Carbon monoxide blood agents

Carbon monoxide blood agents do not have good warning properties. Carbon monoxide is odorless and colorless. Although exposure to metal carbonyl vapors can cause eye irritation,... 

Lethal concentrations (LC50S) for inhalation of carbon monoxide blood agents have not been fully established. However, immediately dangerous to life or health levels (IDLHs) for inhalation of these agents are as low as 2 ppm. 

There are no published recommendations for isolation or protective action distances for carbon monoxide blood agents released in mass casualty situations. 

A casualty with known exposure to carbon monoxide blood agents, who was initially unconscious but has regained consciousness or a casualty who shows neurological abnormalities such as dizziness, confusion, or hallucinations, has cardiac arrhythmias, bronchospasm or complains of severe headache, difficulty in breathing or chest pain. If available, breath measurement indicates that the blood carbon monoxide level exceeds 20%. 

A casualty with known exposure to carbon monoxide blood agents and in cardiac arrest. 

Blood or tissue agents are chemicals that affect the body by being absorbed into and distributed by the blood to the tissues. Substances include arsine, carbon monoxide, cyanide agents, and sodium monofluoroacetate. 

Blood agents. These agents are absorbed into the blood and interfere with the oxygen carrying capacity, e.g. arsine, cyanides, carbon monoxide, etc. 

Carbon monoxide (CO). One of the most important agents involved in poisoning cases with many sources (fires, car exhausts, solvent metabolism) and difficult to detect. Binds avidly to iron atoms in haemoglobin forming carboxyhaemoglobin (COHb) which may be determined in the blood 20% COHb may lead to impairment of normal function, 60% to death. The main target organs are the brain... 

Chemical asphyxiates are toxic agents which enter into reactions to cause histotoxic hypoxia. These chemicals prevent the red blood cells from carrying oxygen. Some more familiar chemical asphyxiates are carbon monoxide, nitrites, hydrogen sulhde, and aniline. 

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