1. GAS GAS GAS! Introduction to Weapons of Mass Destruction for Anesthesia Providers
Version 1.0
Robert C. Jones, M.D.
LtCol, USAF, MC
Staff Anesthesiologist
89th Medical Wing
Andrews AFB, MD

2. Alexander Pope (1688-1744) on Education via Powerpoint® Slides:
"A little learning is a dangerous thing; / Drink deep, or taste not the Pierian spring; / There shallow draughts intoxicate the brain, / And drinking largely sobers us again."
This presentation should be considered only a brief introduction to the complex topic of WMD/NBC warfare
Many U.S. and allied military personnel have spent their entire careers researching and teaching this material...the author was given far less time than that…
The reference pages include hyperlinks to exhaustive and authoritative sources for further study…please use them. Your future patients will thank you.
The CD also includes many helpful resources in Adobe Acrobat® format; you can get the free Acrobat® reader here:
If you can’t get the hyperlinks to work, see this workaround from Microsoft:

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4. Part 1: Chemical Warfare
Historical Perspective
Classes of Chemical Warfare Agents
Clinical Details of Chemical Agents
Specific Anesthesia-related Issues
References

5. Part 2: Biological Warfare
Historical Perspective
Classes of Biological Warfare Agents
Specific Anesthesia-related Issues
References

6. Part 3: Nuclear/Radiological Warfare
Historical Perspective
Types of Radiological Warfare Agents
Specific Anesthesia-related Issues
Future Issues: The Final Frontier?
References

8. Part 1: Chemical Warfare
Historical Perspective
Classes of Chemical Warfare Agents
Clinical Details of Chemical Agents
Specific Anesthesia-related Issues
References

9. Part 1: Chemical Warfare
Historical Perspective
1000 BCE: Chinese used arsenical smoke as weapon
600 BCE: Solon placed hellebore in water of Kirrha
500 BCE: Sun Tzu writes of military uses of fire
300 BCE: Indian Text Arthashastra, Chapter XIV, describes recipes for chemical/biological warfare
678 CE: Byzantines use “Greek Fire” to destroy fleet
References:

10. Historical Perspective (cont'd)
First Modern Use: WWI: Ypres, France, 22 April 1915
5700 cylinders of chlorine gas released by Germans
Phosgene, Mustard gas soon followed
Reference:

11. Historical Perspective (cont’d)
Nerve Agents first developed by German Chemist Gerhard Schrader prior to WWII:
Tabun (GA) [1936], Sarin (GB) [1938], Soman (GD) [1944] (Note: “G” stands for “G”erman)
U.K. Developed VX in 1952– given to U.S.
Iraq known to possess Cyclosarin (GF), Dusty VX
References:

12. Historical Perspective (cont’d)
From
Defoliants, incapacitant BZ used by U.S. in Vietnam
Iraq and Iran used chemical weapons extensively during Iran-Iraq war (mustard, tabun, mycotoxins, etc.)
Sarin deployed by Aum Shinri Kyo, Tokyo, 1995
References:

13. Classes of CW Agents (with examples)
Blister (mustard, Lewisite, phosgene oxime)
Blood (HCN, cyanogen chloride, arsine)
Choking (Chlorine, Phosgene)
Nerve (tabun, soman, sarin, VX)
Incapacitating (BZ, LSD, Agent 15)
Vomiting (DA, DC, DM)
Irritants (CS, CN, CR)
Used mainly for law enforcement/crowd control; not covered in this lecture

14. U.S. Military Chemical Warfare Agent Classification
Category
US Code
Common Name
Blister Agents HD
Distilled Mustard L
Lewisite CX
Phosgene oxime
Blood Agents AC
Hydrogen cyanide CK
Cyanogen chloride
Choking Agents CG
Phosgene CL
Chlorine
Nerve Agents GA
Tabun GB
Sarin GD
Soman VX
Incapacitation Agents
BZ, QNB
Quinuclidinyl benzilate
Modified from:

15. Blister (Vesicant) Agents
Mustard Gas:
Mustard/Nitrogen Mustard: Attack DNA via alkylation; hydrolysis releases HCl (moist parts of body especially vulnerable– groin, axilla, eyes…)
Phosgene oxime: not true vesicant; unbearable pain; penetrates chem gear and rubber easily
Mustard heavier than air; persistent in cold temps
< 5% fatality rate for mustard-- morbidity overwhelms care facilities, degrades readiness; psychological effect
Sources:

16. Blister (Vesicant) Agents (Cont'd)
WW I British Soldiers blinded
by Mustard (note bandages: not good idea…keeps agent in contact
with cornea longer)
Sources: ;

17. Blood Agents
Hydrogen Cyanide:
"Blood Agent" antiquated term: actual site of toxicity inside cells (not bloodstream)
Cyanide moiety binds to cytochrome a3  halts oxidative phosphorylation
CNCl one of many cyanide-producing substances (including many seeds, cassava root, etc.)
Scent of "bitter almonds" genetically determined– 40-50% of population can't detect odor
Sources: ;

18. Blood Agents CN- Blocks electron transfer from cyt-a3 to oxygen

19. Blood Agents Jonestown massacre, 1978: ingested in fruit drink
Gaseous HCN used during WWII at Nazi "Extermination Camps"
Deadly via ingestion or inhalation, cyanide forces cells to resort to anaerobic metabolism  death by cellular anoxia in minutes

20. Blood Agent Treatment 100% oxygen– intubate as needed
Cyanide Antidote Kit (often stocked in hospitals):
Amyl nitrite via inhalation– 1 amp (0.2 cc) q 5 mins PRN
Sodium nitrite: 300 mg iv over 5-10 mins
Sodium thiosulfate: 12.5 grams iv
Blood agents kill so quickly, many patients will die before treatment
Patients who are awake/alert >5 mins after exposure often need no significant treatment

21. Choking Agents
Phosgene:
ARDS/SIRS caused by phosgene
Chlorine release on battlefield, WWI
John Doughty, a New York City schoolteacher, first suggested use of chlorine gas as a CW agent during the American Civil War (not used)
Chlorine: Reacts with water in lungs to form HCl, hypochlorous acid, free radicals
Phosgene: HCl released in lungs; scent:new-mown hay
Heavier than air: collected in WWI trenches
Common pathophysiology: fulminant pulmonary edema/ARDS; little long-term damage if survived
Sources:

22. Nerve Agents VX nerve agent:
“Control Room!” he gasped then, and every speaker throughout the great cruiser of the void blared out the warning as he forced his already evacuated lungs to absolute emptiness. “Vee-Two Gas! Get tight!”
--First Officer Conway Costigan, Triplanetary, E.E. “Doc” Smith, © 1948
Nerve Agents are among the most feared of all weapons of war
Insidious, odorloss, colorless, extremely lethal
All are anticholinesterases; antidotes/treatment available
Macromedia Shockwave graphic of neuronal transmission:

23. Pathophysiology of Nerve Agents
Nerve agents interfere with acetylcholinesterase; excessive ACh leads to depolarizing neuromuscular blockade downregulation of ACh receptors nondepolarizing blockade long-term effects

24. Nerve Agent Symptoms: Salivation Lacrimation Urination Defecation
Early symptoms due to muscarinic effects (mnemonic: SLUDGE):
Salivation
Lacrimation
Urination
Defecation
Gastrointestinal pain/gas
Emesis
Note: also Early Signs: bronchospasm, bradycardia, miosis from cholinergic effects

25. Nerve Agent Symptoms (cont’d):
Late signs/symptoms due to nicotinic effecs and GABA antagonism:
Nicotinic Effects:
Impaired motor ability
Tachycardia (adrenal stimulation/hypercarbia)
Weakness
Flaccid paralysis
Apnea death
GABA Antagonism:
tremors seizures/convulsions  death

26. Types of Nerve Agents Tabun (GA)– first developed
Sarin (GB)– used by Aum Shinri Kyo
Soman (GD)– receptor “aging” a factor
Cyclohexyl Sarin (GF)– sarin derivative
VX– persistent agent; 100X more deadly than Sarin via skin, 2 X deadlier via inhalation
Dusty VX– VX + carrier (talc, diatomaceous earth): penetrates standard chem gear easily
See: for details of individual agents/treatment guidelines; see for chemical structures of agents; see for dusty agent info

27. Nerve Agent Antidotes
Unlike many chem/bio weapons, specific antidotes available for nerve agents
Atropine: anticholinergic; 2 mg q 2-5 mins titrated to antimuscarinic effect (reversal of bronchospasm, diminished airway secretions, improvement of bradycardia); NO effect on nicotinic sxs (weakness/paralysis); Mark 1 autoinjector: 2 mg IM dose
Oximes (Pralidoxime [2-PAM Chloride, protopam], others): disrupts covalent bond between nerve agent and ACh; prevents “aging’ of receptors if given fast enough (2 minutes for soman); 1-2 grams IV/IM; Mark 1 autoinjector: 600 mg IM dose
Benzodiazepines (midazolam, diazepam): for seizures; barbiturates CONTRAINDICATED (effects increased by anticholinesterases)
Mydriatic cycloplegics (Tropicamide [Mydriacyl®, others]): for eye pain, miosis
Experimental/Future Antidotes: H-series oximes, exogenous anticholinesterase, monoclonal antibodies against nerve agents
Excellent discussion of nerve agent treatment:

28. Pyridostigmine, Soman, and Aging
Soman causes rapid permanent inactivation of ACh receptors (minutes), vs. hours for other nerve agents
Pyridostigmine bromide (PB) protects subset of ACh receptors during soman exposure– improves outcome with immediate atropine/oxime treatment only
PB has side-effects (controversial topic)
See references below for more info
Brief review: Extensive review:

29. Persistence and Dissemination
Environmental stability of chemical agents varies greatly
HCN gas dissipates rapidly (minutes) in sunlight; mustard, VX persist for weeks/months in cold environment
Expect waves of casualties based on secondary contamination
Primary threat of chemical weapons is aerosol; contact threat from mustard/VX
See for detailed description of persistence/dissemination info on chem/bio agents

30. General Principles of Treatment for Chemical Casualties
Force Protection: Don’t become a casualty yourself
Terminate Exposure: Remove from attack site
Triage: Immediate/Delayed/Minimal/Expectant
Decontaminate: full exposure/wash/rinse/repeat
Antidotes: based on clinical suspicion; won’t know agent early on
Atropine is your friend: may need 200+ mg for severe cases; dose to effect (tachycardia is not endpoint)
Benzos for seizures: midazolam, diazepam
Intubation: consider non-depolarizing agent
Children/Elderly most susceptible to chemical agents
Modified from:

31. Decontamination of Chemical Warfare Casualties
Rule #1: Don’t become a casualty yourself!
Many physicians/healthcare providers became nerve gas casualties after Tokyo sarin attack…standard universal precautions USELESS
Expect at least a 5:1 ratio of unaffected to affected casualties
Decontaminate victims as soon as possible
Disrobing is decontamination; head to toe, more removal is better
Water flushing generally is the best mass decontamination method
After a known exposure to liquid chemical agent, emergency responders should be decontaminated as soon as possible to avoid serious effects.
From SBCCOM Online Homeland Defense site: also see

32. Decontamination of Chemical Warfare Casualties (cont’d)
Rule #2: Refer to Rule #1! Decontamination before Operation!
First responders should assess ABCs/start Triage
All care providers in MOPP 4 or civilian equivalent protective gear
Ambulatory victims directed to marked safe area for decon
All clothing/jewelry removed; clothing/belongings bagged/tagged
Flush with water 2-5 mins (flush eyes 15 mins if exposed)
Never transport patients to hospital before full decon
Hospital should guard against contaminated “walk-ins”
See and for Decon Station setup/management; pictures from and

33. Anesthesia Care for Chemical Warfare Casualties
Airway Management
Assume full stomach/associated injuries/hypovolemia
Bronchospasm common effect of chlorine, phosgene, riot-control agents (CS, CN), nerve agents  treat with inhaled beta-agonists
Secretions markedly increased treat with atropine for nerve agents (central effects) or glycopyrrolate for others (peripheral effects)
Intubation facilitated with ketamine– safest induction agent
Patients intubatable without drugs due to coma/flaccid paralysis: consider triage to expectant if limited resources

34. Anesthesia Care for Chemical Warfare Casualties (cont’d)
Breathing
Oxygen therapy titrated to effect
Assume massive requirement for nebulized bronchodilators; consider combined albuterol + ipratropium bromide treatment (DuoNeb®) for increased anticholinergic effect (nerve agents)
Consider ventilator status: may need to draft hospital personnel to bag patients while awaiting transport to other facilities
Pulmonary toilet key: frequent endotracheal suctioning may be required, especially with phosgene/chlorine (fulminant toxic [non-cardiac] pulmonary edema)

36. Anesthesia Care for Chemical Warfare Casualties (cont’d)
Circulation:
Remember associated injuries from blast/trauma
Assume hypovolemia
Blister agent victims do not require massive resuscitation of thermal injury patients
Tachycardia from antidote treatment (correctly or incorrectly administered) may take away monitor for hypovolemia– watch urine output; may need invasive monitoring in severe cases
Warm fluids– patients may be hypothermic from decontamination and environmental exposure

37. Anesthesia Care for Chemical Warfare Casualties (cont’d)
Disability:
Treat seizures with benzos
Anticipate lots of unexposed anxious patients– may see hyperventilation mimic toxic exposure
Central Anticholinergic Syndrome (CAS): from excess atropine effect; Mnemonic:
Hot as a hare (Hyperthermia from impaired sweating)
Dry as a bone (Dry mouth from antisialogogue effect)
Red as a beet (Flushed skin)
Blind as bat (Mydriasis)
Mad as a hatter (Delirium from central anti-ACh effect of atropine)
treat CAS with pysostigmine 1-2 mg iv gingerly; patient may need protection from self-injury (restraints)
See

38. Anesthesia Care for Chemical Warfare Casualties (cont’d)
Exposure:
Patient should have been stripped/decontaminated before presenting to anesthesia (if not, refer to Rule #1: Don’t become a casualty yourself)
At the first sign of toxicity in yourself, seek treatment for exposure: you are no good to your patients dead
Treat hypothermia with forced air warming blankets, warmed fluids, increased ambient temperature
See

39. Anesthesia Care for Chemical Warfare Casualties (cont’d)
Other:
Pyridostigmine pretreatment and anesthesia: See the article by Keeler on CD: sidell_keeler_1990.pdf
Basic issues are resistance to succinylcholine and sensitivity to non-depolarizers; risk of phase II block with succinylcholine drip; use nerve stimulator to assess status of NMJ to prevent prolonged blockade
Atropine resistance due to AChE effects of PYR
Use nerve stimulator (DoRD guideline)
See

40. References: Chemical Warfare
(USAMRIID instructional materials)
(CDC bioterrorism site)
(NATO handbook on NBC Defense)
(excellent site; CME available)
(SBCCOM Homeland Defense site)
(amazing Virtual Naval Hospital site; See NBC links about half way down page; Go Navy!)

42. Part 2: Biological Warfare
Historical Perspective
Classes of Biological Warfare Agents
Specific Anesthesia-related Issues
References

43. Biowar: Historical Perspective
Ancient use of cadavers to poison wells
Neolithic use of frog poisons (curare) in South America
1347, Kaffa, Crimea: Tatar leader Kipchak khan Janibeg (supported by Venetians) catapulted bodies of bubonic plague victims into Genoese city
1763: British forces gave smallpox-infected blankets to immunolically-naïve Native Americans
Christopher, GW, et al, Biological warfare: a historical perspective, JAMA. 1997;278: ;

44. Biowar: Historical Perspective
WWI: Burkholderia (Pseudomonas) mallei and Bacillus anthracis used by German agents to infect horses with glanders and anthrax
WWII: Japanese biowarfare Unit 731 and others conducted experiments on prisoners; Chinese cities attacked with B anthracis, V cholerae, Shigella spp, Salmonella spp, and Y pestis.
Vietnam: pungi sticks smeared with excrement
1984: Salad bars in Oregon contaminated with Salmonella Typhimurium to influence local election
Christopher, GW, et al, Biological warfare: a historical perspective, JAMA. 1997;278:

45. Definition of Biowarfare Agent
The NATO definition of a biological agent is: a microorganism (or a toxin derived from it) which causes disease in man, plants or animals or which causes the deterioration of material
Toxin. A poisonous substance produced or derived from living plants, animals, or microorganisms… toxins have a relatively simple biochemical composition and are not able to reproduce themselves. In many aspects, they are comparable to chemical agents
Source: FM 8-9: NATO Handbook on the Medical Aspects of NBC Defensive Operations AMedP-6(B): Part II - Biological;

46. Classes of Biowarfare Agents
Bacteria (self-replicate; many communicable)
Viruses (replicate via host; communicable)
Toxins (most lethal substances; non-communicable)
Future: Genetically Modified Organisms
Future: Nanotech mechanical viruses

47. Bacillus Anthracis

48. Bacteria likely to be used in Biowarfare
Bacillus anthracis (anthrax) : deadly attacks on Washington D.C., Florida, October 2001
Francisella tularensis (tularemia)
Yersinia pestis (plague)
Coxiella burnetii (Q-Fever)
Pseudomonas pseudomallei (Melioidosis)
Vibrio cholerae (cholera)-- toxin
Clostridium botulinum (botulism)-- toxin

49. Ebola Virus

50. Viruses likely to be used in Biowarfare
Venezuelan Equine Encephalitis (VEE)
Viral hemorrhagic fever agents (Marburg, Ebola, Congo-Crimean Hemorrhagic Fever, Rift Valley Fever, etc.)
Variola (smallpox)
Genetically-engineered superviruses

51. Ricin (from ricinus communis)

52. Toxins likely to be used in Biowarfare
Saxitoxin-- neurotoxin from marine dinoflagellates
Botulinum-- C. botulinum
Ricin-- castor bean seeds
Staphylococcal Enterotoxin B (SEB)
Alpha toxin-- C. perfringens
Tetrodotoxin-- from blowfish
Tricothecene mycotoxins (>40)-- Yellow Rain; significant as only dermally-active toxin

53. Toxin Case Study: Georgi Markov
Bulgarian émigré writer and journalist
Critical of communist regime
Assassinated in London: microball laced with ricin injected via modified umbrella weapon 7 Sep 1978
Died 4 days later-- No antidote

54. Polio virus http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/2122619.stm
"To construct the virus, the researchers say they followed a recipe they downloaded from the internet and used gene sequences from a mail-order supplier"
Picture:

55. GMO Agents: Brave New World?
2002: Cello, et al.: Synthetic polio virus created from scratch
Genetically Modified Organisms (GMO) increasingly common in food supply-- soon among biowarfare agents?
Possible to create resistance to known treatments, increased virulence, altered disease pattern to disguise source, etc.
Cello J,  Paul AV, Wimmer E,  Chemical synthesis of poliovirus cDNA: Generation of infectious virus in the absence of natural template. Science 2002 July 11.

56. Nanobot injecting red cells

57. Nanotech Agents: Mors ex machina
Nanotechnology: "Research and technology development at the atomic, molecular or macromolecular levels, in the length scale of approximately nanometer range"
Disruptive Technology-- could render current offensive/defensive/sensor systems obsolete
U.S. Government National Nanotechnology Initiative site: area of intense research
Micromechanical Doomsday Plague? (Crichton, M., Prey: A Novel, Harper-Collins, 2002)

58. Warning Signs of Biowar Attack

59. Anesthesia Care for Victims of Biowarfare Attack
Refer to Rule #1 for Chemical Agents: Don’t become a casualty yourself
Don’t assume that vaccination is 100% protective
Patients should be decontaminated before being brought to hospital
Hospital should guard against contaminated “walk-ins”– potential to shut down facility
Specific treatment based on agent– seek advice from Infectious Disease consultants/CDC/internet resources

60. References: Biowar
(Medical Management of Biological Casualties Handbook)
(Defense against Toxin Weapons)
(NATO Handbook on NBC Defense: Biological)
(includes CDC categories A, B, C with definitions)
(CDC Anthrax home)
(Smallpox slideset)

62. Part 3: Nuclear/Radiological Warfare
Historical Perspective
Types of Radiological Warfare Agents
Specific Anesthesia-related Issues
Future Issues: The Final Frontier?
References

63. Nuclear Warfare: Historical Perspective
Ancient Atomic Warfare?: 5,000 year old Indian texts describe the military use and aftereffects of nuclear weapons
Some geological formations (Saharan green glass, Scottish vitrified forts) have been interpreted as evidence of ancient atomic explosions
Ancient flying machines (vimanas) are well-described in Indian literature used to deliver nuclear weapons?

64. “Now I am become Death, the Destroyer of Worlds” – The Bhagavad Gita
Dr. Robert Oppenheimer, Father of the A-Bomb
When asked in an interview at Rochester University seven years after
the Alamogordo nuclear test whether that was the first atomic bomb
ever to be detonated, (Oppenheimer’s) reply was:
Well, yes, in modern history, of course.

65. Nuclear Warfare: Historical Perspective (Modern)
Hiroshima, 1945
Hiroshima, 6 August 1945: U-235; 13 kiloton yield; 75,000+ immediate fatalities; many more causalties
Nagasaki, 9 August 1945: U-239; 20 kilton yield; 40,000+ immediate fatalities; many more casualties ;

66. Nuclear Warfare: Historical Perspective (Modern)
Seattle, WA, Feb 29, 2007
5 KT “dirty bomb” laced with U-238 exploded atop Space Needle
207 initial deaths from blast; 2,109 radiation victims; entire city disrupted for 5 days following attack; fear >>> destruction
picture from:
scenario fictitious ;

67. Types of Nuclear Weapons
Fission: splitting of uranium isotope atoms; easier technically; less destructive than fusion
Fusion: combination of hydrogen atoms helium; requires fission trigger; more complex
“Dirty Bomb”: conventional bomb laced with radioactive material; far less destructive than nuclear explosion; “nuclear disruption” of populace vs. destruction

68. Medical Effects of Nuclear Blast
Immediate Ionizing Radiation
Infrared radiation (heat); Indirect effect (fires)
Electromagnetic Pulse (EMP)
Blast (overpressure)
Fallout (delayed radiation)
Psychological effects (panic)

69. Effects of 1 Megaton Blast
Table 3 - Blast Effects of a 1-Mt Explosion 8,000 ft Above the Earth's Surface
Distance from ground zero
Peak overpressure
Peak wind velocity
(mph)
Typical blast effects
(stat. Miles)
(Kilometers) .8
1.3
20 psi
470
Reinforced concrete structures levelled.
3.0
4.8
10 psi
290
Most factories and commercial buildings are collapsed. Small wood-frame and brick residences destroyed and distributed as debris.
4.4
7.0
5 psi
160
Lightly constructed commercial buildings and typical residences are destroyed. Heavier construction is severely damaged.
5.9
9.5
3 psi 95
Walls of typical steel-frame buildings are blown away; severe damage to residences. Winds sufficient to kill people in the open.
11.6
18.6
1 psi 35
Damage to structures, people endangered by flying glass and debris.

70. Radiation Units
(boring stuff you thought you’d never have to see again after USU)
Roentgen: amount of x-ray or gamma ray radiation (electromagnetic radiation) that produces 1/3 x 10-9 coulomb of electric charge in one cubic centimeter of dry air at standard conditions.
RAD: The rad is a unit used to measure a quantity called absorbed dose. This relates to the amount of energy actually absorbed in some material, and is used for any type of radiation and any material. One rad is defined as the absorption of 100 ergs per gram of material. The unit rad can be used for any type of radiation, but it does not describe the biological effects of the different radiations.
REM: The rem is a unit used to derive a quantity called equivalent dose. This relates the absorbed dose in human tissue to the effective biological damage of the radiation. Not all radiation has the same biological effect, even for the same amount of absorbed dose. Equivalent dose is often expressed in terms of thousandths of a rem, or mrem. To determine equivalent dose (rem), you multiply absorbed dose (rad) by a quality factor (Q) that is unique to the type of incident radiation.
Gray: The gray is a unit used to measure a quantity called absorbed dose. The unit gray can be used for any type of radiation, but it does not describe the biological effects of the different radiations. Absorbed dose is often expressed in terms of hundredths of a gray, or centi-grays. One gray is equivalent to 100 rads.
Sievert: The sievert is a unit used to derive a quantity called equivalent dose. This relates the absorbed dose in human tissue to the effective biological damage of the radiation. Not all radiation has the same biological effect, even for the same amount of absorbed dose. Equivalent dose is often expressed in terms of millionths of a sievert, or micro-sievert. To determine equivalent dose (Sv), you multiply absorbed dose (Gy) by a quality factor (Q) that is unique to the type of incident radiation. One sievert is equivalent to 100 rem.

71. Radiological Weapons (Dirty Bombs)
Non-nuclear spread of radioactive materials via conventional explosion
Most likely isotope: Cesium-137 (gamma ray hazard; 30 year half-life; very common [byproduct of nuclear reactors; used in radiation therapy])
Increased risk of cancer long-term (but not severe)

72. Medical Effects of “Dirty Bomb”
“So clothes off, wash up, use an N-95 mask.”
-- Elizabeth Cohen, CNN News, minimizing radiological effects
Blast (1000s of times less than nuclear)
Radiation (1000s of times less than nuclear)
Psychological Effect (panic, possibly severe)
Terror, not absolute destruction, goal of “dirty bomb”

73. Anesthesia Implications of Nuclear/Radiological Weapons
“Duck and Cover”

74. 10 Basics of Response to Nuclear/Radiological Attack
1. Assure medical staff that when an incident combines radiation exposure
with physical injury, initial actions must focus on treating the injuries
and stabilizing the patient.
2. You or your hospital must be prepared to manage large numbers of
frightened, concerned people who may overwhelm your treatment
facility.
3. You or your hospital must have a plan for distinguishing between
patients needing hospital care and those who can go to an off-site facility.
4. You or your hospital must know how to set up an area for treating
radiation incident victims in an emergency room.
5. You or your hospital should be aware that a good way to approach
decontaminating a radioactively contaminated individual is to act as
if he or she had been contaminated with raw sewage.
6. You or your hospital must know how to avoid spreading radioactive
contamination by using a double sheet and stretcher method for transporting
contaminated patients from the ambulance to the emergency
treatment area.
7. You must know how to recognize and treat a patient who has been
exposed to significant levels of radiation.
8. You should recognize the radiological findings of illness/injury caused
by biological or chemical terrorist agents.
9. You should know what agencies or organizations to contact in the event
of a radiation emergency and how to reach them.
10. You or your hospital must have a plan to evaluate and counsel noninjured
patients exposed to radiation at a location outside of the hospital.

75. Triage of Radiation Casualties
From:

76. Anesthesia Implications
Rule #1: Don’t become a casualty yourself! Ensure appropriate patient decon before admission to hospital
Hospital should have system to guard against contaminated “walk-ins”; Geiger counters at entrances
Primary surgical issues will be conventional traumatic injuries (possible pneumothorax/barotrauma from overpressure; most injuries caused by flying debris); initial ATLS approach appropriate after decon
Supportive care; careful attention to sterile technique in patients with crashing immune systems/incipient neutropenia
Brain irradiation may cause unpredictable CNS dysfunction
Radiation victims far less threat to health care providers than chem-bio warfare victims (radiation decreases as square of distance from source); most damaging radiation to tissues (alpha) also short-range (millimeters)

77. Future Issues

78. Future Issues: Directed Energy Weapons
Vehicle-Mounted Active Denial System (V-MADS)
Frying Purple People Heater: U.S. military has deployed directed V-MADS directed energy weapon crowd control purposes; uses 95 GHz millimeter waves to heat skin; range 700 meters
U.S. Army Field Manual 71-2, Appendix D: “The battlefield of the next war will include directed-energy weapons (DEWs). Several threat weapons have already been tested in combat; improved versions of these weapons may be fielded soon. For the task force commander, the DEW battlefield is here now.”
Potential terrorist weapon: Insidious, painful, difficult to counteract

79. Future Issues: The Final Frontier?
“Lord Sri Krsna drove the chariot between the two armies on the Battlefield of Kuruksetra, and while there He shortened the life spans of the opposite party by His merciful glance.”
From
Revolutions in military affairs: Saltatory evolution (stone stick sword  bow and arrow  gun  directed energy  ? psychic weapons )
Air University Study Air Force 2025 explicitly mentions psychotronic weapons as a “wild card” of future warfare that may vitiate U.S. conventional military advantage (along with nanotechnology, genetic engineering…)
U.S. Army Command and General Staff College’s Military Review, December 1980, “The New Mental Battlefield: Beam Me Up, Spock”: Psychotronics, mind control, and remote viewing as elements of 21st century warfare

80. References: Treating Radiation Casualties
(Health Consequences of Nuclear War)
(Nuclear War Resources)
(NATO Handbook on Medical Aspects of Nuclear Warfare)

81. Questions? --The Powerpoint Ranger’s Creed
This is my PowerPoint. There are many like it but mine is 2000.
My PowerPoint is my best friend. It is my life. I must master it as I master my life.
My PowerPoint without me is useless. Without my PowerPoint, I am useless.
I must format my slides true. I must brief them better than the other staff sections who are trying to out brief me.
I must brief the impact on the CINC before he asks me. I will.
My PowerPoint and myself know that what counts in this war is not the information. We know that it is the number of slides, the colors of the highlights, and the format of the bullets that counts.
My PowerPoint is human, even as I, because it is my life. Thus I will learn it as a brother. I will learn its weaknesses, its
strengths, its fonts, its accessories, its formats, and its colors.
I will keep my PowerPoint slides current and ready to brief. We will become part of each other. We will…
Before The Goddess I swear this creed. My PowerPoint and myself are defenders of my country. We are the masters of our subject. We are the saviors of my career.
So be it, until victory is America's and there is no enemy, but peace (and the next exercise)!
--The Powerpoint Ranger’s Creed