[KYHAM] KEN Training 22 October 2007
W2LTB at aol.com
W2LTB at aol.com
Sun Nov 11 00:23:47 CST 2007
Here is the reference material for the training held on the Kentucky
Emergency Net, held each Monday at 1930 hours EST on 3.972.5.
This material can also be accessed on the web at
kyares13.kyham.net/resources.html.
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Sarin
What is Sarin?
Sarin is a man-made chemical warfare agent classified as a nerve agent.
Nerve agents are the most toxic and rapidly acting of the known chemical warfare
agents. They are similar to certain kinds of insecticides called
organophosphate insecticides in terms of how they work and what kind of harmful effects
they cause; however, nerve agents are much more potent than insecticides.
Sarin originally was developed in 1938 in Germany as an insecticide.
Sarin is a clear, colorless, and tasteless liquid that has no odor in its
pure form. However, sarin can evaporate into a vapor (gas) and spread into the
environment.
Sarin is also known as GB.
Where Sarin is found and how it is used?
Sarin is not found naturally in the environment.
Sarin and other nerve agents may have been used in chemical warfare during
the Iran-Iraq War in the 1980s.
Sarin was used in two terrorist attacks in Japan in 1994 and 1995.
How people can be exposed to Sarin?
If sarin is released into the air, people may be exposed through skin
contact or eye contact. They may also be exposed by breathing air that contains
sarin.
If sarin is released into water, people may be exposed by touching or
drinking water that contains sarin.
If sarin comes in contact with food, people may be exposed by eating the
contaminated food.
A person’s clothing can release sarin for about 30 minutes after it has come
in contact with sarin vapor. Other people can be exposed to sarin if they
breathe this sarin gas.
Because sarin breaks down slowly in the body, people who are repeatedly
exposed to sarin may suffer more harmful health effects.
How does Sarin work?
The extent of poisoning that sarin causes depends on three factors: (1) the
amount of sarin to which they were exposed, (2) how they were exposed, and
(3) the how long the exposure lasted.
Symptoms will appear within a few seconds after exposure to the vapor form
of sarin and within a few minutes up to 18 hours after exposure to the liquid
form.
All the nerve agents cause their toxic effects by preventing the proper
operation of the chemical that acts as the body’s “off switch” for glands and
muscles. Without an “off switch,” the glands and muscles are constantly being
stimulated. They may tire and no longer be able to sustain breathing
function.
Sarin vapor is heavier than air, so it would be more likely to settle in
low-lying areas.
Because sarin mixes easily with water, water can easily be contaminated.
Sarin is the most volatile of the nerve agents, which means that it can
easily and quickly evaporate from a liquid into a vapor and spread into the
environment. People can be exposed to the vapor even if they do not come in
contact with the liquid form of sarin.
Because it evaporates so quickly, sarin presents an immediate, but
short-lived, threat.
What are the Immediate signs and symptoms of sarin exposure?
People may not know that they were exposed because sarin has no odor.
People exposed to a low or moderate dose of sarin by breathing contaminated
air, eating contaminated food, drinking contaminated water, or touching
contaminated surfaces may experience some or all of the following symptoms within
seconds to hours of exposure:
Runny nose
Watery eyes
Small, pinpoint pupils
Eye pain
Blurred vision
Drooling and excessive sweating
Cough
Chest tightness
Rapid breathing
Diarrhea
Increased urination
Confusion
Drowsiness
Weakness
Headache
Nausea, vomiting, and/or abdominal pain
Slow or fast heart rate
Low or high blood pressure
Even a small drop of sarin on the skin can cause sweating and muscle
twitching where sarin touched the skin.
Exposure to large doses of sarin by any route may result in the following
harmful health effects:
Loss of consciousness
Convulsions
Paralysis
Respiratory failure possibly leading to death
What are the long-term health effects?
Mild or moderately exposed people usually recover completely. Some studies
in animals and people suggest that severe nerve agent poisoning can cause
long-term central nervous system effects, such as changes in brain activity.
However, it is unclear what such changes may mean, if anything, regarding the
function and long-term health status of a person who has been mildly or
moderately exposed to sarin.
How people can protect themselves and what they should do if they are
exposed to sarin?
Recovery from sarin exposure is possible with treatment, but the antidotes
available must be used quickly to be effective. Therefore, the best thing to
do is avoid exposure. If exposure cannot be avoided, rapidly decontaminate and
get medical care as quickly as possible.
Leave the area where the sarin was released and get to fresh air. Quickly
moving to an area where fresh air is available is highly effective in reducing
the possibility of death from exposure to sarin vapors.
If the sarin release was outdoors, move away from the area where the sarin
was released. Go to the highest ground possible, because sarin is heavier than
air and will sink to low-lying areas.
If the sarin release was indoors, get out of the building.
Remove any clothing that has liquid sarin on it, and if possible, seal the
clothing in a plastic bag. Then seal the first plastic bag in a second plastic
bag. Removing and sealing the clothing in this way will protect you and
others from any chemicals that might be on your clothes.
If helping other people remove their clothing, try to avoid touching any
contaminated areas, and remove the clothing as quickly as possible.
Rinse the eyes with plain water for 10 to 15 minutes if they are burning or
if vision is blurry.
As quickly as possible, wash any liquid sarin from the skin with large
amounts of soap and water. Washing with soap and water will protect people from
any chemicals on their bodies.
If sarin has been swallowed, do not induce vomiting or give fluids to drink.
Seek medical attention immediately.
Stay calm. Dial 911 and explain what has happened.
Wait for emergency personnel to arrive.
How sarin poisoning is treated?
Sarin poisoning is treated with antidotes, if necessary, and with supportive
medical care. The most important thing is for victims to be rapidly
decontaminated and to be given medical treatment as soon as possible.
How people can get more information about sarin?
People can contact one of the following:
* Regional poison control center (1-800-222-1222)
* Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Public Response Hotline
(CDC)
* English (888) 246-2675
* Español (888) 246-2857
* TTY (866) 874-2646
* Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR)
(1-888-422-8737)
James A. McDonnell, W2LTB
Section Emergency Coordinator
Kentucky ARES
email: w2ltb at arrl.net
web: kyares13.kyham.net
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