Chemical Agents of Opportunity for Terrorism: TICs & TIMs

Chemical Agents of Opportunity for Terrorism
Training Support Package
Participant Guide
Slide 10
Chemical Agents of Opportunity for Terrorism:
TICs & TIMs
Cyanide
Other Cytochrome Oxidase Inhibitors:
• Hydrogen sulfide
– “sewer gas”
• Sodium azide
– Component of airbags
• Carbon monoxide
– minor mechanism
Module Four – Cyanide & Fumigants
10
There are other cytochrome oxidase inhibitors, such as hydrogen sulfide, sodium azide,
and carbon monoxide. Exposure to these other cytochrome oxidase inhibitors, due to
their similar mechanism of action, may produce systemic clinical effects similar to
cyanide poisoning. Hydrogen sulfide, also called sewer gas, is found in manure pits, but
also has use in industry. Sodium azide is a colorless azide salt commonly used in
organic synthesis, and it is a component in many car airbag systems. Carbon monoxide
is readily generated by burning organic matter. When a victim presents with rapid loss of
consiousness that is considered to be related to an inhalational exposure, the likely of a
“knock down gas” is raised. The differential diagnosis boils down to the following “knock
down gases”: cyanide gas, hydrogen sulfide gas, carbon monoxide, and oxygendeficient
air.
Hydrogen sulfide, H2S, is colorless, toxic and flammable gas is partially responsible for
the foul odor of rotten eggs. It is irritating and has good warning properties due to its
sulfury odor; however at high concentrations this chemical’s odor paradoxically fades
and poisoning is likely.
Azide is the anion with the formula N 3 - ; Sodium azide is the sodium salt NaN 3 This latter
compound is colorless and is a common reagent in organic synthesis, and is a
component in many car airbag deployment systems because of its explosive nature (it
forces out the airbag).
Carbon monoxide, or CO, is a colorless, odorless gas that is produced during incomplete
combustion of organic compounds. It inhibits mitochondria similarly to the way that CN
does, but it has other more consequential toxic effects on the red blood cells.
Poisoning by each is preventable with proper safety systems or personal protective
equipment.
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