Agenda

1. An Overview of Chemical and Biological WarfarePresented byCPT Michael A. LaddSGT Lisa LyonUnited States Army Chemical School

2. Chemical Warfare Biological Warfare Question and Answer Period Agenda

3. 1915 Ypres, France (WWI) No major military use of chem in WWII, but research completed by Germans Some use of chem during Vietnam (Agent Orange, BZ, CS, etc.) Use of nerve agent during Iran/Iraq War Gulf War Tokyo Subway Attack Brief History of Chemical Warfare

4. EXERPT FROM: THE HUMAN COST, The Aum Shinrikyo victims have their sayBy Kavitha Rao and Murakami Mutsuko / Tokyo Ohashi Kenji, 41: “When he boarded the train, he saw one male passenger slumped in his seat and a woman doubled over.He sensed a strange smell, "sweet as if something was rotten.”Ohashi took a seat and fell into a brief sleep. When he woke up, he was thirsty and started coughing. His legs began trembling. Everything was black around him and he could hardly breathe. He was rushed to hospital, where he stayed for 12 days.”

5. CHEMICAL AGENTS DEFINED: “Any chemicalsubstance which is intended for use in Military and Civilian Operations to kill, seriously injure orincapacitateman because of its physiological effects.”

6. PERSISTENCY OF AGENTS General description of how long a chemical agent remains dangerous after it’s release / employment. Two categories: PERSISTANT (“P-Chem”) And NON-PERSISTANT (“NP-Chem”)

7. PERSISTENT CHEMICAL AGENTS Long-Duration Agents (hours or days) used to: • Deny terrain (channelize attacking forces, protect flanks, defend avenues of approach) • Contaminate terrain & material (roads, key terrain or facilities) • Degrade efficiency (forcing extended operations in protective posture) • Neutralize defending strong-points

8. PERSISTENT CHEMICAL AGENTS • Usually appear as an oily, thick liquid in pools, scattereddroplets, or puddles • Collect in low-lying areas • Mix with topsoil, mud & standing water, easily spread by traffic (“Gross Contamination”) • High contact hazard • Low to medium vapor hazard (depending on temperature)

9. NONPERSISTENT CHEMICAL AGENTS • Short-duration agents (minutes or less than one hour in open air conditions) used to: • Create favorable fighting conditions • Produce casualties • Degrade or suppress • Occupy without need of decontamination

10. NONPERSISTENT CHEMICAL AGENTS • Usually a colorless, odorless (or faint odor) gas or vapor • Same physical behavior as smoke or fog- travel in clouds with prevailing wind currents, weather conditions will determine spread • Weather away easily- not a source of Gross Contamination • High vapor & contact hazard • Blood, choking, psychochemical and nerve agents are stockpiled in the largest quantities, highest probability of acquisition by terrorist groups • Present highest “payoff” in terms of mass casualties in population centers

11. Blood Blister Nerve Choking Vomiting Incapacitating CLASSIFICATION OF TOXIC MILITARY CHEMICAL AGENTS

12. BLOOD AGENTS

13. Blood BLOOD AGENTS: Poisons enzyme cytochrome oxidase thus blocking the use of oxygen in the cells.

14. BLOOD AGENTS PREVENT CELL RESPIRATION AND THE TRANSFER OF OXYGEN FROM THE BLOOD. OVER- OXYGENATED BLOOD CAUSES CHANGE IN COLOR (Pale to Bluish-tinge visible on the skin). Physiological Effects

15. Physiological Effects • EYES Moderate toxicity • RESPIRATORY SYS. ENTERS BODY AS VAPOR OR GAS • SKIN Not readily absorbed

16. AC HYDROGEN CYANIDE CK CYANOGEN CHLORIDE CATEGORIES OF BLOOD AGENTS Absorbed primarily by breathing

17. AC CHARACTERISTICS • Appearance: • Colorless liquid or gas • Odor: • Bitter Almonds • Protection: • Protective Mask • See Note:

18. Rate of Action…..Rapid. Death w/in 15 min. Persistency…..Short. Dissipates quickly in air. Use Designation: Quick acting casualty agent. AC CHARACTERISTICS

19. AC SYMPTOMS: HIGH CONCENTRATIONS • Increased heart rate • Violent convulsions • Breathing stops 1 min • Heart stops in 2 min.

20. AC SYMPTOMS: MODERATE CONCENTRATIONS • Dizziness • Nausea • Headache ***All appear rapidly • ALSO: • Convulsions • Death

21. LACK OF OXYGEN TO THE MUSCLES IRRATIONALITY COMA AND CONVULSIONS AC SYMPTOMS LONG EXPOSURE

22. Appearance: Colorless, highly volatile liquid or gas Odor: Pungent, biting; may go unnoticed Rate of Action: Very rapid. Immediate intense irritation Protection: Mask (may damage filters) CK CHARACTERISTICS

23. CK • Persistency: Short (may persist in jungles) • Use Designation: Quick acting

24. CK IS CONVERTED BY THE BODY TO AC WITH IRRITATING EFFECTS LIKE CS *Immediate intense irritation (nose/throat) *Coughing, tight chest,heavy water flow from the eyes *Dizziness and unconsciousness *Breathing may stop/Death *Convulsions, involuntary urination/defecate. CK SYMPTOMS

25. Continue Normal Activities General Rule of thumb- after 5 min of exposure, anyone still breathing / ambulatory requires no first aid Seek Medical Attention Oxygen therapy Keep warm and rested FIRST AID - BLOOD AGENTS

26. BLISTER AGENTS: These agents cause inflammation, blisters and general destruction of tissues. Vulnerable areas include the eyes, mucous membranes and respiratory tract. Blister

27. All Blister Agents are PERSISTENT MUSTARDS ARSENICALS URTICANTS BLISTER AGENTS

28. ACTION ON THE BODY PHYSIOLOGICAL Damage ANY TISSUE they come in contact with, specific damage to: • EYES • LUNGS and RESPIRATORY SYSTEM • Causes Vomiting & Diarrhea

29. Penetration of the body Eyes, skin, respiratory and digestive tracts. Symptoms: There are distinct differences among each type. ACTION ON THE BODY

30. (H - HD - HN - HN1 - HN2 - HN3) APPEARANCE (20 deg C / 68 deg F) HD…colorless to pale yellow HN SERIES…dark liquid Freezing point of Mustard Agents is 56-57 deg F MUSTARD AGENTCHARACTERISTICS

31. CHARACTERISTICS • Odors: • HD - Strong garlic / horseradish smell • HN-1 - Faint fishy / musty smell • HN-2 - Soapy smell (low concentrations) • Fruity smell (high concentrations) • HN-3 - No detection by smell (if pure)

32. Vapor Density: 5 to 7 times heavier than air Body Effects…irritation to eyes, tissues, and respiratory tract. Rate of Effectiveness….Delayed Duration…..Several days under normal conditions CHARACTERISTICS

33. CHARACTERISTICS • Protection LEVEL A OR MOPP IV • Persistency Depends on quantity. Weeks to months in cold. • Use Delayed acting • First Aid Do not break blisters; if in eyes use water; decon with M258A1/M291

34. LATENT PHASE 4 - 6 HOURS ERYTHEMA PHASE Red Skin with itching VESSICATION PHASE Blisters from 12 - 24 hours NECROSIS Tissues die and decay PHASES OF HD

35. SYMPTOMS FOR MUSTARD AGENTS EYES- most susceptible. Immediate burning sensation, swelling of tissue 1-12 hours, burns & lacerations SKIN- affected more by hot, humid weather & direct contact (e.g., sitting / standing in agent) Lungs- delayed action (days to weeks), cumulative dose poison, increased respiratory infections

36. FIRST AID FOR MUSTARD AGENTS IMMEDIATE & Continuous Flushing of the Eyes: 86% of all Blister Agent Casualties exhibit contamination in the eyes Triage- Note exposure possibility for evaluation at Treatment Center: 75% of all Blister Agent Casualties experience latent onset (18-36 hours)effects upon the respiratory tract

37. ARSENICALS L - HL - PD - ED - MD

38. CHARACTERISTICS • ODORS • L - Variable • HL - Garlic • PD - None • ED - Fruity / Biting (irritating) • MD- NONE L - HL - PD - ED - MD Persistency: Persistent Physical States: L - Colorless to brownish liquid HL - Dark oily liquid PD - Colorless liquid ED - Colorless liquid MD - Colorless liquid

39. Immediate pain (within 30 seconds) Irritation of eyes Reddening of the skin (within 30 minutes) Blisters appear (within 48 hours) Systemic poisoning ARSENICAL AGENT SYMPTOMS

40. Primary Hazard: Eyes & respiratory tract (vapors) Skin (direct contact) Digestive system (ingestion) Rate of Action: Eye effects & stinging sensation (immediate) Prompt, burning redness within 30 minutes Blisters on 1st or 2nd day Pain / necrosis more severe than with mustards ARSENICALS

41. URTICANTS CX Phosgene Oxime

42. Rate of Action: Immediate Primary Hazards: Eyes, nose & respiratory tract (vapors) Skin (direct contact) Digestive tract (digestion) SYMPTOMS IMMEDIATE Strong irritation of mucous membranes Stinging sensation (bee sting) Blanching of skin Eyes, nose & skin Surrounded by reddening (within 30 secs) Wheal forms (in about 30 mins) Blanched area turns brown (24 hrs) Sloughs off (couple weeks) URTICANTS

43. NERVE AGENTS

44. NERVE AGENTS: Inhibits cholinesterase enzymes thus allowing acetylcholine (a neurotransmitter) to collect at its various sites of action. Can be inhaled, ingested or absorbed through the skin. Nerve

45. Nerve Agents are potent inhibitors of the enzyme cholinesterase. This inhibition permits the build-up in the body of Acetylcholine, a muscle and nerve ending stimulator. The major effects will be on skeletal muscles, parasympathetic end organs, and the central nervous system. ACTION ON THE BODY (PHYSIOLOGICAL)

46. Penetration Eyes: Symptoms appear in 2-3 minutes. Kills nearly as rapidly as respiratory exposure. Respiratory System: Symptoms appear in 2-5 minutes, lethal dose kills in less than 15 minutes. Skin: Symptoms occur slowly; Lethal doses 1-2 hours; Sweating and tremors may occur. ACTION ON THE BODY

47. UNEXPLAINED RUNNY NOSE UNEXPLAINED HEADACHE EXCESSIVE SALIVA FLOW TIGHTNESS OF CHEST DIFFICULTY SEEING MUSCULAR TWITCHING STOMACH CRAMPS NAUSEA NERVE AGENT SYMPTOMS (MILD)

48. STRANGE/CONFUSED BEHAVIOR GURGLING SOUNDS WHEN BREATHING SEVERELY PINPOINTED PUPILS RED EYES WITH TEARING VOMITING SEVERE MUSCULAR TWITCHING LOSS OF BLADDER CONTROL CONVULSIONS UNCONSCIOUSNESS NERVE AGENT SYMPTOMS (SEVERE)

49. Non-Persistent Nerve Agent Appearance…..brownish to colorless liquid Odor…..faintly fruity; none when pure Vapor density: 5.63 times heavier than air. TABUN - GA

50. GA • Persistency…..depends on weather and munitions; 1-2 days for heavily splashed liquids. • Use Designation: Quick acting casualty agent • Rate of Action: Very rapid; w/in 15 min for lethal dose • Protection • LEVEL A OR MOPP IV; clothing gives off vapor