Hazards dermal

Because of the extreme dermal hazard posed by vesicants, responders should wear a Level A protective ensemble whenever there is a potential for exposure to any solid or liquid agent, or to an elevated or unknown concentration of agent vapor. 

Colorless gas that fumes strongly in moist air. This material is hazardous through inhalation and produces local skin/eye impacts. Hydrogen fluoride generated during decomposition poses a significant inhalation and dermal hazard. 

Irritating and lachrymatory agents are primarily an eye and respiratory hazard however, at elevated vapor/aerosol concentrations or in contact with bulk material, agents may also pose a dermal hazard. In addition, solvents used in agent formulations may also pose respiratory or contact hazards. 

Structural firefighters protective clothing should never be used as the primary chemical protective garment to enter an area contaminated with dermally hazardous toxins. 

Rapid-acting dermally hazardous cytotoxin that inhibits protein synthesis and affects clotting factors in the blood. It is capable of producing incapacitating or lethal effects. T2 is obtained from various molds and fungi (Fusarium sp.). It is a colorless crystalline solid of white powder that melts at 304°F. Impure samples may be a colorless to slightly yellow oil. It is slightly soluble in water, but soluble in ethyl acetate, acetone, ethanol, chloroform, methylene chloride, diethyl ether, and dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO). It is heat stable and can be stored at room temperature for years. 

Dermally hazardous cytotoxins obtained from various molds and fungi (Fusarium sp.). They are colorless, crystalline solids that are heat stable and can be stored for long periods. 

The toxicity of these products is dependent on the formulation and the inert ingredients. Several formulations have severe to moderate inhalation and eye hazards. However, most products have only slight oral and dermal hazards. Fenfuram is classified as an irritant. 

Local skin effects are not the only consideration for dermal toxicity. The role of the skin as a barrier preventing the free penetration of exogenous chemicals into the systemic circulation is equally important. Indeed, it is becoming apparent that the dermal route of exposure is in many cases comparable to inhalation and oral absorption as a potential source of potentially toxic chemicals in the body and forms an integral part of many multi-media multi-pathway risk assessments. In this context, for example, the (US) National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health is currently revising its current skin notations (which identify chemicals likely to present dermal hazards in the workplace) to take into account a... 

Toxins posing a dermal hazard (C23) Blister agents (C07 - Cll)... 

Arsenical Vesicants are colorless to brown liquids. These agents generally have fruity or flowery odors although pure materials may be odorless. Agents can be thickened with various substances to increase their persistency and dermal hazard. When thickened, agents have a consistency similar to honey. 

Choking Agents injure an unprotected person chiefly in the respiratory tract. In extreme cases, membranes swell, lungs become filled with liquid (pulmonary edema), and death results from lack of oxygen. Some agents may also pose a dermal hazard. 

These Toxins pose both a severe respiratory and severe contact hazard. Toxins are generally dispersed as aerosols. Although Toxins are nonvolatile and do not pose an inhalation hazard once the aerosol has settled, residue from aerosols of Dermally Hazardous Toxins can still pose a contact threat. Wear appropriate fully encapsulating protective gear with positive pressure self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA). There is a significant hazard posed by contact of contaminated material with abraded skin or injection of toxins through contact with debris. Appropriate protection to avoid any potential abrasion, laceration or pimcture of the skin is essential. 

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