Blister Agents
Agents that cause blisters on skin and damage the
respiratory tract, mucous membranes, and eyes.
|
| Name/Symbol
|
Means of Exposure
|
Lethal Dosage
|
Rate of Action
|
Effects
|
Antidotes/ Methods of
Treatment |
| Sulfur Mustard (HD) |
Skin contact and/or inhalation |
Via inhalation: 1,500 LCt
Via skin exposure: 4,500 LD |
Delayed (tissue damage occurs within
minutes of contact, but clinical effects are not immediately evident).
Effects manifested 2 to 24 hours after exposure |
Pain is not immediate. Topical effects
occur on the skin (blisters), in airways (coughing, lesions, in rare cases
resulting in respiratory failure) and in the eyes (itchiness, burning
sensation, possible cornea damage). Nausea and vomiting can also result |
Thorough
decontamination using water
Prevention of infection using antibiotics
Application of lotions/ointments to soothe blisters
Mustard has no known antidote
British-Anti-Lewisite can mitigate some systemic effects of lewisite,
though it can itself cause some toxicity. |
| Lewisite (L) |
Skin contact and/or inhalation |
Via inhalation: 1,300 LCt. Via skin
exposure: greater than 4,500 LD |
Rapid Pain and irritation occur
immediately |
Effects are similar to mustard: skin
blistering, burning/watery/swollen eyes, upper airway irritation, systemic
blood poisoning |
| Nitrogen Mustard (HN-3) |
Skin contact and/or inhalation |
Via inhalation: 1,500 LCt. Via skin
exposure: 4,500 LD |
Rapid Rash occurs
within one hour; blistering occurs between 6 to12 hours after exposure |
Skin blistering, respiratory tract damage |
| Mustard-Lewisite |
Skin contact and/or inhalation |
Via inhalation: 1,500 LCt. Via skin
exposure: 10,000 LCt |
Rapid Stinging sensation occurs
immediately; blisters follow hours later |
Skin blistering, burning in the eyes,
inflamation of respiratory tract |
| Phosgene-oxime (CX) |
Skin contact and/or inhalation |
Via inhalation: 3,200 LCt Via
skin exposure:
25 LD |
Rapid |
Extremely irritating to eyes, skin, and
upper respiratory system |
Nerve Agents
Lethal substances that disable enzymes responsible
for the transmission of nerve impulses.
|
| Name/Symbol
|
Means of Exposure
|
Lethal Dosage
|
Rate of Action
|
Effects
|
Antidotes/ Methods of
Treatment |
| Tabun (GA) |
Skin contact and/or inhalation |
Via inhalation: 400 LCt
Via skin exposure: 1,000 LD |
Very rapid
Incapacitating effects occur within 1 to 10 minutes;
lethal effects occur within 10 to 15 minutes |
Effects seen in eyes
(contraction of pupils, pain, dim or blurred vision), nose (runny nose),
and airways (chest tightness)
Nausea and vomiting also possible
Twitching/convulsions result when skeletal muscle reached
Fluctuations in heart rate
Loss of consciousness and seizure activity can occur within one minute
of exposue in cases of exposure to high concentration of agent
Eventual paralysis, death |
4 steps to management of
exposure to nerve agents:
- decontamination
- ventilation
- antidotes
- supportive therapy
Therapeutic drug options:
- Atropine and Pralidoxime Chloride (autoinjectors packaged together
in kits provided to military personnel)
- Diazepam (anticonvulsant drug)
Pretreatment option:
- Pyridostigmine (can increase the lethal dose threshold significantly
if ingested prior to exposure and if paired with traditional therapeutic
options)
|
| Sarin (GB) |
Skin contact and/or inhalation |
Via inhalation: 100 LCt. Via skin
exposure: 1,700 LD |
Very rapid
Incapacitating effects occur within 1 to 10 minutes; lethal effects occur
within 2 to 15 minutes |
| Soman (GD) |
Skin contact and/or inhalation |
Via inhalation: 70
LCt. Via skin exposure:
50 LD |
Very rapid
Incapacitating effects occur within 1 to 10 minutes; lethal effects occur
within 1 to 15 minutes |
| VX |
Skin contact and/or inhalation |
Via inhalation: 50 LCt. Via skin exposure:
10 LD |
Rapid
Incapacitating effects occur within 1 to 10 minutes; lethal effects occur
within 4 to 42 hours |
| Novichok
agents |
|
Novichok 5 estimated to exceed
effectiveness of VX by 5 to 8 times. Novichok 7 estimated at 10
times better. |
Very rapid |
Assumed to be similar to the effects of
other nerve agents listed above |
Assumed to be similar to treatment methods
for other nerve agents listed above |
Choking Agents
Substances that damage respiratory tract, causing
extensive fluid build-up in the lungs.
|
| Name/Symbol
|
Means of Exposure
|
Lethal Dosage
|
Rate of Action
|
Effects
|
Antidotes/ Methods of
Treatment |
| Chlorine |
Inhalation |
3,000
LCt |
Rapid
Lethal effects manifest 30 minutes after exposure |
Shortness of breath,
irritation of mucous membranes; coughing; tightness of chest
Culminates in fluid build-up in lungs leading to fatal choking |
No antidote once exposed
Individuals should don gas masks and other protective gear to prevent
inhalation
Medical responses include:
- Relocation to decontaminated environment
- Enforced rest
- Management of secretions in airways
- Oxygen therapy
- Prevention/treatment of pulmonary edema
|
| Phosgene (CG) |
Inhalation |
3,200 LCt |
Delayed, Asymptomatic
period can last up to 24 hours |
| Diphosgene (DP) |
Inhalation |
3,200 LCt |
Delayed, Incapacitating and lethal effects
felt after 3 or more hours |
| Chloropicrin (PS) |
Inhalation |
20,000
LCt |
Variable, Produces tears in seconds;
lethal effects felt after 10 minutes |
Vomiting, fluid build-up in lungs |
|
Blood Agents
Agents that interfere with the absorption of oxygen
into the bloodstream.
|
| Name/Symbol
|
Means of Exposure
|
Lethal Dosage
|
Rate of Action
|
Effects
|
Antidotes/ Methods of
Treatment |
| Hydrogen Cyanide (AC) |
Inhalation |
2,000 to 5,000
LCt |
Rapid effect, Exposure to low
concentrations causes symptoms in 1 or more hours. Exposure to high
concentrations causes sudden unconsciousness |
Agents inhibit cell
respiration; heart and central nervous system are susceptible
Cyanogen Chloride also greatly irritates eyes and lungs
In moderate cases:
- vomiting
- dizziness
- deeper, more rapid breathing
In severe cases:
- convulsions
- respiratory failure
- sudden loss of consciousness leading to death
|
Agents are highly volatile;
flush eyes with water; remove contaminated clothing; rinse exposed skin
with water
Antidotes: intravenous administration of sodium nitrite and sodium
thiosulfate for detoxification purposes (i.e., to assist body's ability to
excrete cyanide from system)
Pretreatment under development in the United Kingdom |
| Cyanogen Chloride (CK) |
Inhalation |
11,000
LCt |
Rapid effect, Lethal concentration
produces effects within 15 seconds of exposure; death following within 6
to 8 minutes |
|
Riot Control (Incapacitating) Agents
Substances that rapidly produce temporary
disabling effects.
|
| Name/Symbol
|
Means of Exposure
|
Lethal Dosage
|
Rate of Action
|
Effects
|
Antidotes/ Methods of
Treatment |
| Tear Agent 2 (CN) |
Inhalation |
7,000
LCt |
Rapid |
Instant pain in eyes and nose;
tearing induced; coughing; chest tightness; vomiting if high doses are
swallowed or if individual is especially sensitive |
Relocate to fresh air
Thorough washing of exposed eyes and skin with water
Effects generally dissipate within 15 to 30 minutes of departure from
contaminated area |
| Tear Agent O (CS) |
Inhalation |
61,000
LCt |
Rapid |
| Psychedelic Agent 3 (BZ) |
Inhalation |
N/A |
Rapid, Effects felt within 30 minutes |
Induces altered states of consciousness,
including hallucinations, stupor, forgetfulness, confusion |
|
Biological (germ) Agents
Organisms that disrupt synaptic or cellular
activity.
|
Agent
Type |
Name of
Agent |
Rate of Action
|
Effective Dosage
|
Symptoms/Effects
|
Prophylaxis/Treatment
|
| Bacteria |
Bacillus anthracis Causes anthrax |
Incubation:
1 to 6 days Length of illness:
1 to 2 days 95% mortality rate |
8,000 to 50,000 spores |
Fever and fatigue; followed by slight
improvement, then abrupt onset of severe respiratory problems; shock;
pneumonia and death within 2 to 3 days |
Treatable, if antibiotics administered
prior to onset of symptoms
Vaccine available |
Yersinia
pestis Causes plague |
Incubation:
2 to 10 days
Length of illness:
1 to 2 days Variable mortality rate |
100 to 500 organisms |
Malaise, high fever, tender lymph nodes,
skin lesions, possible hemorrhages, circulatory failure, and eventual
death |
Treatable, if antiobiotics administered
within 24 hours of onset of symptoms
Vaccine available |
Brucella
suis Causes brucellosis |
Incubation:
5 to 60 days
2% mortality rate |
100 to 1,000 organisms |
Flu-like symptoms, including fever and
chills, headache, appetite loss, mental depression, extreme fatigue,
aching joints, sweating, and possibly gastrointestinal symptoms. |
Treatable with antibiotics
No vaccine available |
Pasturella tularensis Causes
tularemia Also
known as
rabbit or deer fly fever |
Incubation:
1 to 10 days Length of illness: 1 to 3 weeks 30% mortality rate |
10 to 50 organisms |
Fever, headache, malaise, general
discomfort, irritating cough, weight loss |
Treatable, if antibiotics administered
early
Vaccine available |
| Viruses |
Variola
virus Causes smallpox |
Incubation:
average 12 days Length of illness:
several weeks 35% mortality rate in un-
vaccinated individuals |
10 to 100 organisms |
Malaise, fever, vomiting, headache appear
first, followed 2 to 3 days later by lesions
Highly infectious |
Treatable if vaccine administered early
Sufficient quantities of vaccine available
Note: World Health Organization conducted a vaccination campaign
from 1967 to 1977 to eradicate smallpox. |
Venezuelan equine enceph-
alitis virus |
Incubation:
1 to 5 days
Length of illness:
1 to 2 weeks Low mortality rate |
10 to 100 organisms |
Sudden onset of fever, severe headache, and
muscle pain
Nausea, vomiting, cough, sore throat and diarrhea can follow |
No specific therapy exists
Vaccine available |
Yellow
fever
virus
|
Incubation:
3 to 6 days Length of illness:
1 to 2 weeks 5% mortality rate |
1 to 10 organisms |
Severe fever, headache, cough, nausea,
vomiting, vascular complications (including easy bleeding, low blood
pressure) |
No specific therapy exists
Vaccine available |
| Toxins |
Saxitoxin Produced
by algae in shellfish such as mussels |
Time to effect:
minutes to hours
Length of illness:
Fatal after inhalation of lethal dose |
10 micrograms per kilogram of body weight |
Dizziness, paralysis of respiratory system,
and death within minutes |
|
Botulinum
toxin Causes botulism Produced
by Clostridium botulinum bacterium |
Time to effect:
24 to 36 hours
Length of illness:
24 to 72 hours 65% mortality rate |
.001 microgram per kilogram of body weight |
Weakness, dizziness, dry throat and mouth,
blurred vision, progressive weakness of muscles. Interruption of
neurotransmission leading to paralysis. Abrupt respiratory failure may
result in death |
Treatable with antitoxin, if administered
early
Vaccine available |
Ricin Derived
from castor beans |
Time to effect:
few hours
Length of illness:
3 days High mortality rate |
3 to 5 micrograms per kilogram of body
weight |
Rapid onset of weakness, fever, cough,
fluid build-up in lungs, respiratory distress |
No antitoxin or vaccine available |
Staphylo-
coccal enterotoxin B (SEB) Produced
by Staphylo-
coccus aureus |
Time to effect:
3 to 12 hours
Length of illness:
Up to 4 weeks |
30 nanograms per person |
Fever, chills, headache, nausea, cough,
diarrhea, and vomiting |
No specific therapy or vaccine available |