Chemical Agents of Opportunity for Terrorism: TICs & TIMs

Chemical Agents of Opportunity for Terrorism
Training Support Package
Participant Guide
Slide 53
Chemical Agents of Opportunity for Terrorism:
TICs & TIMs
Summary: Toxic Gas Characteristics
AGENT
PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
EXPECTED CLINICAL EFFECTS
H 2
O
Solubility
Odor /
Warning
Vapor
Density
Mucosal /
Upper Airway
Lower
Airway
Systemic
MIC
High
Pungent /
Inadequate
1.4
Yes
Possible
No
NH 3
High
Pungent /
Good
0.5
Yes
Possible
No
Cl 2
Interm .
Pungent / Fair
2.5
Yes
Yes
No
COCl 2
Low
Mown Hay/
Inadequate
3.5
Unlikely
Yes
No
HF
High
Pungent /
Good
0.7
Yes
Possible
Electrolyte &
Cardiac
Rhythm
Module One – Toxic Industrial Gases as Terrorist Threats
53
This table summarizes some of the material covered up to this point.
The major feature to remember is that for those agents with high water solubility,
mucous membrane (eye, nose, throat) and upper airway symptoms would be expected
to predominate, while low water solubility gas exposure victims will often demonstrate
a predominance of lower respiratory symptoms, except in cases with high dose (amount
x time) exposure.
Certain agents (such as HF) can cause systemic effects that may be more important
than the local irritant/corrosive effects.
December 2008 Version 2.0 Page 177