Urticants agents

The remaining agents that may be implicated include psychoactive agents, such as Agent 15, and common industrial chemicals such as hydrofluoric acid. Other toxins, such as ricin, may also be weaponised (e.g. aerosolised). Eye and skin irritation and blistering may be due to chemical bums rather than vesicant or urticant agents. It should also... 

The agents in this class are halogenated oximes. This class of agents is not specifically covered by the Chemical Weapons Convention. Because of the toxicity of the agents and lack of commercial application outside of limited scientific research, urticants would be prohibited based on the Guidelines for Schedules of Chemicals. 

Urticants are also systemic agents and rapidly pass through the skin to affect susceptible tissue. Percutaneous absorption of liquids or solids can also produce pulmonary edema and blood clots in the lungs. 

Urticants produce immediate irritation and pain of the eyes, respiratory tract, and skin. Blanching, reddening of the skin (erythema), and hives develop within minutes of exposure. Blisters, localized tissue death (necrosis), and formation of scabs may be delayed for 24 hours or more. Systemic effects, including pulmonary edema, from either inhalation or percutaneous absorption of the agent, do not occur until after a substantial latency period. 

Urticants are relatively unstable and tend to decompose spontaneously unless stored at low temperatures. Below —4°F, they can be kept for extended periods. Solvents including 1, 2-dimethoxybenzene, ether, dioxane, nitromethane, and glycine act as stabilizers and may be added to help prevent decomposition of agents during storage. Agents can be stored in glass or enamel-lined containers. Urticants rapidly attack rubber and metals, especially iron. 

The rapid skin damage caused by urticants renders the skin more susceptible to subsequent exposure of any other toxic material or agent. 

Urticants rapidly react with metals, especially iron. Iron chloride, even in trace amounts, can cause explosive decomposition. These agents decompose slowly when dissolved in water. Dilute acids will retard the rate of decomposition. 

Urticants can penetrate garments and rubber much faster than other chemical warfare agents. Structural firefighters protective clothing is recommended for fire situations only it is not effective in spill situations or release events and should never be used as the primary chemical protective garment to enter an area contaminated with urticants. 

Immediately dangerous to life or health (IDLH) levels are the ceiling limit for respirators other than SCBAs. However, IDLH levels have not been established for urticants. Therefore, any potential exposure to these agents should be regarded with extreme caution and the use of SCBAs for respiratory protection should be considered. 

Because of the extreme dermal hazard posed by urticants, 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. 

Because of the vigorous reaction of urticants with caustics, household bleach is not an effective decontamination agent for large quantities of these materials. Reaction with hypochlorites, including household bleach, may produce toxic gases such as chlorine. 

Casualties/personnel Speed in decontamination is absolutely essential. Because of the rapid onset of effects and the speed with which urticants are absorbed through the skin, decontamination will not be entirely effective by the time the casualty experiences pain and blanching occurs. However, decontamination must still be done as rapidly as possible postexposure. Remove all clothing as it may continue to emit "trapped" agent vapor after contact with the vapor cloud has ceased. Shower using copious amounts of soap and water. Ensure that the hair has been washed and rinsed to remove potentially trapped vapor. To be effective, decontamination must be completed within 2 minutes of exposure. If there is a potential that the eyes have been exposed to urticants, irrigate with water or 0.9% saline solution for a minimum of 15 minutes. 

Small areas Ventilate to remove the vapors. If condensation is present, decontaminate the area with copious amounts of soap and water. Collect the agent and rinseate and place into containers lined with high-density polyethylene. Although urticants rapidly break down on most surfaces, removal of porous material, including painted surfaces, may be required to prevent agents that have been absorbed into these materials from migrating back to the surface and posing an extended hazard. 

The CDC has not published a specific case definition for intoxication by urticants. However, the general case definition for vesicants states "A case in which a vesicant is detected in biologic samples. The case can be confirmed if laboratory testing is not performed because either a predominant amount of clinical and nonspecific laboratory evidence is present or an absolute certainty of the etiology of the agent is known."... 

Urticants that have entered the body are metabolized, hydrolyzed, or bound to tissue and pose little threat of off-gassing. To remove agents on the outside of the body, wash the remains with soap and water ensuring that the solution is introduced into the ears, nostrils, mouth, and any wounds. Pay particular attention to areas where agent may get trapped, such as hair, scalp, pubic areas, fingernails, folds of skin, and wounds. All wash and rinse waste must be contained for proper disposal. 

Urticants produce instant, almost intolerable pain. They cause local tissue destruction immediately on contact with skin and mucous membranes. Sensations range from mild prickling to almost intolerable pain resembling a severe bee sting. Direct contact of the agent with the skin produces a corrosive type lesion. Skin lesions may not fully heal for over 2 months. Inhalation of Urticant vapor can cause lung membranes to swell and become filled with liquid (pulmonary edema). Death may result from lack of oxygen. 

Urticants produce immediate effects on skin and eyes. Pulmonary edema caused by inhalation of the agent vapor may be delayed for several hours. 

Urticants are unstable and decompose rapidly in soil. Agents are relatively nonpersistent on surfaces and in water. 

Vapors from Urticants have a density greater than air and tend to collect in low places. Urticants are unstable and decompose rapidly in soil. Agents dissolve slowly but completely in water and may take days to decompose once in solution. 

Urticants may be volatilized during a fire or be spread by efforts to extinguish the fire. Agents may be decomposed by heat to produce other toxic and/or corrosive gases. In addition, Urticants may react with steam or water during a fire to produce toxic and/or corrosive vapors. Hydrogen produced by the action of the corrosive vapors on metals or other corrodible materials may be present. 

Small Areas Use large amoimts of water to wash the agents into collection areas. Rinse water and runoff may contain active agent. Because Urticants are only slowly dissolved in water, and because rinsing may drive agents into cracks and crevices, decontamination will not be entirely effective. 

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