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Chemical Agents of Opportunity for Terrorism: TICs & TIMs

Chemical Agents of Opportunity for Terrorism: TICs & TIMs

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<strong>Chemical</strong> <strong>Agents</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Opportunity</strong> <strong>for</strong> <strong>Terrorism</strong><br />

Training Support Package<br />

Participant Guide<br />

Slide 23<br />

<strong>Chemical</strong> <strong>Agents</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Opportunity</strong> <strong>for</strong> <strong>Terrorism</strong>:<br />

<strong>TICs</strong> & <strong>TIMs</strong><br />

Clinical Effects<br />

• Damage from alkali burn and thermal reaction<br />

NH 3 + H 2 O NH 4 OH<br />

• Low concentration: irritant to nose, throat, upper respiratory<br />

tract<br />

• Higher concentrations or more prolonged contact<br />

– Skin burns: 30% <strong>of</strong> admitted chemical burns attributed to ammonia<br />

(variable by extent <strong>of</strong> clandestine drug labs)<br />

– Lower airway inflammation with pneumonitis and pulmonary edema<br />

Module One – Toxic Industrial Gases as Terrorist Threats<br />

23<br />

Ammonia is an irritant at low concentrations and a corrosive at higher concentrations.<br />

Given that ammonia is a water-soluble gas, typical symptoms seen at lower<br />

concentrations affect the upper airways including the nose, throat, and trachea. At higher<br />

concentrations, or with more prolonged contract, anhydrous ammonia acts as a<br />

corrosive and may cause burns to tissues exposed to concentrated amounts.<br />

December 2008 Version 2.0 Page 147

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