Nerve agents severe exposure

Exposure of the eyes to nerve agent vapour exposure usually causes miosis and ocular pain due to spasm of the sphincter muscles of the iris and ciliary body, and dimmed or blurred vision. The eye discomfort is characterised as a sharp or aching ocular pain and can be associated with a mild-to-severe headache. Sometimes, the pain is accompanied by nausea and vomiting. The duration of miosis is variable, ranging from several days to as long as 9 weeks. 

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... 

DF and its precursor, DC are organophosphonic acids. They will react with alcohols to form crude lethal nerve agents, such as crude GB. High overexposure may cause inhibition of cholinesterase activity. Although much less toxic than GB, DF and DC are toxic and corrosive materials. Because DF and DC are relatively volatile compounds, the primary route of exposure is expected to be the respiratory system. However, ingestion also results from inhalation exposures in animals and could occur in humans. DF and DC vapors have a pungent odor and may cause severe and painful irritation of the eyes, nose, throat, and lungs. Data provided is for DF only, DC has similar properties. 

Meat from animals that have suffered only mild to moderate effects from exposure to nerve agents should be safe to consume. Milk should be discarded for the first 7 days postexposure and then should be safe to consume. Meat, milk, and animal products, including hides, from animals severely affected or killed by nerve agents should be destroyed. 

Pyridostigmine About twelve years ago, the U.S. military provided pyridostigmone bromide as a pretreatment for nerve agent exposure. Each trooper received a blister pack containing twenty-one 30-mg tablets for a dose regimen of one 30-mg tablet every eight hours. When given before soman exposure and when that exposure is followed by the standard MARK I therapy, the use of this pretreatment will increase the LD-50 several fold over the LD-50 obtained without the use of the pretreatment. When soman is the nerve... 

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