disaster 5th 1108_5th ed 2011 - Homeland Security and Emergency ...

Treatment: - There is no antidote for chlorine exposure -- main things are
to remove it from body and seek medical attention as soon as possible.
• First - leave area as quickly as possible
... if outdoors - get to high ground (avoid low-lying areas)
... if in building - get outside to high ground and upwind
• If inhaled - get fresh air as quickly and calmly as possible
• If on clothing or skin - remove clothes and shoes that are
contaminated but don’t pull anything over head - cut it off
body. If possible, seal clothing in plastic bag, then seal that
bag in a bag. Immediately wash body with clean water and
soap. Ask officials how to dispose of bags.
• If in eyes - remove contacts and put in a bag - do not put
back in eyes! If eyes burning or vision blurred, rinse eyes
with plain water for 10 to 15 minutes. If wearing glasses,
wash them with soap and water before putting back on.
• If swallowed - if someone drinks or eats something
exposed to chlorine, do NOT make them puke or drink
fluids - call 9-1-1
Cyanide (Blood) - is a very fast acting and potentially deadly chemical that
exists in several forms. The CDC categorizes cyanide as “blood” agents but
sometimes called “cyanide or cyanogen” agents. Cyanide can be a colorless
gas (cyanogen chloride or hydrogen cyanide) or a crystal solid form (like
potassium or sodium cyanide). It may smell like “bitter almonds” but most
often is odorless. Cyanide is naturally present in some foods or plants - it’s
also in cigarette smoke or given off when some plastics burn. It is also used
to make paper or textiles and in chemicals used to develop photos.
How it spreads: Cyanide could enter water, soil or air as a result of natural
or industrial processes or be spread indoors or outdoors as a weapon.
People can be exposed by breathing gas or vapors or cigarette smoke, by
drinking or eating something contaminated (either accidentally or on purpose)
or by touching soil or clothing that was exposed to cyanide. The gas
disappears quickly and rises (less dense than air) so pretty useless outdoors.
Signs & Symptoms: Basically cyanide prevents the cells from absorbing
oxygen so cells die. No matter how exposed (breathing, absorbed through
skin, or eating / drinking) some or all signs show up within minutes:
• Exposed to small amount - rapid breathing, gasping for
air, dizziness, weakness, headache, sick to stomach,
puking, restlessness, rapid heart rate, bluish skin or lips
(due to lack of oxygen in blood)
• Large amount - above signs plus convulsions, low blood
pressure, slow heart rate, passes out, stops breathing
86 www.itsadisaster.net or call 1-888-999-4325