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You are here: Home / 13. Ems & Disaster / Chemical Weapons of Mass Destruction

Chemical Weapons of Mass Destruction

July 14, 2011 by CrashMaster

 

 

 

PPE if possibility of contamination

A-SCBA c TECP (Totally-encpasulated Chemical Protection) Suit

B-SCBA or SAR (supplied air respirator) and non-encapsulated chemical resistant suit

C-Skin protection of B c respirator

D-Universal Precautions

 

Liquid Exposure requires Decon, vapor does not.  Decon c water then soap then 0.5% hypochlorite solution, conveniently prepared by mixing 1 part 5% hypochlorite (household bleach) with 9 parts water.  Do not use hot water, aids in absorbtion

Nerve Agents

G Series for German

Tabun (GA)-13 hour aging

Sarin (GB)-5 hour aging, most volatile

Soman (GD)-2 minute aging

Cyclosarin (GF)

V Series

VX-most lethal, low volatility, very lipophilic.Oily liquid designed to remain on clothes and surfaces much longer than other agents.  48 hour aging

Binary-just means stored as 2 components to limit handling risk

GB2

VX2

 

All agents penetrate through skin and clothing, heavier than air

Liquid or Vapor Exposure

Liquid-sx in 30 minutes to 18 hours depending on degree of exposure

Vapor-sx in seconds to minutes

 

Resp-hypersecretion and in higher doses respiratory shutdown

CV-tachycardia or bradycardia depending on nicotinic or muscarinic predominance

CNS-decreased LOC and seizures

Musculoskeletal-weakness then fasiculations then paralysis

Ocular-tearing and in vapor exposure, miosis

Lab tests-Plasma and RBC cholinesterase (more specific), not great tests

Treatment

Atropine for muscarinic 2 mg IV/IM q 2-5 (will not need as high doses as organophosphates).  If severe sx make dose 5 mg

Oximes: 2-Pam 1-2 grams IV/IM Q hour (15-25 mg/kg in kids) administered slowly, will not work if aging has occurred

Mark I Kit-2 mg of Atropine and 600 mg of 2-Pam in autoinjectors.  Usually need 3 kits per person

If you need to intubate, do not use sux as will get prolonged paralysis

Blistering Agents

Mustards (HD)

Sulfur mustard penetrates into cells causing alkalation of DNA.  Effective in warm, moist tissues (regardless of covering by clothes, so suspect if blisters in groin or axilla)

Volatile at higher temps and most effective in vapor form

Sx 4-24 hours post exposure c bullae and especially ocular effects

If not deconed in 2 minutes post-exposure, irreversible binding.  Use water then soap then bleach solution

Lewisite (L)

Smells like geraniums

Immediate blisters

Lewisite shock from thirdspacing of fluids

Choking Agents

Cyanides

Incapacitating Agents

Lacrimating Agents

Vomitting Agents

Irritant Agents

Phosgene (CG)

Smells like freshly cut hay

Denser than air

Pulmonary toxicity prevails along c hemolysis

Decon, steroids, NAC

Chlorine

First eye and oropharynx symptoms (tearing, sore throat, runny nose) then pulmonary toxicity

Nebulized Bicarb (2.5 cc Syringe Bicarb diluted 1:1 with saline) and steroids

 

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