Nerve agents doses

Carbamate nerve agents do not have good warning properties. They have no odor, and, other than causing miosis, aerosols do not irritate the eyes. Contact neither irritates the skin nor causes cutaneous injuries. 

Casualties are caused both by inhalation and by dermal contact. Since VX is an oily liquid with low volatility, liquid droplets on the skin do not evaporate quickly, thus facilitating effective percutaneous absorption. Clothing can release VX for about 30 min after contact with VX vapor, which can lead to the exposure of other people. In addition to inhalation and percutaneous exposure, casualties can also be caused by ocular exposure, ingestion, and injection. Although VX does not mix with water as easily as nerve agents do, it could be released into water and lead to exposures via drinking contaminated water or dermal contact with contaminated water. People can also be exposed by eating food contaminated with VX. 

Though VX does not mix with water as easily as other nerve agents do, it could be released into water. Following release of VX into water, people can be exposed by drinking contaminated water or getting contaminated water on their skin. 

There are a wide variety of potential chemicals, including organic-based phosphate pesticides such as Malathion, that could be used for malicious purposes. These compounds disrupt the acetyl cholinesterase enzyme just as nerve agents do. For example, arsenic trioxide acts as a metallic poison. 

Inhalation Hold breath and don respiratory protection mask administer immediately, in rapid succession, all three Nerve Agent Antidote Kits, Mark I injectors if severe signs of agent exposure appear use mouth-to-mouth resuscitation when approved mask-bag or oxygen delivery systems are not available, but do not use mouth-to-mouth resuscitation when facial contamination exists if breathing is difficult, administer oxygen seek medical attention immediately. 

Use a sponge or cloth with liquid soap and copious amounts of water to wash the skin surface and hair at least three times. Do not delay decontamination to find warm or hot water if it is not readily available. Avoid rough scrubbing as this could abrade the skin and increase percutaneous absorption of residual agent. Rinse with copious amounts of water. If there is a potential that the eyes have been exposed to nerve agents, irrigate with water or 0.9% saline solution for a minimum of 15 minutes. 

Decontaminate the casualty ensuring that all nerve agents have been removed. If nerve agents have gotten into the eyes, irrigate the eyes with water or 0.9% saline solution for at least 15 minutes. Irrigate open wounds with water or 0.9% saline solution for at least 10 minutes. However, do not delay treatment if thorough decontamination cannot be... 

Although bicyclophosphates do not inhibit acetylcholinesterase, they exhibit a synergistic toxic effect with materials that do. Individuals who have had previous exposure to cholinesterase inhibitors such as nerve agents and commercial organophosphate or carbamate pesticides may be at a greater risk from exposure to bicyclophosphates. 

Many of these chemicals are similar to, but generally less toxic than, military chemical agents identified in other chapters of this book (e.g., nerve agents, vesicant agents, etc.). However, some of them are systemic poisons that act in ways that do not fit into one of the standard military classifications. 

Toxins present a variety of both incapacitating and lethal effect. Most toxins of military significance can be broadly classified in one of two ways. Neurotoxins disrupt the nervous system and interfere with nerve impulse transmission similar to nerve agents (Chapter 1). However, all neurotoxins do not operate through the same mechanism of action or do they produce the same symptoms. Cytotoxins are poisons that destroy cells or impair cellular activities. Symptoms may resemble those of vesicants (Chapter 3) or they may resemble food poisoning or other diseases. Toxins may also produce effects that are a combination of these general categories. The consequences of intoxication from any individual toxin can vary widely with route of exposure and dose. In addition, some toxins act as biomediators and cause the body to release excessive, and therefore harmful, amounts of chemicals that are normally produced by the body. 

Ingestion Do not induce vomiting. First symptoms are likely to be gastrointestinal. Immediately administer Nerve Agent Antidote Kit, Mark I. Seek medical attention immediately. 

Do not breath fumes skin contact with nerve agents should always be avoided contact with liquid sarin or vapors can kill responders. Hydrogen may be present Use water mist, fog, foam, or CO-2 to fight the fire do NOT splash or spread sarin. 

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