Chemical Agents of Opportunity for Terrorism: TICs & TIMs

Chemical Agents of Opportunity for Terrorism
Training Support Package
Participant Guide
Slide 6
Chemical Agents of Opportunity for Terrorism:
TICs & TIMs
Case 1: Leading Theories
• Patient drank pesticide in suicide attempt or used a
solvent (DMSO) as a home cancer remedy
• Hospital plumbing emitted a toxic gas
• A secret methamphetamine lab operated in the
hospital basement.
• “Mass hysteria ”
Module One – Observed Behaviors during Mass Chemical Exposures
6
Several theories were proposed to explain this event. Given an odor and possible
abnormal substance on the patient’s skin, an ingestion of undefined “pesticide” was
proposed. Dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) is an industrial solvent used as an alternative
cancer therapy. Other theories focused on a source within the hospital, including some
outlandish suggestions, such as releases from a clandestine methamphetamine
laboratory within the hospital.
Despite the apparently genuine and severe illnesses of the ER staff, no satisfactory toxin
that could have caused their illnesses has been identified. This has led to speculation as
to whether so-called “mass hysteria” could have caused the symptoms experienced by
the ER staff. Opinions are still divided as to the cause of the incident, without a clear-cut
answer. Subsequent litigation has also not provided clarification.
December 2008 Version 2.0 Page 432