devices 3 1

2 - Chemical Agents - Nerve agents Poisons Vesicants Riot control agents Industrial chemicals (e.g. tear gas) 4 - Objectives - Discuss types of chemical weapons Describe their associated hazards Explain the potential severity of or outcome from their use Formulate a response and recovery plan 5 6 2

3 - Nerve Agents - Sarin (GB) Soman Tabun VX 7 -Sarin- Developed in 1938 in Germany as a pesticide Clear, colorless, odorless and tasteless liquid Evaporates to vapor (gas) 8 - Sarin Historical Use - Used in two terrorist attacks in Japan June people died 300 injured March people died 5,000 injured 9 3

4 - Exposure to Sarin - Airborne exposure Skin contact or eye contact Inhalation Clothing can release sarin for 30 minutes Soluble in water Poison water supplies Contaminate food 10 - Exposure to Sarin - Extent of poisoning Amount How Duration Symptoms appear Seconds after exposure to the vapor Minutes up to 18 hours after exposure to the liquid (continued) 11 - Sarin Toxicity - All nerve agents prevent proper functioning of the nervous system Sarin interferes with the transmission of nerve impulses Glands and muscles are constantly being stimulated Muscles fatigue and cannot sustain breathing function 12 4

5 - How Sarin Works - Sarin is volatile Liquid quickly evaporates Symptoms may occur seconds or hours after exposure Low or moderate dose may result in these characteristic symptoms Pinpoint pupils Eye pain with blurred vision Drooling Excessive sweating 13 - Sarin Immediate Symptoms - Runny nose and watery eyes Small, pinpoint pupils Eye pain and blurred vision Drooling and excessive sweating Cough Chest tightness Headache Rapid breathing Nausea, vomiting, Diarrhea and/or abdominal pain Increased urination Slow or fast heart rate Confusion Low or high blood Drowsiness pressure Weakness 14 - Immediate Symptoms - (continued) Small drop of sarin on skin Sweating Muscle twitching Moderately exposed usually recover Neurological problems do not continue more than 1 to 2 weeks 15 5

6 - Sarin Long-Term Health Effects - Exposure to large doses Loss of consciousness Convulsions Paralysis Respiratory failure possibly leading to death Severely exposed people are not likely to survive 16 - Protection From Exposure - Sarin release outdoors Move upwind or away from the area of release Go to the highest ground possible Sarin is heavier than air and will sink into low-lying areas Fresh air reduces possibility of death Sarin release indoors Get out of the building Shut down the ventilation system Set the ventilation to 100% exhaust 17 - Decontamination - Quickly take off exposed person s clothing Cut off clothing instead of pulling over the head Avoid touching any contaminated areas Seal clothing in a plastic bag Seal first plastic bag in a second bag Give bags to emergency personnel 18 6

7 - Decontamination - (continued) Wash victim s body with soap and water Eye contact Rinse the eyes for 10 to 15 minutes Remove and discard contact lens Decontaminate eyeglasses If ingested, do not induce vomiting or give fluids See medical attention ASAP Call Treatment for Exposure - Remove sarin from the body ASAP Provide hospital care Recovery possible with treatment Antidote Most useful if given ASAP For more info, see CDC Sarin Emergency Response Card

8 - Poisons - Depending on dosage, any chemical can be a poison Abrin (A-brin) Ricin (rye-sin) CDC can provide list of other chemical agents of terrorism 22 - What Is Abrin? - Natural poison Seeds of the rosary pea or jequirity pea Common to tropical areas Uses Herbal remedy Beaded jewelry Stable substance Abrin is similar to ricin 23 - Abrin History - Not used in any wars or terrorist attacks Potential medical uses Treatment to kill cancer cells 24 8

9 - Exposure to Abrin - Inhalation of mist or powder Skin absorption Ingestion Injected Abrin poisoning is not contagious 25 - Abrin Toxicity - Prevents the cells from making proteins Cells die Eventually death may occur Effects of abrin poisoning depend on: Concentration Route of exposure 26 - Inhalation Symptoms - Initial symptoms Occur within 8 hours Respiratory distress Fever, cough and nausea Subsequent symptoms Heavy sweating Fluid in the lungs (pulmonary edema) Low blood pressure Respiratory failure leading to death 27 9

10 - Skin and Eye Contact Symptoms - Abrin in the powder or mist form can cause: Red skin and eyes Pain 28 - Ingestion Symptoms - Initial symptoms Occur in less than 6 hours Can be delayed for 1 to 3 days Vomiting and diarrhea Severe dehydration Low blood pressure Hallucinations and seizures Blood in urine Liver, spleen and kidneys stop working Death 29 - Protection From Exposure - Abrin release outdoors Move away from the area Go up-wind and up-slope Abrin release indoors Evacuate the area Shelter in place Shut down the ventilation system Set the ventilation to 100% exhaust 30 10

11 - Decontamination - Quickly take off exposed person s clothing Cut off clothing instead of pulling over the head Avoid touching any contaminated areas Seal clothing in a plastic bag Seal first plastic bag in a second bag Give bags to emergency personnel 31 - Decontamination - (continued) Wash victim s body with soap and water Eye contact Rinse the eyes for 10 to 15 minutes Remove and discard contact lenses Decontaminate eyeglasses Seek medical attention ASAP Call For more info, see CDC Abrin Emergency Response Card 32 - Treatment - No antidote Avoid exposure If exposure cannot be avoided Get abrin off or out of the body ASAP Get victim supportive medical care Breathing assistance Intravenous fluids Stomach flushing Eye washes 33 11

12 -Review- Discuss types of chemical weapons Describe their associated hazards Explain the potential severity of or outcome from their use Formulate a response and recovery plan