Description

Chemical agents that affect CNS, pulmonary, cardiovascular, dermal, ocular, or GI systems when exposed to victims

Etiology

• Blood agents: Cyanide:
  • Inhibition of cellular respiration by binding to ferric ion in cytochrome oxidase a-a3 and uncoupling oxidative phosphorylation
• Blister agents: Sulfur mustard, nitrogen mustard, lewisite, phosgene oxime:
  • Alkylation and cross-linking of purine bases of DNA and amino acids resulting in change in structure of nucleic acid, proteins, and cellular membranes
• Lachrymators and riot control agents: 1-chloroacetophenone (CN; Mace), o-chlorobenzylidene malononitrile (CS), oleoresin capsaicin-pepper spray (OC), chloropicrin, adamsite (DM):
  • Mucous membrane irritators
• Pulmonary irritants (choking agents):
  • High water solubility: Ammonia:
    • Mucous membrane irritation of eyes and upper airway
  • Intermediate water solubility: Chlorine:
    • Forms hydrochloric acid, hydrochlorous acids, which form free radicals causing upper airway and pulmonary irritation
  • Low water solubility: Phosgene:
    • Mild irritant effects initially, then delayed pulmonary edema as late as 24 hr
    • Direct pulmonary damage after hydrolysis in lungs to hydrochloric acid
• Nerve agents:
  • Anticholinesterase inhibitors—causes cholinergic overstimulation at muscarinic, nicotinic, and CNS sites
• Incapacitating agents: 3-quinuclidinyl benzilate (BZ):
  • Anticholinergic (antimuscarinic)