Nerve
Agents
Nerve agents cause biological effects by disrupting the normal mechanisms
by which nerves communicate with muscles, glands, and other nerves. This
causes hyperactivity in these structures before they fatigue and stop
functioning.
The important nerve
agents are GA (Tabun), GB (Sarin), GD (Soman), GF, and VX. Nerve agents
enter the body either through the skin or by inhalation through the lungs.
Vesicants
Vesicants are substances that cause erythema (redness) and vesicles (blisters)
on the skin as well as injury to the eyes, the airways and other organs.
There are three types of vesicants that are considered agents: sulfur
mustard, lewisite, and phosgene oxime.
Cyanide
Cyanide has a long history as a deadly poison because it causes death
within minutes of exposure. Under temperate conditions, cyanide evaporates
quickly to form poisonous gas or vapor. The forms of cyanide most likely
to be used in a terrorist attack are hydrogen cyanide or cyanide chloride.
Most signs and symptoms from cyanide poisoning are of central nervous
system origin.
Pulmonary
Agents
This class of compounds includes agents that cause pulmonary edema. The
best known of these is phosgene, a liquid that vaporates very quickly
and enters the body through the airways.
Riot
Control Agents
Riot control agents, also known as tear gas, irritants, and lacrimators,
are usually dispersed as a fine powder suspended in a liquid. Injuries
from riot control agents are generally not serious and medical assistance
is not usually sought after exposure to these agents.
Field
Observations |
- Sulfur mustard
has the scent of onions, garlic, or mustard.
- Lewisite
has the scent of geraniums.
- Cyanide
has the scent of bitter almonds and causes cherry red skin in
its victims.
- Phosgene
has the scent of freshly cut grass or hay.
|
Effects of
vesicant (blistering agent)
|
