Weapons of Mass Destruction

Weapons of Mass Destruction Definition: Any weapon, nuclear device, biological agent, or chemical that can kill a large number of people. Three types of delivery systems usually are considered for WMD, ballistic missiles, cruise missiles, and combat aircraft

Guided Rocket A guided rocket powered delivery vehicle for use against ground targets. A large portion of its flight is in a ballistic trajectory. It’s the optimum delivery system for WMD.

Cruise Missile A cruise missile is a guided missile that flies at a moderate speed and at low altitude, following the terrain beneath it. The Tomahawk is a cruise missile

Common Biological Agents Anthrax Botulism Toxin Plague Small pox Tularemia Viral Hemorrhagic fevers Ricin

Treatment of Biologicals In general the prehospital treatment for any of these biological agents will include supportive measures for ABC’s (airway, breathing, circulation) Because of the potential for infection appropriate protective equipment should be used

Chemical Agents Multiple forms of chemical and or nerve agents that could be used for a WMD Classified by the symptoms they cause Blistering agents Blood agents Nerve agents

Classification of Chemical Weapons- By Human Effects Blister Agents Choking Agents Blood Agents Nerve Agents

Blister Agents Intended to cause incapacitation rather than death Used extensively during WWI Tactic: Overload a region’s medical facilities Examples: Lewisite, Mustard Gas

Blistering Agents Mustard Gas Mustard Lewisite Nitrogen Mustard Burning and blistering of the eyes and skin Coughing and respiratory distress

Blistering Agents Treatment Protective clothing / gas mask Avoid vapor clouds Begin the decontamination process Support the patients ABC’s Dress large blisters

Choking Agents Most common during WWI but have lost much of their usefulness since the advent of the nerve agents. Intended to cause death Easily obtained Example: Phosgene (CG as designated by the military) is a common industrial chemical with a moderate lethal dose

Choking Agents Chlorine Diphosgene Phosgene Cause eye and airway irritation Respiratory irritation; coughing, hoarseness, dyspnea, chest tightness, and pulmonary edema

Choking Agents Treatment Protective clothing Immediate evacuation Support patients ABC’s

Blood Agents Cyanide based compounds are the main components of the blood agents Rapid rate of evaporation Tactic: assassination of an individual since these agents aren’t well suited for use on a large number of people Example: Hydrogen Cyanide (AC)

Blood Agents Cyanogens chloride Hydrogen chloride Seizures Respiratory Arrest / Cardiac Arrest

Blood Agents Treatment Protective suits / masks Decontamination procedures Support patients ABC’s Cyanide Antidote Kits-- not approved for EMS

Nerve Agents Newest trend in chemical weapons Original nerve agents were developed by German scientists during the 1930’s as insecticides and were developed into chemical weapons by the Nazi military later that decade. Sarin, Tabun, Soman and other agents have been the main toxins stockpiled as chemical weapons

Nerve Agents Nerve agents are hundreds to thousands times more lethal than blister, choking or blood agents Most useful to terrorists because only a minute quantity is necessary to cause a substantial amount of casualties In their most effective form, most nerve agents are more difficult to obtain VX and Sarin, the most toxic of the nerve agents, can be synthesized by a moderately competent organic chemist.

Nerve Agents Tabun Sarin Soman VX These agents act on all parts of the nervous system Pinpointed pupils, runny noses ,difficulty breathing, seizures, and convulsions

Nerve Agents Treatment Protective suits / gas masks Mark I Antidote Kit (2 Pam) Two auto injectors Atropine 2 mgs Pralidoxime Chloride 600 mg

For Comparison…United States Stockpiles of CW (June, 2000)

2013

The 1925 Geneva Protocol banned the use of chemical weapons in warfare The 1925 Geneva Protocol banned the use of chemical weapons in warfare. By 1993 the Chemical Weapons Convention asked signatory nations to destroy their existing chemical weapons stockpiles and stop producing new ones. Of the signatories, the United States and Russia are the two countries with the largest chemical weapon stockpiles. Currently, they are in the process of destroying them. Among the signatory states that have not yet ratified the Convention we find Israel and Myanmar. States that have not signed the Convention include Angola, Egypt, North Korea, South Sudan, and Syria.

Additional Weapons Nuclear Weapons Incendiary Devices Dirty Bombs A small incendiary device used to disperse radioactive material

Nuclear Attack Evacuation of residents around the targeted area If a nuclear blast occurs, seek cover preferably underground. You can take cover behind anything, lie flat on the ground and cover head. Fallout will take 15-20 minutes to arrive

Nuclear Attack Signs and Symptoms Blast type injuries and burns Radiation exposure Vomiting Headache Fatigue Weakness Thermal burn like effects Secondary infections Bleeding and hair loss

Nuclear Attack Treatment Protective equipment Radioactive decontamination procedures Support patients ABC’s

Conventional Incendiary Devices Terrorist organizations are prone to wipe out the rescuers through secondary blast devices Scene safety should be of paramount concern Burns and blast injuries Utilize standard MCI protocols