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BLISTER AGENT EXPOSURE

BLISTER AGENT EXPOSURE. CA147. OBJECTIVES. Identify the specific signs and symptoms of sulfur mustard agent exposure Identify the specific signs and symptoms of Lewisite exposure. CA148. BLISTER AGENTS. Destroy individual cells in target tissue Blisters (vesicles) most noticeable effect

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BLISTER AGENT EXPOSURE

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  1. BLISTER AGENTEXPOSURE CA147

  2. OBJECTIVES • Identify the specific signs and symptoms of sulfur mustard agent exposure • Identify the specific signs and symptoms of Lewisite exposure CA148

  3. BLISTER AGENTS • Destroy individual cells in target tissue • Blisters (vesicles) most noticeable effect • Sulfur mustard and Lewisite in Army’s inventory • Lewisite stored only at Deseret Chemical Depot Blister CA149

  4. HOW BLISTER AGENTS WORK • Designed to inflict wartime casualties • Affect skin tissue and especially harsh on soft membranes • eyes – lung tissue • mouth tissue – throat tissue • Sulfur mustard greatest effect on warm, moist surfaces • mucous membranes – armpits • groin – buttocks • knees and elbows creases – fold of neck CA150

  5. BLISTER AGENT EXPOSURE • Liquid and vapors create extreme hazards • The greater absorbed dose, the greater severity of skin and tissue damage • Delayed reaction with little or no pain • Burning, stinging, redness, or blisters usually delayed between 2 to 36 hours for sulfur mustard • usually apparent between 4 - 8 hours • Immediate pain for Lewisite CA151

  6. ROUTES OF EXPOSURE • Inhalation • Ingestion • Direct Contact CA152

  7. INHALATION OF BLISTER AGENT • Vapors enter body through respiratory system • Direct access to lining of nose, throat, and bronchial tubes • warm, moist membranes most vulnerable • Prolonged exposure destroys mucous membrane lining • internal inflammation • bleeding that may lead to later infection of airways and lungs • Most damage to upper airways • with heavy exposure, lung’s air sacs are injured and fill with fluids Damage to air sacs may cause lungs to fill with fluids CA153

  8. DIRECT CONTACT WITHBLISTER AGENT • Skin surface or eye touches liquid agent, surface where agent was deposited, or agent vapor • Broken blister fluid non-irritating • Does not cause blistering upon contact with skin • Warmth and moisture increase effects • between toes • behind knees • groin • armpits • behind ears CA154

  9. INGESTION OF BLISTER AGENT • Swallowing contaminated food, drink, placing contaminated items in mouth, or incidental hand-to-mouth contact • Unlikely agent will contaminate food or drink CA155

  10. SULFUR MUSTARD CA156

  11. SULFUR MUSTARDSIGNS AND SYMPTOMS • Severity of symptoms and how rapidly they develop greatly influenced by weather conditions • hot, humid weather increases action of sulfur mustard • Signs and symptoms characteristically delayed for hours CA157

  12. SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS OFSULFUR MUSTARD EXPOSURE • Eye Irritation/Inflammation • Photophobia • Reddening of Exposed Skin • Blisters • Inflammation of Respiratory Tract • Gastrointestinal Effects • Systemic Effects CA158

  13. FACTORS AFFECTING SULFUR MUSTARD SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS • Characteristically delayed • may appear within 1 - 2 hours with large exposure or if weather hot and humid • Reaction time depends on the • type of agent • amount of agent person has been exposed to • dose (how much a person has absorbed) • duration of exposure • route of exposure • sensitivity of person’s system CA159

  14. FACTORS AFFECTING SULFUR MUSTARD SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS • Inhalation of sulfur mustard causes quicker reaction than direct contact exposure • agent absorbed much faster in warm, moist areas of respiratory tract, nose, mouth, bronchial tubes Effects greatest in warm, moist areas of respiratory tract CA160

  15. FACTORS AFFECTING SULFURMUSTARD SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS • Inhalation exposure effects occur after few hours • accompanied by sneezing, coughing, and inflammation of trachea and bronchi • Direct contact exposure effects usually delayed • absorption may continue for hours even after decontamination Not all signs and symptoms may appear . . . Dose, duration, and route of exposure make a difference CA161

  16. OTHER POSSIBLE CAUSES • Signs and symptoms may also be caused by • hay fever • burns (chemical, thermal, sun) • tear gas exposure • poison ivy, poison oak, and other contact allergies • certain drugs CA162

  17. INITIAL FIRST AID TREATMENT FORSULFUR MUSTARD EXPOSURE • Immediate removal from source of exposure • Decontamination through washing and diluting • Airway management may be needed as signs/symptoms develop CA163

  18. TREATMENT FOR EYE CONTACT • Speed Critical • irreversible eye damage may be done very quickly • flush eyes immediately with water • tilt head to side • pulling eyelids apart with uncontaminated fingers • pouring water slowly into eyes • Do not cover eyes with bandages • Dark or opaque glasses shield eyes from light and provide relief from photophobia CA164

  19. TREATMENT FOR SKIN CONTACTWITH SULFUR MUSTARD Decontaminate, paying special attention to eyelids neck creases armpits behind knee between toes around the ears inside nose inside mouth groin CA165

  20. LEWISITE CA166

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