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Chemical Threats |
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Chemical Agent
A chemical agent is a toxic or hazardous gas, liquid or solid that can poison people and the environment. It can be dispersed by improvised explosive devices, spray devices, military weapons or any other means as devised by the terrorists. |
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Chemical Agent Attack
A chemical agent attack is the deliberate release of a chemical agent to kill, seriously injure or
incapacitate people.
Most chemical agents are toxic when inhaled and may cause injury on contact with the eye or exposed to the skin. |
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Classes of Chemical Agents and their Effects |
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Terrorists could use numerous chemical agents in an attack. Such agents include nerve, blister, blood and choking agents. |
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Look out for these symptoms: |
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Tearing, salivation, urination, shortness of breath, vomiting, muscle twitching, seizures, respiratory paralysis and death |
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Nerve Agents (e.g. Sarin)
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Easily absorbed
through the
respiratory tract, the
skin and eyes.
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Inhibit the proper
functioning of
neurotransmitters in
the nervous system
leading to tearing,
salivation, urination,
shortness of breath,
vomiting, muscle
twitching, seizures,
respiratory paralysis
and death.
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High doses of nerve
agents can prove
fatal in a short time
period (a few
minutes).
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Redness of skin,
severe pain and
formation of blisters on contact and extreme irritation to respiratory tract |
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Blister Agents
(e.g. Sulphur Mustard)
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Generally heavy,
oily, non-volatile
liquids that are
primarily absorbed
by the skin.
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Cause redness of
skin, severe pain
and formation of
blisters on contact
and extreme
irritation to the
respiratory tract.
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Likely to be used to
produce serious
injuries rather than
to kill. Can be fatal
at higher doses.
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Headaches, nausea, vomitting, dim vision, dizziness, convulsions, coma and even death |
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Blood Agents
(e.g. Hydrogen Cyanide)
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Affect the
respiratory and
circulatory systems
by blocking the
blood’s ability to
deliver oxygen to
body tissues.
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Can be absorbed
by inhalation or
through the skin.
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Symptoms range
from headaches,
nausea, vomiting,
dim vision,
dizziness,
convulsions, coma
and even death.
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Death by
asphyxiation can
occur within
minutes if exposed
to a high
concentration of a
blood agent.
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Dryness of throat,
coughing, chest
tightness, nausea and watering of eyes |
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Choking Agents
(e.g. Phosgene)
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Injure
unprotected
persons by
irritating or
damaging the
respiratory tract.
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In extreme cases,
the respiratory
membranes swell
and the lungs
become filled with
liquid to the
extent that air is
excluded.
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Exposure to
choking agents
produces dryness
of the throat,
coughing, chest
tightness, nausea
and watering of
the eyes.
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Possible Signs of a Chemical Agent Attack |
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People collapsing for no apparent reason |
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Signs of a Chemical Agent Attack
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Many people falling
sick and displaying
signs and symptoms
such as watery eyes,
shortness of breath,
headaches, vomiting
etc.
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Three or more people
collapsing for no
apparent reason.
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Many sick or dead
birds, fish or
small animals in the
affected environment.
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In the Event of a Chemical Agent Attack |
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Quickly ascertain the area affected or where the chemical release is coming from, if possible. |
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Avoid contaminated area and quickly leave building |
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If the chemical release happens inside the building you are in
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Move away and seek shelter |
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If you are out in the open when the chemical release occurs
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Cover your mouth and
nose with a handkerchief or
cloth.
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Do not walk into the wind
as it may carry along the
hazardous chemical.
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Find shelter or get inside a
building as soon as
possible and seek In-Place
Protection.
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Make vehicle air-tight |
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If you are in your vehicle when the chemical release occurs
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Exposure to a Chemical Agent |
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If You have been Exposed
If your eyes are watering, your skin stinging and you have trouble breathing, you may have been exposed to a chemical agent and should do the following:
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Strip immediately and tie up the
contaminated clothes in a bag for
disposal.
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Look for a water source and wash
with a large amount of water. Use
soap if possible.
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Seek immediate medical attention.
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Remove clothing and shower immediately |
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If you Think Someone has been Exposed
If you suspect someone has been exposed to a chemical agent:
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Do not try to administer first aid to
him/her unless it is safe to do so.
Otherwise, you may be affected by
the chemical and become a casualty
too.
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Your priority is to get away from the
chemical threat and call for help.
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Maintain distance from victim and call for help |
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