EMERGENCY RISK REDUCTION

The alleged use of chemical weapons against civilians in Syria last month should sicken all of us. What exactly is a chemical weapon, and why are they universally condemned?

Chemical agents are “weapons of mass destruction” along with radiological and biological agents. WMDs cause great social upheaval, and usually the psychological effect is greater than the physical effect. Briefly, radiological agents originate from a nuclear or radiological blast; biological includes infectious diseases or toxins from biological origins; and, chemical weapons are poisons used to kill or incapacitate.  I will address only chemical agents.

The two classes of Chemical Agents are ‘Industrial Chemicals’ and ‘Warfare Agents’. Industrial Chemicals are commonplace, with over 50,000 compounds serving a multitude of purposes to improve and ease our lives. However, many of these same chemicals are deadly, prompting familiar warning labels against swallowing, skin contact, etc. In the wrong hands, they are fatal. They are divided into three categories. The choking agents cause suffocation and edema (fluid buildup), such as household chlorine bleach or phosgene. Blood agents cause asphyxiation by blocking oxygen in the bloodstream, such as hydrogen cyanide and cyanogen chloride. Nerve agents interrupt brain and nerve impulses, and include malathion and sevin.

Warfare Agents are divided into two categories. Blister agents cause severe external and internal burns, and include sulfur mustard, nitrogen mustard, and arsenicals. The “mustard gas” used during WWI come to mind. Nerve agents include tabun (GA), sarin (GB) soman (GD), GF, and VX. Sarin is probably the most commonly available agent, with high toxicity. It was used in Japan’s subway terrorist attack and during the Iran/Iraq War several years ago. Sarin is the chemical agent allegedly released last month in Syria.

The invisible nature of chemical agents pose a challenge for emergency responders. Various levels of protective clothing are required. The properties of each chemical agent may conflict, and symptoms are often delayed. However,  in general, the treatment for all chemical exposure is decontamination, along with supportive care (i.e. maintain the victim’s breathing, administer IVs, etc.). Responding to a chemical exposure requires specialized training and equipment. This is why it is classified as a WMD, resulting in both physical and psychological impact.

Before universally condemning chemical weapons, you may be surprised to know that many people carry one — a class of chemical agents that are non-lethal.  These are “irritating  agents” used often for incapacitating assailants and  riot control, such as tear gas, capsicum (pepper spray), and aerosol MACE.  Again, understand that chemicals have been invaluable in the development of  the many products that have revolutionized our modern lifestyles. However, like flames of a fire, they can kill and destroy in the wrong place and when applied nefariously.

Thanks for reading.

Monty