Chemical Agents of Opportunity for Terrorism: TICs & TIMs

Chemical Agents of Opportunity for Terrorism
Training Support Package
Participant Guide
Slide 7
Chemical Agents of Opportunity for Terrorism:
TICs & TIMs
• 37 exposed
Case 1: “The Toxic Lady ”
– 11 noticed unusual smell
• Description varied: garlicky, ammonia like, gas -like, or chemical -
like
– 26 did not notice odor
• Paramedics who transported patients and drew
blood in the ambulance noticed no odor and
developed no symptoms
• 23/37 developed at least one symptom
Module One – Observed Behaviors during Mass Chemical Exposures
7
Of the 37 who were in close proximity to the event, only 11 reported noticing an unusual
smell. The remaining 26 potentially-exposed individuals noticed no odor. While 23 of 37
exposed eventually developed at least one symptom, the paramedics who transported
the patient and drew blood in the ambulance – presumably with the closest contact and
largest potential exposure - noticed no difference in odor and developed no symptoms.
The lack of symptoms in those with a larger dose or longer time duration of exposure
would argue against an inhaled toxic compound from the patient – this is in keeping with
the concept of dose-response as described earlier in the course.
December 2008 Version 2.0 Page 433