Japan nerve agent poisonings

The only reported incidents of nerve agent poisoning, where biomedical samples have been obtained, are those resulting from terrorist dissemination of sarin in Matsumoto (1994) and the Tokyo subway (1995), plus an assassination using VX, also in Japan (60). In contrast to the CW incidents involving sulfur mustard, many of the biomedical samples associated with these terrorist attacks were collected within hours of the event. 

Unfortunately, there are no data on the long-term effects of nerve agent poisoning in children, and the effects must be extrapolated from what has been discovered in the adult population (Rotenberg and Newmark, 2003). Surveillance studies performed on victims of the sarin attacks in Japan revealed a wide range of sequelae, such as continued respiratory problems, vision disturbances, headache, and fatigue. Neuropsychiatric problems were also reported as a delayed effect. 

Confusing instructions and the lack of transparency about the identity of the poison by the authorities at the Union Carbide headquarters only accentuated the tragedy. It can be assumed that whenever a full-scale disaster occius, rumors are likely to spread. Even in the Japan subway tragedy where the incriminating agent was the organophosphate nerve agent sarin, rumors had it that the substance was cyanide. 

In the several terrorist uses of nerve agents in Japan, amnesia has been reported as a sequala in two very severe cases of poisoning, which may possibly be attributed to severe hypoxia experienced during the acute intoxication (Hatta, Miura, Asukai, Hamabe, 1996 Nozaki et al., 1995). Another severely poisoned individual has displayed persistent epileptiform discharges in the sleep EEG for up to 1... 

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