Basic Level Pre-Course Reading

Chapter 3
CBRN Assessment and Incident Recognition
How they work: Depending on the agent, local irritation to affected areas may
occur (eyes, nose and throat).
3.2.1.1 Signs, Symptoms, and Onset - Some chemical agents cause
serious clinical effects in humans almost immediately, while others cause
minor or no clinical effects within the first minutes to hours after contact.
For example:
• Inhalation of vapours or skin contact with liquid nerve agents can
cause loss of consciousness and death within minutes.
• Inhalation of blood-agent vapours can cause loss of consciousness
and death within minutes.
• Exposure to some of the blister agents (i.e., Lewisite) result in
immediate injury to exposed tissue, while apparent injuries from
mustard may be delayed for 4-24 hours after exposure.
• A high concentration of choking agents will cause severe respiratory
distress, while low concentrations may produce irritation to the eyes,
nose and respiratory tract.
• Riot control agents produce almost immediate irritation and burning of
the eyes, nose, and upper airway.
Only a small quantity of a chemical agent is required to affect a large
number of casualties.
Table 1 shows the characteristics, effects, and initial onset timeframes for
each of the five groups of chemicals.
CBRN First Responder Training Program
20
Basic Level Course