ABSTRACT
Guides for Emergency Response: Chemical Agent or Weapon: Arsine Agent: Blood agents are substances that injure a person by interfering with cell respiration (the exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide between blood and tissues). Potential blood agents that might be used as weapons of mass destruction (WMD) are listed in a standard format. Two agents are of most concern, hydrogen cyanide (AC) and cyanogen chloride (CK). Th ese blood agents have a very high vapor pressure which causes the rapid evaporation of the liquid aft er exposure. Such vaporization greatly reduces the chance of a liquid exposure. Th e high vapor pressure of AC and/or CK distributed will quickly expand outward and up, and high volatility will quickly cause the vapor to lose its lethal concentration near the delivery point. Because of quick dissipation of the vapor, AC and/or CK are called non-persistent agents. Cyanide causes few signs and symptoms in humans. Death occurs within a few minutes upon inhalation of a large amount, while inhalation of low concentration will be less severe. Th e only aid for a person exposed to either AC or CK is to don a protective mask. Rapid onset of symptoms may make medical assistance of no valid use since they occur in a very short time period and patients could rapidly succumb to death.
