|
Table 5. Recognizing and Diagnosing Health
Effects of Chemical Terrorism |
|
Agent
Type |
Agent
Names |
Any
Unique
Characteristics |
Initial
Effects |
| Nerve |
- Cyclohexyl sarin
(GF)
- Sarin (GB)
- Soman (GD)
- Tabun (GA)
- VX |
- Miosis (pinpoint
pupils)
- Copious secretions
- Muscle twitching/ fasciculations |
- Miosis (pinpoint
pupils)
- Blurred/dim vision
- Headache
- Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea
- Copious secretions/sweating
- Muscle twitching/fasciculations
- Breathing difficulty
- Seizures |
| Asphyxiant/Blood |
- Arsine
- Cyanogen chloride
- Hydrogen cyanide |
- Possible cherry red skin
- Possible cyanosis
- Possible frostbite* |
- Confusion
- Nausea
- Patients may gasp for air, similar to asphyxiation but more abrupt
onset
- Seizures prior to death
|
| Choking/Pulmonary-damaging |
- Chlorine
- Hydrogen chloride
- Nitrogen oxides
- Phosgene |
- Chlorine is a greenish yellow
gas with pungent odor
- Phosgene gas smells like newly mown hay or grass
- Possible frostbite* |
- Eye and skin irritation
- Airway irritation
- Dyspnea, cough
- Sore throat
- Chest tightness |
| Blistering/Vesicant |
- Mustard/Sulfur mustard (HD,
H)
- Mustard gas (H)
- Nitrogen mustard (HN-1, HN-2,HN-3)
- Lewisite (L)
- Phosgene oxime (CX) |
- Mustard (HD) has an odor like
burning garlic or horseradish
- Lewisite (L) has an odor like penetrating geranium
- Phosgene oxime (CX) has a pepperish or pungent odor |
- Severe irritation
- Redness and blisters of the skin
- Tearing, conjunctivitis, corneal damage
- Mild respiratory distress to marked airway damage
- May cause death |
| Incapacitating/ Behavior-altering |
- Agent 15/BZ |
- May appear as mass drug intoxication
with erratic behaviors, shared realistic and distinct hallucinations,
disrobing and confusion
- Hyperthermia
- Mydriasis (dilated pupils) |
- Dry mouth and skin
- Initial tachycardia
- Altered consciousness, delusions, denial of illness, belligerence
- Hyperthermia
- Ataxia (lack of coordination)
- Hallucinations
- Mydriasis (dilated pupils) |
| *Frostbite may occur from skin contact with liquid arsine,
cyanogen chloride or phosgene. |