© 1999 lockheed martin energy research corporation ca147 blister agent exposure

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© 1999 Lockheed Martin Energy Research Corporation CA147 BLISTER AGENT EXPOSURE

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© 1999 Lockheed Martin Energy Research Corporation CA147

BLISTER AGENT

EXPOSURE

© 1999 Lockheed Martin Energy Research Corporation

• Identify the specific signs and symptoms of sulfur mustard agent exposure

• Identify the specific signs and symptoms of Lewisite exposure

CA148

OBJECTIVES

© 1999 Lockheed Martin Energy Research Corporation

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

CA149

Blister

© 1999 Lockheed Martin Energy Research Corporation CA150

• 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

HOW BLISTER AGENTS WORK

© 1999 Lockheed Martin Energy Research Corporation CA151

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

© 1999 Lockheed Martin Energy Research Corporation CA152

ROUTES OF EXPOSURE

• Inhalation

• Ingestion

• Direct Contact

© 1999 Lockheed Martin Energy Research Corporation CA153

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 fluidsDamage to air sacs may cause

lungs to fill with fluids

© 1999 Lockheed Martin Energy Research Corporation CA154

DIRECT CONTACT WITH

BLISTER 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

© 1999 Lockheed Martin Energy Research Corporation

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

© 1999 Lockheed Martin Energy Research Corporation

SULFUR MUSTARD

CA156

© 1999 Lockheed Martin Energy Research Corporation

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

© 1999 Lockheed Martin Energy Research Corporation

SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS OFSULFUR MUSTARD

EXPOSURE

• Eye Irritation/Inflammation• Photophobia• Reddening of Exposed Skin• Blisters• Inflammation of Respiratory Tract• Gastrointestinal Effects• Systemic Effects

CA158

© 1999 Lockheed Martin Energy Research Corporation

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

© 1999 Lockheed Martin Energy Research Corporation

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

CA160

Effects greatest in warm, moist areas of respiratory tract

© 1999 Lockheed Martin Energy Research Corporation

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

CA161

Not all signs and symptoms may appear . . .

Dose, duration, and route of exposure make a difference

© 1999 Lockheed Martin Energy Research Corporation CA162

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

© 1999 Lockheed Martin Energy Research Corporation

• Immediate removal from source of exposure• Decontamination through washing and diluting• Airway management may be needed as

signs/symptoms develop

CA163

INITIAL FIRST AID TREATMENT FOR

SULFUR MUSTARD EXPOSURE

© 1999 Lockheed Martin Energy Research Corporation CA164

TREATMENT FOR EYE CONTACT

• Speed CriticalSpeed 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

© 1999 Lockheed Martin Energy Research Corporation

TREATMENT FOR SKIN CONTACT

WITH SULFUR MUSTARD

around the ears

inside nose

inside mouth

groin

eyelids

neck creases

armpits

behind knee

between toes

CA165

Decontaminate, paying special attention toDecontaminate, paying special attention to

© 1999 Lockheed Martin Energy Research Corporation CA166

LEWISITE