Chemical agents casualties

Currently, scientists and experts from many countries are working on development and implementation of a readiness for anti terrorist actions. In addition to chemical weapons, terrorists can use various toxic chemicals from chemical industry, agriculture or products released from terrorist acts on industrial facilities. The arsenal of chemical agents that can be used as terrorist agents is practically unlimited. The focus of this workshop was assessment of scientific concepts and practical means for management of chemical agent casualties in the area of terrorist attack with emphasis on improving the medical treatment and decontamination. These problems were analyzed from an interdisciplinary perspective. 

Treatment of Chemical Agent Casualties and Conventional Military Chemical Injuries. Department of the Army Field Manual, FM8-285. 

Department of the Army, Navy and Air Force, "Treatment of Chemical Agent Casualties and Conventional Military Chemical Injuries", Technical Manual TM8-285, Publicaton NAVMED P-5041, Airforce Manual AFM160-12, Washington D.C., 1974. Department of Transportation - United States Coast Guard, "A Condensed Guide to Chemical Hazards", Commandant Instruction M16465.il, Washington D.C., 1978. 

FM 8-285/NAVMED P-5041/AFM 160-11, 1990. Field Manual, Treatment of Chemical Agent Casualties and Conventional Military Chemical Injuries, U.S. Departments of the Army, the Navy, and the Air Force. 

The primary focus of the proposed book is the introduction of scientific concepts and practical means for management of chemical agent casualties from terrorist attacks with emphasis on improving the medical treatment. The main topics include ... 

However, all chemical agent casualties must be thoroughly decontaminated before they enter a clean MTF. This should be done with the realization that by the time a contaminated soldier reaches an MTF, this decontamination will rarely help the casualty it does, however, prevent exposure of medical personnel. 

Systemic steroid therapy has been considered for use in certain toxic inhalational exposures. U.S. Army Field Manual 8-285, Treatment of Chemical Agent Casualties and Conventional Military Chemical Injuries,4 suggests a benefit in phosgene exposure, but human data supporting this approach are scanty. There is some support in the literature for steroid use in exposure to zinc/zinc oxide and oxides of nitrogen. However, there is no other strong support in the literature for the treatment of other specific toxic inhalations with systemic steroids. 

CA is rarely used and is a relatively unimportant agent of this class. The compound is included here primarily because it is discussed in Treatment of Chemical Agent Casualties and Conventional Military Chemical Casualties,52 54 field manuals published by the Department of Defense for use by the U.S. Army, Navy, and Air Force. 

Integral to the conventional approach to chemical agent casualty management is that any medical assistance will be provided by appropriately trained medical professionals. In contrast, the approach proposed by the ICRC states that not only is medical care possible in a contaminated or potentially contaminated environment but also that non-medical emergency responders could provide some effective first aid. 

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