Accession Number:

ADA539576

Title:

Medical Management of Chemical Toxicity in Pediatrics

Descriptive Note:

Book chapter

Corporate Author:

ARMY MEDICAL RESEARCH INST OF CHEMICAL DEFENSE ABERDEEN PROVING GROUND MD

Personal Author(s):

• Hilmas, Elora
• Hilmas, Corey J.

Report Date:

2009-01-01

Pagination or Media Count:

33.0

Abstract:

There are essentially millions of chemical compounds known to humanity, but only a limited number are weaponized by conventional militaries. The Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons OPCW, the 184- member watchdog agency enforcing the guidelines of the Chemical Weapons Convention CWC , has identified 55 chemical agents and their precursors that can be used as weapons OPCW, 2005. Although some of the chemicals are well known e.g. sarin, soman, VX, mustard, other less obvious choices for chemical terrorism include industrial chemicals such as chlorine and toxic precursors, which are considered weapons of opportunity . In the hands of terrorists, chemical warfare agents CWAs and toxic industrial chemicals TICs pose significant threats to civilian populations. A 2002 report to Congress by the Central Intelligence Agency reported that terrorist groups have expressed interest in many toxic industrial chemicals - most of which are relatively easy to acquire and handle - and traditional chemical agents, including chlorine and phosgene DCI, 2002. While traditional CW As like nerve agents are attractive to terrorist groups, these agents require a significant degree of financial resources and capital knowledge to manufacture. Furthermore, the USA and remaining signatory members of the CWC have pledged nonproliferation of CWAs OPCW, 2005. Unfortunately, millions of tons of TICs continue to be manufactured annually in the USA alone. While they support the wide variety of products generated on a daily basis, including dyes, textiles, medicines, solvents, plastics, paints, and insecticides, they are lethal compounds in the hands of terrorists.

Descriptors:

• *PEDIATRICS
• *CHEMICAL WARFARE AGENTS
• *CHEMICAL COMPOUNDS
• *MEDICAL SERVICES
• *TOXICITY
• CHEMICAL ORDNANCE
• TEXTILES
• TERRORISM
• INSECTICIDES
• NERVE AGENTS
• GB AGENT
• GD AGENT
• CHLORINE
• CIVILIAN POPULATION
• DYES
• PHOSGENE
• LETHAL AGENTS
• TERRORISTS
• THREATS

Subject Categories:

• Personnel Management and Labor Relations
• Medicine and Medical Research
• Toxicology
• Chemical, Biological and Radiological Warfare

Distribution Statement:

APPROVED FOR PUBLIC RELEASE