Chemical and Biological Attacks, Detection & Response

Quick Summary of FAQ:

Chemical and biological weapons are some of the most dangerous chemicals and diseases known to man. In modern
times, these weapons are at the forefront of terrorist and military threats to our safety.
Recently, these weapons came to the center of American consciousness. Chemical and biological warfare, or CBW, is
considered a "poor man's nuke," for the cheapness and ease of manufacture, and the indiscriminate carnage and terror
they can cause.
The 'good news' is; that awareness, early detection, and protective measures against exposure, can be successfully
accomplished, even in an ongoing developing emergency, when armed with the proper knowledge and preparations. Read
The New York Times #1 Bestseller book "Germs" for a primer on what we are all up against here. See below here the
different Chemical & Biological Detection that is available to the Public and First-Responders here.
Q: What are Chemical Weapons and Their Effects?
A: Chemical weapons are organic and inorganic chemical substances that are harmful to humans. There are several
different types of chemical agents. All work in a different manner, but are the same in one facet, in high enough
concentration, they will all kill humans.

Nerve Agents: These are agents such VX, Sarin, Soman, and Tabun. These agents are organophosphates, a type of
chemical usually used as insecticide. These agents cause the victim to go through failure of the Central Nervous
System. The agent interferes with enzymes in the brain, like all organophosphates. The agent causes convulsions,
drooling, involuntary defecation and/or urination, running nose, etc. The convulsions can be so severe that they
break bones. Eventually, the agent causes the heart to stop, and the victim dies.
Vesicants (Blister Agents): These are agents such as Sulfur-Mustards, Phosgene Oxime, Nitrogen-Mustards,
Lewisite, Mustard-Lewisite, etc. Vesicants are all common in the fact that they burn and blister the lungs, skin, and
eyes. When these agents come into contact with tissue, they create terrible burns and blisters, which are extremely
painful. A victim can killed by a vesicant when blisters are created in the lungs. When the blisters burst, they fill the
lungs with fluid, and the victim drowns to death in the fluid.
Blood agents: These are agents like Cyanogen Chloride and Hydrogen Cyanide. They act to poison the blood, and
act quickly, like nerve agents, within about five minutes. Coma and convulsions usually precede death of the
victim.
Choking Agents: These are agents such as Ammonia, Chlorine, and Phosgene. These agents cause damage to the
lungs, where the lungs fill with fluid and the victim drowns to death, much like vesicants.

All of these agents are extremely dangerous, and all are a very painful way to die. It should be mentioned, that many other
deadly chemicals reside in our nation's chemical industries, and sabotage of these plants is a distinct possibility.
Chemical weapons are NOT gasses, as they are frequently called. They are either in liquid form (A good comparison would
be small droplets of Karo syrup or molasses.) or aerosol (A good comparison would be a cleaner or disinfectant in a spray
can.) form.
All of these weapons can effectively be defended against with protective equipment.
Chemical Agent Name

Agent Type

Physical Properties

Physiological Effects

Relative Rate of Action

Chlorine

Choking

Pungent odor,
greenish-yellow
heavier than air gas.

Corrosive to eyes,
skin and respiratory
tract. Burning
sensation followed by
coughing, headache,
labored breathing and
nausea. Pulmonary
edema.

Immediate irritation in
high concentrations.
Symptoms of lung
edema may take
several hours to
appear.

Hydrogen Cyanide

Blood

Almond odor, highly

volatile gas.

If high concentration
violent convolutions
after 20-30 seconds,
breathing stops in one
minute; cardiac failure
occurs within a few
minutes.

Very rapid;
incapacitation within
minutes and death
within 15 minutes.

Lewisite

Blister

Colorless, oily liquid

with little odor in its
pure states. Amber to
geranium-like odor
with amber to darkbrown color in less
pure form.

Stinging pain followed

by blistering. It is also
a systemic poison
causing pulmonary
edema, diarrhea,
hypotension and
restlessness.

Initial pain in 10-20

seconds; blistering
within 12 hours

Mustard

Blister

Possible garlic odor,

medium volatility, oily
liquid.

Blisters or irritation to
skin, eyes and lungs.

Delayed onset (4-6

hours)

Phosgene

Choking

Fresh cut hay odor,

heavy gas.

Coughing and choking

followed by chest
tightness, nausea,
tearing, vomiting and
headaches. Death due
to fluid accumulation
in the lungs.

Immediate irritation in
high concentrations,
and delayed reaction
(several hours) in low
concentration

Sarin

Nerve

Colorless/odorless,
volatile liquid.

Difficulty breathing,
miosis, blurred vision,
headache and nausea
leading to respiratory
distress, convolutions
and eventually death.

Rapid (within minutes).

Tabun

Nerve

Clear, odorless,
tasteless liquid with a
slight fruity odor

Difficulty breathing,
miosis, blurred vision,
headache and nausea
leading to respiratory
distress, convulsions
and eventually death.

Rapid (within minutes).

VX

Nerve

Colorless/odorless,
low volatility, oily

Difficulty breathing,
miosis, blurred vision,

Relatively rapid (within

30 minutes).

liquid.

Symptom

Nerve
Agents

Mustard
Agents

headache and nausea

leading to respiratory
distress, convulsions
and eventually death.

Organoarsine
Blister Agents

Halogenated
Oximes

Blood
Agents

Choking
Agents

Convulsions

Pinpoint Pupils

Sweating

Runny nose

Drooling

Chest pain

Wheezing

Frothy sputum
Cyanosis

Bradycardia
Tachycardia

Rapid, deep
breathing
Loss of bowel
and bladder
control
Blister
formation**

X
X

X
X

Immediate pain
on exposure

X
X

Whether the heartrate is fast or slow will depend on the particular agent and on on how long it has been since the exposure.
Blisters may also form as a result of thermal injuries or of exposure to agents such as T2 toxin. Thermal injuries may be differentiated
by history or evidence on the scene; toxin effects are generally accompanied by by symptoms such as fever or chills.
**

Bottom Line: Chemical weapons can be considered akin to an insecticide for humans. In fact, German scientists
researching new insecticides before World War II discovered the first nerve agents.
Q: What are Biological Weapons and Their Effects?
A: Biological weapons are diseases harnessed by man as a military weapon. Many diseases have been mentioned as being
possible BW agents. However, the most mentioned are Anthrax, Venezuelan Equine Encephalitis, Botulinum toxin, Plague,
Ricin, and Smallpox.
Biological weapons can be bacteria, viruses, or toxins, and essentially are nothing more than intentionally spread disease.
The BW agents mentioned above are selected for their characteristics, including ease of manufacture, incubation period,
resistance to treatment, method of dispersal, hardiness in different environments, lethality, and contagiousness. There is
evidence Soviet scientists genetically altered diseases at their BW laboratories, making diseases even more lethal and
resistant to treatment.

It should be noted, toxins are much like chemical weapons, except that they are made from biological sources.
It cannot be assumed that a BW agent can be treated. As stated in the last paragraph, some of these diseases have been
altered to resist treatment, and some diseases, mostly viruses, have no cure. As with chemical weapons, the best defence
against these agents is protective equipment and good hygiene.
Biological weapons are disseminated in either aerosol, liquid, or powdered form.
Anthrax attack could kill 123,000
BBC News, March 18, 2003
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/2857207.stm
An anthrax weapon aimed at a major city could kill at least 123,000 people even if every victim received treatment, experts
have calculated. US researchers have used a computer model to predict the devastation that would result from the launch
of an anthrax bomb or missile on a city the size of New York.
The figures are based on what would happen if a bomb containing 1 kilogram of anthrax spores was dropped on a city of 10
million inhabitants.
The projected number of fatalities is based on the assumption that antibiotics would not be administered for 48 hours until
the first symptoms appeared.
If it proved possible to distribute drugs more quickly, then the death toll could be substantially reduced.
However, they warn that inadequacies in the current US emergency response plan may make such a rapid response
unlikely.
Lead researcher Dr Lawrence Wein, from the Graduate School of Business at Stanford University, California, said: "The first
people develop symptoms within two days of exposure, and many more would develop symptoms over the next week.
"Our response needs to be measured in hours, not in days or weeks."
Intensive care
Five of the 11 people who inhaled anthrax during the 2001 attacks on the US postal system died despite intensive treatment
by large teams of doctors.
The researchers recommend distributing anti-anthrax antibiotics such as Cipro in advance of any major attack.
If this was not possible, then the aim should be to distribute antibiotics to everyone infected within 12 hours.
In the case of an attack on New York City, that would mean supplying the drugs to 1.5 million people.
The only way to do this would be to increase the number of available health professionals dramatically.
The researchers estimate that to keep the death toll down to about 1,000, one health professional would be required for
every 700 people in the affected population.
This could only be achieved by training non-emergency medical staff and making maximum use of military personnel and
volunteers.
Similar findings

Dr Robert Spencer, an infection control expert at the UK Public Health Laboratory Service, told BBC News Online that the
conclusions were similar to those reached by research carried out by the World Health Organization in 1970.
However, he said it was very difficult to determine what would happen should weapons grade anthrax be released on a city,
not least because of weather patterns, and the complex effect of wind distribution in a built up area.
Dr Spencer said the only recorded case of anthrax release, from a Soviet installation in 1974, had resulted in surprisingly
few cases of illness.
"It would be very difficult to disprove what they are saying," he said. "My personal feeling is that anthrax is not a weapon of
mass destruction, but a weapon of mass hysteria.
"Terrorists like bombs, they know what happens when they cause an explosion, and can make predictions based on that."
Dr Spencer also said that to stock up on vaccines and antibiotics to combat a possible anthrax attack would be to drain
resources away from more certain demands for health care.
The research is published in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.

Bottom Line: Biological weapons are simply diseases. Some have been altered to be more virulent, but all are just the same
diseases the world has confronted for years. Remember, smallpox used to be occurring in epidemic proportions before the
smallpox vaccine.

And, plague wiped out over a third of Europe's population during the Black Death. These diseases, for the most part, are
nothing new.

Q: How Will I Know a Biological or Chemical Attack Has Occurred?

A: Biological and chemical attacks exhibit many distinct characteristics.

Dead animals/birds/fish: Numerous animals dead in the same area.

Blisters/rashes: Many individuals experiencing unexplained rashes, bee-sting like blisters, and/or watery blisters.
Mass casualties: Many persons exhibiting unexplained serious health problems ranging from disorientation and nausea to
breathing difficulty, convulsions, and death.
Unusual metal debris: Unexplained munitions like material, especially if liquid is contained. (No rain recently.)
Unexplained odors: Smells may range from fruity to flowery to pungent/sharp, to horseradish/garlic-like to peach kernels/bitter
almonds to new mown hay. It should be noted, that the smell should be completely out of sync with its surroundings. (I.E. The
smell of hay in an urban area.)
Low-lying clouds: Low-lying fog/cloud-like condition not explained by surroundings.
Definite pattern of casualties: Casualties distributed in a pattern that may be associated with possible agent dissemination
methods.
Illness associated with a confined geographic area: Lower rates of illness for people working outdoors versus indoors or
indoors versus outdoors.
Lack of insect life: Normal insect activity is missing. Check ground/shore line/water surface for dead insects. Also look for
dead animals/birds/fish.
Unusual liquid droplets: Many surfaces exhibit oily droplets or film. (No rain recently.)
Unusual spraying: Unexplained spraying of an aerosol or liquid by vehicles, persons, or aircraft.

Besides these symptoms, you can use chemical detection equipment to detect a chemical attack, but usually not a biological one easily.
To detect a biological attack, you must look for the signs of dispersal, such as unusual clouds, spraying, etc.
The government may be able to provide early warning of an attack via the Emergency Alert System (EAS). Having a NOAA weather radio
with alarm in your house or on your person may be yet another option to help detect a chemical or biological attack, as well as alerting
you to many other emergencies. Still, remember that the government may not know of an attack and broadcast an alert before your
chemical detector itself alerts. So, do not rely entirely on EAS, but rely upon your observations and your chemical detector.
Bottom Line: Chemical and biological attacks can be detected early, by watching for signs of dispersal, dead insects/animals, sick and
injured people, etc. The government's Emergency Alert System (EAS) may also be of value in alerting you to an attack. Chemical attacks
can also be detected with inexpensive chemical detection gear.

Q: Why Do I Need Chemical and/or Biological Detection Equipment?

A: How do you know if you will notice the characteristics of a chemical or biological attack in time? We may miss the crop duster
spraying overhead, or not notice a plethora of dead insects
That's why chemical detection equipment is key. Unlike us, they can remain on alert 24/7. Once your chemical detection equipment
detects an agent, you can take immediate protective measures against the agent.
M-9 tape and M-8 paper, the more common pieces of chemical detection equipment, and sold below, only detect several nerve agents
and one type of vesicant. They do not detect other types of chemical weapons such as choking or blood agents, or other types of
vesicants like Phosgene Oxime. Furthermore, M-8 and M-9 paper only detects liquid agents, not aerosols or extremely small liquid
droplets.
M-256A1 kits are another matter. The M-256A1 has special test tickets that will detect aerosolized nerve, blood, and blister agents, as
well as a booklet of M-8 paper for liquid agent detection.
Now, these different types of equipment may be somewhat confusing. To put it simply, M-8 and M-9 paper is used mostly as a "24/7"
detector, always ready to detect agents. M-8 and M-9 paper are not the most accurate pieces of equipment, and since they do not detect
aerosolized agents (As described in a previous topic.), the M-256A1 kit was designed. The M-256A1 kit is used when a chemical attack is

suspected, and M-8 and M-9 paper is not detecting anything, to confirm the results of M-8 and M-9 paper, and to determine when it is
safe to unmask or leave the safe room. The M-256A1 kit is the best chemical detector besides the large, expensive air sampling
equipment used in the military's FOX NBC defense vehicle. There is more info on the use of chemical detection equipment in the next
section.
Important Note: Chemical detection equipment ONLY detects some of the more common chemical weapons, it does NOT detect
biological weapons. Anthrax detection kits are available here, but these are not for the untrained public.
Both chemical detection equipment and Anthrax test kits are available below here. Along with the section following it entitled; What are
some practical strategies for employing these M8, M9, M256A1 Chem Detectors & the Anthrax test kit?

Q: Okay, I Know a Chemical or Biological Attack has Occurred or is Underway: What Now?
A: You must immediately take protective measures to keep yourself from being contaminated with the agent.
There are two schools of thought when it comes to protection against CBW agents: Safe rooms, or protective masks and suits.

The military uses protective masks and suits, mainly because soldiers can't stay in a room to wait until the agent is no longer dangerous
while fighting a war. Protective masks, like the M-95 shown above, and suits can be worn for many hours, especially if you were smart
enough to buy a protective mask with a drinking system. A protective mask alone is not appropriate, as chemical weapons can be
absorbed through the skin and biological weapons can get through even small tears in the skin. Still, many people neglect to purchase
the protective suit, gloves, and overboots to go along with their mask. A very important thing to note. The protective mask itself does
not filter the air you are breathing. It only provides an airtight seal, so the only air that you breathe comes through the filter, which will
remove the agent. The only type of filter you want is a current production NBC filter, such as the M-95 filter shown below...

When it comes down to it, protective gear is not something to trust your local army surplus store to. Surplus stores usually have
obsolete, expired, and in some cases, defective equipment.
If you are caught in a crisis situation where good modern protective masks and suits are not available, some expedient gear can be
constructed or bought.
Garage-type Tyvek coveralls or rubber rain suits, both found at hardware stores, will provide some protection against chemical and
biological weapons injuring you through your skin. They will also stop alpha and beta radiation, but definitely not gamma radiation.
Make sure the suit you buy has a hood, so you are able to make a seal around your head and neck.
Many hardware stores sell many types of gloves. One type, are the butyl rubber chemical gloves. These gloves are essentially the same
as real NBC gloves. Check the label/sticker/carton and make sure they are resistant to corrosive chemicals, such as sulfuric acid, etc., to
gain some indication of the glove's suitability for use. Tuck the gloves inside the sleeve so that the agent doesn't drip inside the glove.
N-95 dust masks, and the half-mask respirators used by painters, etc., provide excellent protection against inhaling radiological
particulates. The N-95 dust mask will provide some protection against some of the larger biological agents, and the half-mask respirator,
as long as "P100" is marked somewhere on the canister or the packaging, will stop almost all biological agents. The N-95 dust mask will
provide almost no protection against chemical agents, but the half-mask will provide some measure of protection if it is also rated for
some types of household, industrial, or commercial chemicals, like solvents and paints. Several layers of wet cloth, such as a T-shirt,
placed over the nose and mouth, may be better than nothing against radiological particulates and some biological weapons.
Purchase some gas-tight, or otherwise enclosed goggles if your mask does not protect your eyes as well.
Rubber boots must be purchased to keep the agent from entering the bottom of the suit. Tuck the boots inside the pant leg so that agent
does not enter the boot.
Use the silver colored duct tape to seal the gaps, such as where the gloves and boots are tucked into the suit, and around where the
mask and hood come together to keep agent from entering.
However, it should be noted that such expedient equipment provides very little protection against CBW agents. The US Army Soldier
Biological-Chemical Command tested types of suits police departments were buying for use in an emergency. They found Garage-type
Tyvek coveralls, even when in combination with military-grade protective masks, gloves, and overboots, were found to provide only
twice the protection as someone wearing just regular clothing and a good protective mask. Still, expedient equipment is much better
than nothing, and should be seriously considered in a crisis.
The more appropriate measure for civilians is the safe room. We do not have civil defense, and so we do not have the massive resources
the military has to provide an agent free area for soldiers to get out of their gear so they can eat, sleep, etc., as you cannot eat wearing
protective gear, only drink, and that's if you have a drinking system in your mask. So, a safe room is the best option. It should be noted,
that having protective masks and suits as a backup is a VERY good idea, in case it is necessary to leave the safe room, because of fire
or other dangers.

What's some practical strategies for the public to employ M9, M8, M256A1 kit & Anthrax Test?
If an chemical alert were sounded that had everyone then buttoned up at home with plastic and duct tape on their windows and doors,
the chem detection strip might could be utilized in two ways:
First; if stuck into the window sill on the outside, but out of the rain, you could tell from the safety of inside your home if it was
detecting anything outside to have it start changing color. Also, when the all-clear was finally sounded, you'd have some independent
confirmation that for your own property and neighborhood it really was OK, as well. Many others, without any such indication, won't
have a clue as to what to believe or not and will not be prepared to deal well with such deadly uncertainties and possibly even be
paralyzed with fear.
Secondly; if we did get into something nasty, having these detectors inside your safe room, too, would also help calm all there that with
no color change they were still safe. Placing them along hallways outside the safe room and even throughout the house would also help
every ones confidence level later that when they did again utilize the rest of the house, they'd have some more assurance via the
chemical indicators of how safe it was to do so.
However, to be safe, decontaminate anyway. There is a chance your detection paper may be giving a false negative, or you miss the
contamination some other way. DO NOT take foolish chances with chemical or biological weapons.
Situations may even evolve where neighborhood evacuations are called for before an approaching chemical agent arrives on the wind.
With your own chemical detection in-hand, you'll be able to confirm every step of the way for your family that you are not inadvertently
moving into harm. Or, if the wind had just changed, you'll be able to confirm if your safe route and/or preferred safe destination, really
still is.
Also, when travelling or at the mall or an auditorium, etc., if anything ever happened that was panicking people (on foot or in cars) that a
chemical attack had been launched there, you could also pull out one of these M9 or M8 strips as you exited the area so as to expose it
to the air about you. Whether it was in your hand as you got out of the area or jammed into your closed car window as you drove off,
but where you could still see it, half in and half out, you'd potentially have a clue as to how bad it really was right where you are, both
inside the car and outside.
The panic could potentially be deadlier than the 'event', especially so if it's a false alarm, and the information gleaned from your
chemical detector could help you make wiser choices on how eagerly you'd then risk joining in with a dangerous trampling stampede or
crazy panicked drivers, or not.
There are plenty more creative strategies for employing these chemical detectors around where you live, work, play and how/where you
travel, especially when moving through high density population targets. Getting that peace-of-mind confirmation that the area you or
your family frequents looks clear is a bonus benefit, not to be overlooked. It's something that few others will know and all will eagerly
desire, in addition to your being warned when it might not be safe to go out right now.
The M256A1 detection and identification kit is most often used after a chemical attack to confirm when if it is again safe enough to
unmask or exit your safe room. Your M8 and M9 may no longer be 'spotting up', indicating that the deposition of the nerve agent aerosol
or liquid has ceased, but they can not tell you about any lingering and residual vapors that have not yet dissipated. The M256A1 can
test for these chemical agents in the vapor form. The M8 and M9 are the standard for early detection and the M256A1 would normally be
used to assure the threat has fully passed. This is one of the military's most sensitive devices for detecting Chemical Agents and
detects all agents at levels below those that can kill or injure people.

Regarding Anthrax testing: Anthrax is not something the untrained general public should be testing for. Conducting environmental
sampling places them at risk for exposure to Bacillus anthracis, the organism causing anthrax, and they should be both trained in the
procedures and wearing protective personal equipment (PPE), including respiratory devices, protective clothing, and gloves.

For more information read both these CDC reports: Comprehensive Procedures for Collecting Environmental Samples for Culturing
Bacillus anthracis - Revised April 2002 and Protecting Investigators Performing Environmental Sampling for Bacillus anthracis:
Personal Protective Equipment.

Additional Information about environmental affects on Chemical Agents

from U.S. Military document FM 3-6, Chapter 1, Chemical Agents:
The field behavior of chemical agents is dependent on weather variables such as wind, temperature, air stability, humidity, and
precipitation. The influence of each variable depends upon the synoptic situation and is locally influenced by topography,
vegetation, and soil.
Chemical agents may appear in the field in different forms: vapors, aerosols, or liquids. To understand the impact of chemical
agents on the battlefield, the soldier must also understand how these agents are affected by weather and terrain. The following
paragraphs give an overview of the basic characteristics of chemical agents and how weather and terrain influence and have
specific effects on them.

Basic Characteristics
Vapors and small particles are carried by the winds, while any large particles and liquid drops fall out in a ballistic-like
trajectory and are quickly deposited on the ground. Many agents give off vapors that form vapor clouds. The speed at which
an agent gives off vapors is called volatility. Agents may be removed naturally from the air by falling out (large particles fall out
much more quickly), by sticking to the ground or vegetation, or by being removed by precipitation. Once deposited upon
vegetation or other ground cover, volatile agents may be re- released to the atmosphere for further cycles of travel and present
a hazard until sufficiently diluted or decontaminated.
During approximately the first 30 seconds, the size and travel of an agent are determined primarily by the functioning
characteristics of the munition or delivery system. Thereafter, the travel and diffusion of the agent cloud are determined
primarily by weather and terrain. For example, in high temperatures, volatile agents produce maximum agent vapor in 15
seconds. Light winds and low turbulence allow high local concentrations of agents. High winds and strong turbulence reduce
the concentration and increase the area coverage by more quickly carrying away and diffusing the agent cloud.

Vapors
When a chemical agent is disseminated as a vapor from a bursting munition, initially the cloud expands, grows cooler and
heavier, and tends to retain its form. The height to which the cloud rises, due to its buoyancy, is called the height of the
thermally stabilized cloud. If the vapor density of the released agent is less than the vapor density of air, the cloud rises quite
rapidly, mixes with the surrounding air, and dilutes rapidly. If the agent forms a dense gas (the vapor density of the released
agent is greater than the vapor density of air), the cloud flattens, sinks, and flows over the earth's surface. Generally, cloud
growth during the first 30 seconds is more dependent upon the munition or delivery system than upon surrounding
meteorological conditions.
Nevertheless, the height to which the cloud eventually rises depends upon air temperature and turbulence. These determine
how much cooler, ambient air is pulled into the hot cloud (and, hence, determines its rate of cooling). The agent concentration
buildup is influenced by both the amount and speed of agent release and by existing meteorological conditions.
Shortly after release, the agent cloud assumes the temperature of the surrounding air and moves in the direction and at the
speed of the surrounding air. The chemical cloud is subjected to turbulence forces of the air, which tend to stretch it, tear it
apart, and dilute it. The heavier the agent, the longer the cloud retains its integrity. Under conditions of low turbulence, the
chemical agent cloud travels great distances with little decrease in agent vapor concentration. As turbulence increases, the
agent cloud dilutes or dissipates faster.

Aerosols

Aerosols are finely divided liquid and/or solid substances suspended in the atmosphere. Sometimes dissolved gases are also
present in the liquids in the aerosols. Chemical agent aerosol clouds can be generated by thermal munitions and aerosol
spray devices or as by-products of liquid spray devices and bursting munitions.
Airborne aerosols behave in much the same manner as vaporized agents. Initially, aerosol clouds formed from thermal
generators have a higher temperature than clouds formed from other types of munitions. This may cause some initial rise of
the cloud at the release point. Aerosol generated clouds are heavier than vapor clouds, and they tend to retain their forms and
settle back to earth. Being heavier than vapor clouds, they are influenced less by turbulence. However, as the clouds travel
downwind, gravity settles out the larger, heavier particles. Many particles stick to leaves and other vegetative surfaces they
contact.

Liquids
When a chemical agent is used for its liquid effect, evaporation causes the agent to form into vapor. Depending upon volatility,
vapor clouds are usually of low concentration, have about the same temperature as the surrounding air, and tend to stay near
the surface because of high vapor density. Additionally, vapor density governs the extent that the vapor will mix with the air.
Liquid agents with high vapor density impact at ground level with very little evaporation of the agent. These agents are termed
persistent agents. While drops are airborne, and after impacting, the liquid continues to evaporate. Agent vapor pressure will
govern the rate at which the liquid will evaporate at a given temperature and pressure. Initial concentrations are lower, since
the vapor source is not instantaneous as a vapor agent is but evolves over a long period (until the liquid source is gone).
Liquid agents may be absorbed (soaked into a surface) and adsorbed (adhered to a surface), and they may also evaporate.
Once the liquid is no longer present on the surface, desorption (going back into the air) begins. The vapor concentration over
areas contaminated with a liquid agent tends to be less than with newly formed vapor clouds, and downwind agent
concentrations are not nearly as great as with other types of agents.

Glossary of Chemical Terms

acetylcholinesterase

An enzyme that hydrolyzes the neurotransmitter acetylcholine. The

action of this enzyme is inhibited by nerve agents.

aerosol

Fine liquid or solid particles suspended in a gas; for example, fog

or smoke.

atropine

A compound used as an antidote for nerve agents.

casualty (toxic) agents

Produce incapacitation, serious injury, or death. They can be used

to incapacitate or kill victims. These agents are the choking, blister,
nerve, and blood agents.

Choking Agents

Substances that cause physical injury to the lungs. Exposure is

through inhalation. In extreme cases, membranes swell and lungs
become filled with liquid. Death results from lack of oxygen; hence,
the victim is "choked"

Blister Agents

Substances that cause blistering of the skin. Exposure is through

liquid or vapor contact with any exposed tissue (eyes, skin, lungs).

Nerve Agents

Substances that interfere with the central nervous system.

Exposure is primarily through contact with the liquid (skin and
eyes) and secondarily through inhalation of the vapor. Three
distinct symptoms associated with nerve agents are: pin-point
pupils, an extreme headache, and severe tightness in the chest.

Blood Agents

Substances that injure a person by interfering with cell respiration

(the exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide between blood and

tissues).

chemical agent

A chemical substance that is intended for use in military operations

to kill, seriously injure, or incapacitate people through its
physiological effects. Excluded from consideration are riot control
agents, and smoke and flame materials. The agent may appear as a
vapor, aerosol, or liquid; it can be either a casualty/toxic agent or
an incapacitating agent.

cutaneous

Pertaining to the skin.

decontamination

The process of making any person, object, or area safe by

absorbing, destroying, neutralizing, making harmless, or removing
the hazardous material.

G-series nerve agents

Chemical agents of moderate to high toxicity developed in the

1930s. Examples are tabun (GA), sarin (GB), soman (GD), and GF.

Incapacitating agents

Produce temporary physiological and/or mental effects via action

on the central nervous system. Effects may persist for hours or
days, but victims usually do not require medical treatment.
However, such treatment speeds recovery.

vomiting agents

Produce nausea and vomiting effects, can also cause coughing,

sneezing, pain in the nose and throat, nasal discharge, and tears.

tear (riot control)

agents

Produce irritating or disabling effects that rapidly disappear within

minutes after exposure ceases.

central nervous
system depressants

Compounds that have the predominant effect of depressing or

blocking the activity of the central nervous system. The primary
mental effects include the disruption of the ability to think,
sedation, and lack of motivation.

central nervous
system stimulants

Compounds that have the predominant effect of flooding the brain

with too much information. The primary mental effect is loss of
concentration, causing indecisiveness and the inability to act in a
sustained, purposeful manner.

industrial agents

Chemicals developed or manufactured for use in industrial

operations or research by industry, government, or academia.
These chemicals are not primarily manufactured for the specific
purpose of producing human casualties or rendering equipment,
facilities, or areas dangerous for use by man. Hydrogen cyanide,
cyanogen chloride, phosgene, chloropicrin and many herbicides
and pesticides are industrial chemicals that also can be chemical
agents.

liquid agent

A chemical agent that appears to be an oily film or droplets. The

color ranges from clear to brownish amber.

nonpersistent agent

An agent that upon release loses its ability to cause casualties after
10 to 15 minutes. It has a high evaporation rate and is lighter than
air and will disperse rapidly. It is considered to be a short-term

hazard. However, in small unventilated areas, the agent will be

more persistent.
organophosphorous
compound

A compound, containing the elements phosphorus and carbon,

whose physiological effects include inhibition of
acetylcholinesterase. Many pesticides (malathione and parathion)
and virtually all nerve agents are organophosphorous compounds.

percutaneous agent

Able to be absorbed by the body through the skin.

persistent agent

An agent that upon release retains its casualty-producing effects

for an extended period of time, usually anywhere from 30 minutes
to several days. A persistent agent usually has a low evaporation
rate and its vapor is heavier than air. Therefore, its vapor cloud
tends to hug the ground. It is considered to be a long-term hazard.
Although inhalation hazards are still a concern, extreme caution
should be taken to avoid skin contact as well.

protection

Any means by which an individual protects his body. Measures

include masks, self-contained breathing apparatuses, clothing,
structures such as buildings, and vehicles.

V-series nerve agents

Chemical agents of moderate to high toxicity developed in the

1950s. They are generally persistent. Examples are VE, VG, VM, VS,
and VX.

vapor agent

A gaseous form of a chemical agent. If heavier than air, the cloud

will be close to the ground. If lighter than air, the cloud will rise and
disperse more quickly.

volatility

A measure of how readily a substance will vaporize.

Glossary of Biological Terms

aerosol

Fine liquid or solid particles suspended in a gas; for example, fog

or smoke.

antibiotic

A substance that inhibits the growth of or kills microorganisms.

antisera

The liquid part of blood containing antibodies, that react against

disease causing agents such as those used in BW.

bacteria

Single-celled organisms that multiply by cell division and that can

cause disease in humans, plants, or animals.

biochemicals

The chemicals that make up or are produced by living things.

biological warfare agents

Living organisms or the materials derived from them that cause

disease in or harm to humans, animals, or plants, or cause
deterioration of material. Biological agents may be used as liquid
droplets, aerosols, or dry powders.

biological warfare

The intentional use of biological agents as weapons to kill or injure

humans, animals, or plants, or to damage equipment.

bioregulators

Biochemicals that regulate bodily functions. Bioregulators that are

produced by the body are termed "endogenous." Some of these
same bioregulators can be chemically synthesized.

causative agent

The organism or toxin that is responsible for causing a specific

disease or harmful effect.

contagious

Capable of being transmitted from one person to another.

culture

A population of micro-organisms grown in a medium.

decontamination

The process of making people, objects, or areas safe by absorbing,

destroying, neutralizing, making harmless, or removing the
hazardous material.

fungi

Any of a group of plants mainly characterized by the absence of

chlorophyll, the green colored compound found in other plants.
Fungi range from microscopic single-celled plants (such as molds
and mildews) to large plants (such as mushrooms).

host

An animal or plant that harbors or nourishes another organism.

incapacitating agent

Agents that produce physical or psychological effects, or both, that

may persist for hours or days after exposure, rendering victims
incapable of performing normal physical and mental tasks.

infectious agents

Biological agents capable of causing disease in a susceptible host.

infectivity

(1) The ability of an organism to spread. (2) The number of

organisms required to cause an infection to secondary hosts. (3)
The capability of an organism to spread out from the site of
infection and cause disease in the host organism. Infectivity also
can be viewed as the number of organisms required to cause an
infection.

line-source delivery system

A delivery system in which the biological agent is dispersed from a

moving ground or air vehicle in a line perpendicular to the direction
of the prevailing wind. (See also "point-source delivery system.")

mycotoxin

A toxin produced by fungi.

microorganism

Any organism, such as bacteria, viruses, and some fungi, that can
be seen only with a microscope.

nebulizer

A device for producing a fine spray or aerosol.

organism

Any individual living thing, whether animal or plant.

parasite

Any organism that lives in or on another organism without

providing benefit in return.

pathogen

Any organism (usually living) capable of producing serious disease

or death, such as bacteria, fungi, and viruses.

pathogenic agents

Biological agents capable of causing serious disease.

point-source delivery system

A delivery system in which the biological agent is dispersed from a