Blood agents, such as hydrogen cyanide
or cyanogen chloride, are designed to be delivered in the form of a
vapour or as a gas. When inhaled, these agents prevent the transfer of
oxygen to the cells, causing the body to asphyxiate. Such chemicals
block the enzyme that is necessary for aerobic metabolism, thereby
denying oxygen to the red blood cells, which has an immediate effect
similar to that of carbon monoxide. Cyanogen chloride inhibits the
proper utilisation of oxygen within the blood cells.
Arsine is a colorless, denser-than-air
gas, at concentrations of greater than 0.5 ppm a slight garlic or
fish-like odour due to decomposition. People exposed to a low or
moderate dose of arsine by inhalation may experience some or all of the
following symptoms within 24 hours of exposure: confusion, drowsiness,
fatigue, headache, muscle cramps, nausea, vomiting, and/or abdominal
pain, rapid breathing, red or dark urine, shortness of breath, weakness,
jaundice.
Cyanogen bromide is volatile, and
readily absorbed through the skin or gastrointestinal tract. Therefore,
toxic exposure may occur by inhalation, physical contact, or ingestion.
It is acutely toxic, causing a variety of nonspecific symptoms. Exposure
to even small amounts may cause convulsions or death. Inhalation may
cause: Sore throat, cough, burning sensation, convulsions, dizziness,
headache, shortness of breath, laboured breathing, nausea.,
unconsciousness, vomiting.
Mild to moderate inhalation dose
causes: CNS effects: headache, confusion, anxiety, dizziness, weakness,
and loss of consciousness. Cardiovascular effects: palpitations.
Respiratory effects: respiratory tract irritation, dyspnea, hyperpnea.
GI effects: nausea and vomiting. Severe inhalation exposure
causes: coma, seizures, and dilated pupils (mydriasis).
Cardiovascular effects: shock, cardiac dysrhythmias, critically low
blood pressure, and cardiac arrest. Respiratory effects: abnormally
rapid, followed by abnormally slow respirations; accumulation of fluid
in the lungs (pulmonary edema); and respiratory arrest. Eye effects:
dilated pupils, inflammation of the surface of the eye, and temporary
blindness. Skin exposure causes irritation. Contact with gas or
liquefied gas may cause burns, severe injury, and/or frostbite. Contact
with the skin can contribute to whole-body (systemic) toxicity.
A colorless, extremely poisonous and
flammable liquid that boils slightly above room temperature with a faint
bitter almond-like odor that some people are unable to detect owing to a
recessive genetic trait. A hydrogen cyanide concentration in the range
of 100-200 ppm in air will kill a human within 10 to 60 minutes.
Effects occur extremely rapidly following exposure to hydrogen cyanide
(AC). After inhalation exposure, symptoms begin within seconds to
minutes; death may occur within minutes. After skin exposure, onset of
symptoms may be immediate or delayed for 30 to 60 minutes. Eye
exposure results in irritation. Ingestion results in a burning sensation
in mouth and throat, nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain. Systemic
toxicity can occur. The effects of inhalation depend upon exposure
levels. Mild to moderate exposure may cause headache, confusion,
anxiety, dizziness, weakness, and loss of consciousness, palpitations,
respiratory tract irritation, difficulty breathing or dyspnea, and
transient hyperpnea), nausea and emesis. Severe exposure may cause
coma, seizures, and mydriasis, shock, dysrhythmias,
critically low blood pressure, and cardiac arrest, abnormally rapid
followed by abnormally slow breathing, pulmonary oedema) and respiratory
arrest, dilated pupils, inflammation of the surface of the eye, and
temporary blindness.
Absorption through the skin is rapid and can contribute to whole-body
(systemic) toxicity.
A yellowish oily liquid with an
onion-like odour. Highly toxic by inhalation and skin absorption.
Strongly irritates skin and mucous membranes. Corrosive to skin, eyes,
and respiratory system. Liquid or spray mist may produce tissue damage,
particularly in mucous membranes of the eyes, mouth and respiratory
tract. Skin contact may produce burns. Eye contact can result in corneal
damage or blindness. Inhalation of the spray mist may produce severe
irritation of respiratory tract, characterized by coughing, choking, or
shortness of breath. Severe overexposure can result in injury or death.
Irritating to eyes and skin on contact. Inhalation causes irritation of
the lungs and respiratory system. Inflammation of the eye is
characterized by redness, watering, and itching. Skin inflammation is
characterized by itching, scaling, reddening, or, occasionally,
blistering.
