CBRNE Agents Flashcards
a chemical substance, whether gaseous, liquid or solid, which might be employed because of their direct toxic effects on man, animals and plants
chemical warfare agents
Chemical warfare agents are distinguished by
their effects on human physiology
potentially lethal chemical agent which interferes with the transmission of nerve impulses
nerve agents
a chemical agent which injures the eyes and lungs, and burns or blisters the skin
also referred to as a vesicant agent
blister agent
a chemical compound, including the cyanide group that affects bodily functions by preventing the normal utilization of oxygen by the body
blood agent
a chemical agent that causes severe irritation or swelling of the respiratory tract
also called pulmonary agents
choking agent
A. Explosive shells
B. Rockets
C. Missiles
D. Bombs
E. Mines
F. Spray devices
G. Contaminated Food and Water
methods of delivery for chemical agents
deliberate release of viruses, bacteria, or other germs (agents) used to cause illness or death in people, animals, or plants
bioterrorism
Bioterrorism factors:
Natural occurring/designer agents
Difficult to detect
Spread from person to person
Per the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) bioterrorism agents can be separated into three categories
A, B, C
CDC categorizes bioterrorism agents depending on?
depending on how easily they can be spread and the severity of illness or death they cause
Highest Priority/Risk to the public and nation
category A
Transmission: They can be easily spread or transmitted from person to person
category A
Mortality: They result in high death rates and have the potential for major PH impact
category A
Public panic: They might cause public panic and social disruption
category A
Special action required: They require special action for PH preparedness
category A
Examples:
Anthrax, Botulism, Plague, Smallpox and Viral Hemorrhagic Fevers
category A
Second Highest Priority/Risk to the public and nation
category B
Transmission: They are moderately easy to spread
category B
Morbidity/Mortality: They result in moderate illness rates and low death rates
category B
Laboratory Enhancement/Disease Monitoring: They require specific enhancements of CDC’s laboratory capacity and enhanced disease monitoring
category B
Third Highest Priority/Risk include emerging pathogens that could be engineered for mass spread in the future
category C
Biological agents can be spread through:
air
water/food
dermal/percutaneous
Portal of Entry
Inhalation
Air
Portal of Entry
Ingestion
Water/Food
Portal of Entry
Mucous membranes or abrasions
Dermal/Percutaneous
Favorable conditions
Pre-dawn Inversion Flat terrain
Wind <20mph
Air
Radioactive materials that cause damage from alpha, beta, and neutron particles or gamma rays
Radiation Emergency
Different types of radiation dispersal devices (RDD) are used to disseminate radioactive material that is a non-nuclear detonation
intentional acts (terrorist)
types of intentional acts
a. Spreading radioactive material
b. Bombing
Due to the commercial aspect of radioactive materials, they are prone to accidental contamination when stored, transported, or in use
unintentional acts
types of unintentional acts
a. Nuclear Reactor Accidents (commercial power plant) -
b. Transportation accidents
two forms of radiation
ionizing
non-ionizing
types of ionizing radiation
Alpa
Beta
Gamma
Neutron
Only harmful if internalized, not if outside the body
Once they enter the body through ingestion or inhalation they damage internal organs and tissues
They are stopped by a sheet of paper or the outer layer of skin
Alpha
may cause skin burns and will be harmful if ingested. Particles are stopped by clothing or a few millimeters of aluminum
Beta
may penetrate the skin and destroy living cells and is stopped by several feet of concrete or a couple inches of lead
gamma
emitted only during detonation and is 20 times more harmful than Gamma particles
neutron
Has less energy and is not strong enough to affect the structure of atoms it contacts, but is strong enough to heat tissue and cause harmful effects
non-ionizing
Non-ionizing is characterized as
a laser, microwave and radio waves
Environments where there has been a deliberate or accidental attack or contamination
nuclear agent emergency
most destructive man-made force
nuclear weapons
Nuclear weapons can be deployed in several unique methods:
Air burst
Surface blast
Sub-surface blast
employed when the maximum amount of destruction is desired at ground level
most effective nuclear delivery method
Air burst
used when targeting an object just below the earth’s surface
surface blast
used when seeking to destroy targets deep under the earth’s surface. This will cause a significant ground shock and a large crater
sub-surface blast
types of injuries from nuclear weapons
blast
thermal
Ionizing radiation emitted by the nuclear blast
Consists of neutrons, alpha and beta particles and gamma rays
nuclear radiation
emits one minute after a nuclear detonation
Residual radiation (aka fallout)
Any conventional weapon or device that is capable of high order destruction or disruption and/or used in manner as to harm a large number of people
high yield emergency
produces a supersonic over pressurization shock wave
high-explosive (HE)
creates a subsonic explosion and lack HE’s over pressurization wave
Low-order explosives (LE)
Implies standard military-issued, mass produced, and quality- tested weapons
manufactured
Weapons produced in small quantities, or use of device outside is intended purpose
improvised
I. Epidemiologic Data
II. Food Vulnerability Assessment
III. Education
IV. Team up with BE to gather information and conduct area survey.
V. Support other organizations to establish a plan ensuring that all threats are considered and appropriate resources are used.
VI. Provide the Commander with current information on the incident.
PH responsibilities
I. Samples for Analysis
II. Recommendations
III. Risk Communication
IV. Water Vulnerability Assessment
V. Monitor personal dosimeters
VI. Nuclear and Radiological Samples
BE responsibilities
Conduct health risk assessment/health hazard control measures
BE
Vaccines/Immunizations: Anthrax and Smallpox vaccines.
Chemoprophylaxis: Ciprofloxin for Anthrax.
Pre-attack
Physical protection: covering mouth with protective mask, surgical mask, High- Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) filter and exposed skin.
During attack
Decontamination: Soap & warm water.
0.5% Chlorine (Cl) solutions on skin. 5% Cl solution on equipment.
Post attack
symptoms of nerve agent
i. Runny nose
ii. Tightness in chest / Breathing difficulties
iii. Nausea / Vomiting
iv. Cramps / Twitching of large muscle groups
What kind of control measures do you use for Nerve agents?
MOPP-4
Decontamination
Chemoprophylaxis/Nerve Agent Antidote Injectors
