Urticants exposure

CX is an urticant, producing instant, almost intolerable pain and local tissue destruction immediately on contact with skin and mucous membranes. It is toxic through inhalation, skin and eye exposure, and ingestion. Its rate of detoxification in the body is unknown. 

Urticants are hazardous through any route of exposure including inhalation, skin and eye exposure, ingestion, and broken, abraded, or lacerated skin (e.g., penetration of skin by debris). 

Urticants have a penetrating and disagreeable odor detectable at very low concentrations. Even minimal exposure causes immediate irritation and pain of the eyes, nose, mucous membranes, respiratory system, and skin. Urticants pose a significant percutaneous hazard and are absorbed through the skin within seconds. 

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. 

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

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. 

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. 

Decontaminate the casualty ensuring that all the urticants have been removed. Rapid decontamination of any exposure is essential. If urticants have gotten into the eyes, irrigate the eyes with water or 0.9% saline solution for at least 1 hour. Irrigate open wounds with water or 0.9% saline solution for at least 10 minutes. 

Urticants are hazardous through inhalation, skin and eye exposure, and ingestion. 

Skin impacts from Urticant vapor occur at concentrations as low as 0.04 ppm (10 minute exposure). Effects may become unbearable at a concentration of 0.6 ppm (one minute exposure). 

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