National Academies Press: OpenBook

Chemical and Biological Terrorism: Research and Development to Improve Civilian Medical Response (1999)

Chapter: Appendix C: Lethal and Incapacitating Chemical Weapons

« Previous: Appendix B: Inventory of Chemical and Biological Defense Technology, with Gap and Overlap Analysis
Suggested Citation:"Appendix C: Lethal and Incapacitating Chemical Weapons." Institute of Medicine. 1999. Chemical and Biological Terrorism: Research and Development to Improve Civilian Medical Response. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/6364.
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Page 260

Appendix C
Lethal and Incapacitating Chemical Weapons

Suggested Citation:"Appendix C: Lethal and Incapacitating Chemical Weapons." Institute of Medicine. 1999. Chemical and Biological Terrorism: Research and Development to Improve Civilian Medical Response. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/6364.
×

Page 261

Lethal and Incapacitating Chemical Weapons

Agent

Effects

Onset

First Aid

Nerve Agents

     

GA (Tabun), ethyl N,N-dimethyl-phosphoramidocyanidate

Miosis, rhinorrhea, dyspnea, convulsions

seconds to minutes

Atropine, pralidoxime, anticonvulsants, ventilation

GB (Sarin), isopropyl-methylphosphorofluoridate

     

GD (Soman), Trimethylpropylmethylphosphorofluoridate

     

GF, cyclohexyl-methylphosphorofluoridate

     

VX, o-ethyl S-[2-(diiospropylamino)ethyl]methylphosphorofluoridate

     

Vesicants

     

H, HD (mustard), bis-2-chlorethyl sulfide

Erythema, blisters, eye irritation, dyspnea

minutes to hours

Decontamination, topical antibiotics, bronchodilators, ventilation

CX (Phosgene oxime), dichloroformoxime

     

L (Lewisite), J-chlorovinyldichloroarsine

   

British antilewisite

Cyanide

     

AC (Hydrocyanic acid)

Loss of consciousness, convulsions, apnea

minutes

Nitrites, sodium thiosulfate

CK (Cyanogen chloride)

     

Pulmonary Agents

     

CG (phosgene), carbonyl chloride

Dyspnea, coughing

minutes to hours

Oxygen, ventilation, bronchodilators

DP (Diphosgene), trichloromethylchlorformate

     

Continued on next page

Suggested Citation:"Appendix C: Lethal and Incapacitating Chemical Weapons." Institute of Medicine. 1999. Chemical and Biological Terrorism: Research and Development to Improve Civilian Medical Response. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/6364.
×

Page 262

Lethal and Incapacitating Chemical Weapons (Continued)

Agent

Effects

Onset

First Aid

Riot Control Agents

     

CS, 2-chlorobenzylidenemalononitrile

Burning stinging of eyes, nose, airway, vomiting

seconds to minutes

Water for eyes, skin, bronchodilators, oxygen, ventilation for lungs

CN, 1-chloroacetophenone

     

CR, dibenz (b,F)-1:4-oxazepine

     

CA, bromobenzylcyanide

     

DM, diphenylaminearsine

     

DA, diphenylchlorarsine

     

DC, diphenylcyanoarsine

     

Opioids

     

Carfentanil

Dyspnea, ataxia, catatonia

minutes

Naloxone, nalmefene, naltrexone, ventilation

Sufentanil

     

Anesthetics

     

Chloroform

Analgesia, loss of reflexes and conciousness

minutes

Ventilation

Halothane

     

Cyclopropane

     

Ether

     

Antimuscarinics

     

BX, 3-quinuclidinyl benzilate

mydriasis, erythema, ataxia, delirium

1 hour

Tacrine, physostigmine

Cholinergics

     

Nicotine

Weakness, tremors, apnea, convulsions

minutes

Mecamylamine

Epibatidine

     

Anatoxin A

     
Suggested Citation:"Appendix C: Lethal and Incapacitating Chemical Weapons." Institute of Medicine. 1999. Chemical and Biological Terrorism: Research and Development to Improve Civilian Medical Response. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/6364.
×
Page 260
Suggested Citation:"Appendix C: Lethal and Incapacitating Chemical Weapons." Institute of Medicine. 1999. Chemical and Biological Terrorism: Research and Development to Improve Civilian Medical Response. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/6364.
×
Page 261
Suggested Citation:"Appendix C: Lethal and Incapacitating Chemical Weapons." Institute of Medicine. 1999. Chemical and Biological Terrorism: Research and Development to Improve Civilian Medical Response. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/6364.
×
Page 262
Next: Appendix D: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention List of Restricted Agents »
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The threat of domestic terrorism today looms larger than ever. Bombings at the World Trade Center and Oklahoma City's Federal Building, as well as nerve gas attacks in Japan, have made it tragically obvious that American civilians must be ready for terrorist attacks. What do we need to know to help emergency and medical personnel prepare for these attacks? Chemical and Biological Terrorism identifies the R&D efforts needed to implement recommendations in key areas: pre-incident intelligence, detection and identification of chemical and biological agents, protective clothing and equipment, early recognition that a population has been covertly exposed to a pathogen, mass casualty decontamination and triage, use of vaccines and pharmaceuticals, and the psychological effects of terror. Specific objectives for computer software development are also identified. The book addresses the differences between a biological and chemical attack, the distinct challenges to the military and civilian medical communities, and other broader issues. This book will be of critical interest to anyone involved in civilian preparedness for terrorist attack: planners, administrators, responders, medical professionals, public health and emergency personnel, and technology designers and engineers.

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