Chemical Agents of Opportunity for Terrorism: TICs & TIMs

Chemical Agents of Opportunity for Terrorism
Training Support Package
Participant Guide
Slide 54
Chemical Agents of Opportunity for Terrorism:
TICs & TIMs
Treatment for Irritive Gas Exposure
• Remove from exposure
• Irrigation of eyes or skin if
involved
– Extensive decontamination
usually not necessary unless
liquid exposure
• Oxygen
• Nebulized beta-agonists (e.g.
albuterol ) for wheezing or
dyspnea
Module One – Toxic Industrial Gases as Terrorist Threats
54
Despite the significant toxicity of all of these gases, there are no specific antidotes to
reverse the effects. However, there are steps and treatments that are important for
management of these patients.
As with almost all toxic situations, removal from ongoing exposure – with attention to
safety of rescuers – is most important.
Water-soluble agents will lead to significant eye symptoms and appropriate irrigation of
exposed tissue is very important for both comfort and long-term outcome. However,
extensive efforts at decontamination (e.g. stripping all clothing and full “wet decon”) is
usually inappropriate for gas/vapor exposure. In an industrial setting with exposure to
liquid, full decon may be important. Certainly HazMat technicians would require
chemical protective clothing and self-contained breathing apparatus to enter such a
scene.
Many of these compounds cause hypoxia (directly or indirectly), so oxygen
administration is important; administration of albuterol (a bronchodilator) will address
some of the bronchial hyper-reactivity common to these chemical exposures. Once
stabilized, corticosteroids may also be appropriate in modifying the inflammatory
pulmonary response.
December 2008 Version 2.0 Page 178