This presentation was delivered in Federal Civil Defence Pakistan (Ministry of Interior) by HSE Consultant Saad Abdul Wahab during the course of Nuclear, Biological & Chemical Warfare.

1. Chemical Warfare
Presentation delivered in FCD NBC Course
Saad Abdul Wahab
M.Sc Applied Chemistry & Chemical Technology (Specialization in Petroleum Technology
BE Textile, from Synthetic Fiber Development & Application Center.
IOSH Managing Safely., IRCA LA OHSAS, HABC Level 2, HIRARC by NILAT.
Certifications of HSE, EMS-14001, OSHAS-18001, QMS 9001:2008, FSMS-22000:2005, SSCL (17025) by
SGS & NILAT.
IRCA approved Lead Auditor OHSAS 18001:2004 . HSE Rules & Laws in Industries from SDC.
Authorized Safety Instructor from DG Federal Civil Defence Pakistan.

2. Nature of Chemical Weapons
• Chemical weapons release toxic gases or liquids that attack the body’s nerves, blood, skin
or lungs. They may produce surface effects such as tears, blistering, or vomiting, or cause
hallucinations or loss of nervous control. Chemical attacks can contaminate an area for
between several hours and several days, compromising equipment and forcing troops to
wear highly restrictive protective clothing (reducing their efficiency) and / or take chemical
antidotes whose side effects remain largely unknown. Chemical attacks cause widespread
panic amongst both military and civilian populations, and their terror effects on civilians are
potent. The large number of potential casualties places burdens on medical facilities and
can overwhelm stretched military resources.
• A chemical weapon utilizes a manufactured chemical to incapacitate, harm, or kill people.
Strictly speaking, a chemical weapon relies on the physiological effects of a chemical, so
agents used to produce smoke or flame, as herbicides, or for riot control, are not
considered to be chemical weapons. Although certain chemical weapons can be used to
kill large numbers of people (i.e., As weapons of mass destruction), other weapons are
designed to injure or terrorize people. In addition to having potentially horrific effects,
chemical weapons are of great concern because they are cheaper and easier to
manufacture and deliver than nuclear or biological weapons.

3. Current Threat
Modern chemical weapons include the following
types of agents:
• Choking Agents (e.g., phosgene, chlorine)
• Blister Agents (e.g., nitrogen
mustard, Lewisite)
• Nerve Agents (e.g., Tabun, Sarin, VX)

4. Solid, Liquid and Gases
• Chemical weapons are chemical agents, whether
gaseous, liquid, or solid, that are employed
because of their direct toxic effects on humans,
animals, and plants. They inflict damage when
inhaled, absorbed through the skin, or ingested in
food or drink. Chemical agents become weapons
when they are placed into artillery shells, land
mines, aerial bombs, missile warheads, mortar
shells, grenades, spray tanks, or any other means
of delivering the agents to designated targets.

5. Volatility & Persistence
• One way to classify chemical warfare agents is
according to their persistency, a measure of the
length of time that a chemical agent remains
effective after dissemination. Chemical agents are
classified as persistent or non persistent.
• One liter of VX could theoretically kill one million
people and it persistence makes it deadly for up
to three weeks.

6. CW Agent Group Persistency Rate of Action
Choking Agents
Chlorine (Cl) Low Variable
Phosgene (PG) Low Delayed
Diphosgene (DP) Low Delayed
Chloropicrin (PS) Low Delayed
Blister Agents
Sulfur mustard (H, HD) Very high Delayed
Nitrogen mustard (HN) High Delayed
Phosgene oxime (CX) Low Immediate
Lewisite (L) High Rapid
Blood Agents
Hydrogen cyanide (AC) Low Rapid
Cyanogen chloride (CK) Low Rapid
Arsine (SA) Low Delayed
Nerve Agents
Tabun (GA) High Very rapid
Sarin (GB) Low Very rapid
Soman (GD) Moderate Very rapid
Cyclosarin (GE, GF) Moderate Very rapid
VX Very high Rapid
CW Agent Group, Persistency Rate of Action

7. Entry in Human Body
Routes of Entry into the Body
Route of exposure describes the way the chemical enters the body.
Chemicals may have serious effects by one route, and minimal
effects by another. Hazardous chemicals may enter the body by:
• Inhaling: Absorption through the respiratory tract via inhalation.
• Contact: Absorption through the skin via dermal contact.
• Ingestion: Absorption through the digestive tract via ingestion.
(Ingestion can occur through eating or smoking with contaminated
hands or in contaminated work areas.)
• Injection: Introducing the material directly into the bloodstream.
(Injection may occur through mechanical injury from "sharps".)

8. Assessment
Agents Dissemination Protection Detection
1914
Chlorine
Chloropicrin
Phosgene
Mustard gas
Wind dispersal
Gas masks, urinated-on
gauze
Smell
1918 Lewisite Chemical shells
Gas mask
Rosin oil clothing
smell of geraniums
1920s Projectiles w/ central bursters CC-2 clothing
1930s
G-series nerve
agents
Aircraft bombs
Blister agent detectors
Color change paper
1940s
Missile warheads
Spray tanks
Protective ointment
(mustard)
Collective protection
Gas mask w/ Whetlerite
1950s
1960s
V-series nerve
agents
Aerodynamic Gas mask w/ water supply Nerve gas alarm
1970s
1980s Binary munitions
Improved gas masks
(protection, fit, comfort)
Laser detection
1990s
Novichok nerve
agents

9. Identification of an attack
Chemical agents detection devices.
• CAM
• CAM Field Alarm Module
• GID-3
• HGVI
• LCD 3.2E
• LCD 3.3
• LCD-FR
• LCD-NEXUS
• SABRE 5000
• SABRE CENTURION II

10. Class of agent Agent Names Mode of Action Signs and Symptoms Rate of action Persistency
Nerve
•Cyclosarin(GF)
•Sarin (GB)
•Soman(GD)
•Tabun (GA)
•VX
•VR
•Someinsecticides
•Novichokagents
Inactivates enzyme acetylcholinesterase,
preventing the breakdown of
the neurotransmitter acetylcholine in the
victim'ssynapses and causing
both muscarinic and nicotinic effects
•Miosis (pinpoint pupils)
•Blurred/dim vision
•Headache
•Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea
•Copious secretions/sweating
•Muscle twitching/fasciculations
•Dyspnea
•Seizures
•Loss of consciousness
•Vapors: seconds to
minutes;
•Skin: 2 to 18 hours
VX is persistent and a
contact hazard; other
agents are non-
persistent and present
mostly inhalation
hazards.
Asphyxiant/Blood
•MostArsines
•Cyanogen chloride
•Hydrogen cyanide
•Arsine: Causes intravascular hemolysis that
may lead to renal failure.
•Cyanogen chloride/hydrogen
cyanide: Cyanide directly prevents cells from
using oxygen. The cells then usesanaerobic
respiration, creating excess lactic
acid and metabolic acidosis.
•Possible cherry-red skin
•Possible cyanosis
•Confusion
•Nausea
•Patients may gasp for air
•Seizures prior to death
•Metabolic acidosis
Immediate onset
Non-persistent and an
inhalation hazard.
Vesicant/Blister
•Sulfur mustard(HD, H)
•Nitrogen mustard(HN-1, HN-
2, HN-3)
•Lewisite(L)
•Phosgene oxime (CX)
Agents are acid-forming compounds that
damages skin andrespiratory system, resulting
burns and respiratory problems.
•Severe skin, eye and mucosal pain and irritation
•Skin erythema with large fluidblisters that heal
slowly and may become infected
•Tearing, conjunctivitis, cornealdamage
•Mild respiratory distress to marked airway
damage
•Mustards: Vapors: 4
to 6 hours, eyes and
lungs affected more
rapidly; Skin: 2 to 48
hours
•Lewisite: Immediate
Persistent and a contact
hazard.
Choking/Pulmonar
y
•Chlorine
•Hydrogen chloride
•Nitrogen oxides
•Phosgene
Similar mechanism to blister agents in that the
compounds areacids or acid-forming, but action
is more pronounced in respiratory system,
flooding it and resulting in suffocation; survivors
often suffer chronic breathing problems.
•Airway irritation
•Eye and skin irritation
•Dyspnea, cough
•Sore throat
•Chest tightness
•Wheezing
•Bronchospasm
Immediate to 3 hours
Non-persistent and an
inhalation hazard.
Lachrymatory
agent
•Tear gas
•Pepper spray
Causes severe stinging of the eyes and
temporary blindness.
Powerful eye irritation Immediate
Non-persistent and an
inhalation hazard.
Incapacitating •Agent 15(BZ)
Causes atropine-like inhibition
of acetylcholine in subject. Causesperipheral
nervous system effects that are the opposite of
those seen in nerve agent poisoning.
•May appear as mass drugintoxication with erratic
behaviors, shared realistic and
distincthallucinations, disrobing andconfusion
•Hyperthermia
•Ataxia (lack of coordination)
•Mydriasis (dilated pupils)
•Dry mouth and skin
•Inhaled: 30 minutes to
20 hours;
•Skin: Up to 36 hours
after skin exposure to
BZ. Duration is
typically 72 to 96
hours.
Extremely persistent in
soil and water and on
most surfaces; contact
hazard.
Cytotoxic proteins
Non-living biological proteins,
such as:
•Ricin
•Abrin
Inhibit protein synthesis
•Latent period of 4-8 hours, followed by flu-like
signs and symptoms
•Progress within 18-24 hours to:
• Inhalation: nausea, cough,dyspne
a, pulmonary edema
• Ingestion: Gastrointestinalhemorr
hage
with emesis andbloody diarrhea;
eventual liverand kidney failure.
4-24 hours;
see symptoms.
Exposure
by inhalation or injectio
n causes more
pronounced signs and
symptoms than
exposure by ingestion
Slight; agents degrade
quickly in environment
Classes of chemical weapon agents

11. Types of Chemical Agents
• Nerve agents
• Blistering Skin Agents (Vesicants)
• Cyanide ( -C≡N )
• Pulmonary Agents
• Tear Agents

12. Nerve Agents
Nerve
Agents
Sarin
Soman
Tabun
VX
Cyclosarin
Inactivates
Cholinesterase
resulting in an
overabundance of of
Acetylcholine which
disrupts neural
regulation to target
organs (#Tucker, 2006).
Miosis
blurred vision
and runny
nose
headache
nausea/vomiti
ng
weak muscles
VX is
extremely
persistent.

13. Blister Agent
•Blister Agents:
A blister agent is a chemical compound that irritates and causes injury to the skin.
These substances also attack the eyes, or any other tissue they contact.
•Sulfer Mustard
Lewiscite
•Penetrate cells and generate a highly toxic reaction that disrupts and kills the cell
(#Emedicine).
•irritates eyes, skin (large, painful blisters develop), nose, and respiratory tract (if
inhaled it can cause asphyxiation).
•Highly persistent and is a contact hazard.

14. Cyanide ( -C≡N )
• Some poison gases, such as chlorine
and hydrogen cyanide, enter the victim’s lungs
during inhalation. On the other hand, nerve
agent droplets might enter through the skin
into the bloodstream and nervous system. Still
other chemicals can be mixed with food in
order to poison enemy personnel when they
take their meals.

15. Pulmonary Agents
•Chlorine
Phosgene
•The compounds are acids or acid-forming, but action is more pronounced in
respiratory system, flooding it and resulting in suffocation; survivors often suffer
chronic breathing problems
•irritates eyes, nose
headache
nausea
choking sensation
•None

16. Tear Agents
Lacrymatory
Agents
Tear Gas
Pepper
Spray
Compound
irritates the
eye causing
temporary
blindness
irritates
eyes, nose
None

17. Phosphorous weapons used by Israel in Palestine

18. Protection Emergency
There are four main cornerstones in the protection against chemical
weapons, all of which are largely dependent upon each other to
provide optimum effect.
These four are:
1. Physical protection: body protection, respiratory protection,
collective protection;
2. Medical protection: pretreatment, therapy;
3. Detection: alarm, monitoring, verification, identification, all-clear;
4. Decontamination: individual decontamination, equipment
decontamination.

19. • The first and most important line of defense against chemical agents is the
individual protection provided by gas masks and protective clothing and the
collective protection of combat vehicles and mobile or fixed shelters.
• Filters for masks and shelters contain specially treated activated charcoal, to
remove vapours, and paper membranes or other materials, to remove
particles. Such filters typically can reduce the concentration of chemical agents
by a factor of at least 100,000. M
• asks can be donned in less than 10 seconds and can be worn for long periods,
even in sleep.
• Modern protective over garments are made of fabric containing activated
charcoal or other adsorptive forms of carbon. A complete suit typically weighs
about 2 kg (4.4 pounds).
• The fabric can breathe and pass water vapour perspiration.
• In warm weather, periods of heavy exertion in full protective gear would have
to be limited in order to avoid heat stress.
• Also, removing such gear in a contaminated environment would raise the risk of
becoming a casualty or fatality, and so gear must be removed within toxic-free
shelters after following decontamination procedures at the shelter entrance.

20. BASIC INITIAL MANAGEMENT
• 1. Cessation of exposure. Extrication is best performed by properly
protected emergency personnel.
• 2. Early pre-hospital decontamination: clothing removal, irrigation
with water, followed by soap and water washing.
• 3. Focus on airway patency, ventilation and circulation, while
surveying for burns, trauma and other injuries.
• 4. Consult the regional poison center to assist with syndrome-based
therapy.
• 5. Stockpile essential antidotes in advance: diazepam for
convulsions, cyanide antidote kits, and atropine and pralidoxime (2-
protopam) for treating cholinesterase inhibitors.

21. Antidotes
• An antidote is a substance which can
counteract a form of poisoning
• List of Antidotes used against various chemical
weapons attacks is given below.

22. Agent Indication
100% oxygen or hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) carbon monoxide poisoning and cyanide poisoning
Activated charcoal with sorbital used for many oral toxins
Adenosine Theophylline antidote for adenosine poisoning
Atropine
organophosphate and carbamate insecticides, nerve agents,
some mushrooms
Beta blocker theophylline
Calcium chloride calcium channel blockers, black widow spider bites
Calcium gluconate hydrofluoric acid
Chelators such as EDTA, dimercaprol (BAL), penicillamine, and 2,3-
dimercaptosuccinic acid (DMSA, succimer)
heavy metal poisoning
Cyanide antidote (amyl nitrite, sodium nitrite, or thiosulfate) cyanide poisoning
Cyproheptadine serotonin syndrome
Deferoxamine mesylate Iron poisoning
Digoxin Immune Fab antibody (Digibind and Digifab) digoxin poisoning
Diphenhydramine hydrochloride and benztropine mesylate Extrapyramidal reactions associated with antipsychotic
Ethanol or fomepizole ethylene glycol poisoning and methanol poisoning
Flumazenil benzodiazepine poisoning
Glucagon beta blocker poisoning and calcium channel blocker poisoning
Insulin with Glucagon beta blocker poisoning and calcium channel blocker poisoning
Leucovorin methotrexate and trimethoprim
Methylene blue treatment of conditions that cause methemoglobinemia
N-acetylcysteine Paracetamol (acetaminophen) poisoning
Naloxone hydrochloride opioid poisoning
Octreotide oral hypoglycemic agents
Physostigmine sulfate anticholinergic poisoning
Phytomenadione (vitamin K) and fresh frozen plasma warfarin poisoning and indanedione
Pralidoxime chloride (2-PAM) organophosphate insecticides, followed after atropine
Protamine sulfate Heparin poisoning
Prussian blue Thallium poisoning
Pyridoxine Isoniazid poisoning, ethylene glycol
Sodium bicarbonate ASA, TCAs with a wide QRS

23. Auto Injection
• An autoinjector (or auto-injector) is
a medical device designed to deliver a
single dose of a particular (typically life-
saving) drug.
• Most autoinjectors are spring-
loaded syringes. By design,
autoinjectors are easy to use and are
intended for self-administration by
patients, or administration by untrained
personnel. The site of injection depends
on the drug loaded, but it typically is
administered into the thigh or
thebuttocks. The injectors were initially
designed to overcome the hesitation
associated with self-administration of
the needle-based drug delivery device.

24. Masks

25. Protective Garment

26. Wind Direction
• During the target analysis phase of planning chemical weapons employment, the
effect of the current wind conditions, and the terrain in the target area must be
given proper consideration.
• These two influences can mean the difference between a successful chemical
operation and a disaster.
• Regardless of who fires the weapon delivering the agent, if the wind or
• terrain carries the agent or vapor hazard into friendly position, unprotected
personnel will become casualties.
For this reason,
it is important to know how far and in what direction a chemical cloud will travel.
To determine the distance and direction of travel of a chemical cloud, you must be
able to:
• Determine the wind direction,
• Determine the wind speed,
• Assess the dissipation effect of wind on a chemical cloud

27. Chemical agent monitor
The Chemical Agent Monitor (CAM) is a proven
product - the first mass produced, reliable
hand-held chemical monitor for the
detection of nerve or blister agents or liquid
agent contamination.
More than 70,000 CAMS have now been
deployed and are in service with Armed
Forces, civil defence personnel and first
responder organisations worldwide.

28. Thank you
• Q/A..??
Email: saadawkhan@yahoo.com
Cell: 0333-3235554, 0313-2338340
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