HMC-FMF-PJ
04-21-2007, 23:24
Chlorine was used during World War I as a choking (pulmonary) agent. In the US, chlorine gas is one of the most common single, irritant, inhalation exposures, both occupationally and environmentally. The largest single source of exposure (21%) was caused by mixing bleach with other cleaning products or common chemicals.
On 28Jan2007, a truck carrying explosives and a chlorine tank blew up in Anbar province. Since that time nearly a dozen deliberate chlorine attacks have occurred in Iraq and a VBIED factory was captured in late February which was experimenting with weaponizing various industrial chemicals.
Chlorine gas appears to be yellow-green in color and can be recognized by its pungent, irritating odor, which is like the odor of bleach. Chlorine itself is not flammable, but it can react explosively or form explosive compounds with other chemicals. When liquid chlorine is released, it quickly turns into a gas that stays close to the ground and spreads rapidly. (sinks away as opposed to floating away)
Chlorine gas may cause death by inhalation but experts say the heat from an explosion can render the gas nontoxic. In general, chlorine is inefficient as a weapon and easy to detect. Because it is water-soluble, even covering the mouth and nose with a damp cloth can reduce the effect of the gas. While such field expedient "damp cloth" defense is NOT recommended and provides ZERO protection for the eyes, it is better than nothing and can quickly provide civilians trapped in the area with a MINIMAL level of protection ('better than nothing') However, even the M40-protective mask provides limited protection against chlorine and should only be considered as an escape device.
The extent of poisoning caused by chlorine depends on the amount of chlorine a person is exposed to, how the person was exposed, and the length of time of the exposure. When chlorine gas comes into contact with moist tissues such as the eyes, throat, and lungs, an acid is produced that can damage these tissues causing difficulty in breathing and skin irritation. The onset can occur within minutes or hours, depending upon severity of exposure. There is no specific prophylactic or postexposure therapy for chlorine inhalation; therefore, postexposure care is directed toward treating the observed physiological signs and symptoms.
[] Don personal protective gear (gas mask), sound alarm (Gas! Gas! Gas!), and secure the tactical situation while moving upwind (out of the gas cloud)
[] Tactically remove casualties from the toxic environment. (mask & move)
[] As the tactical situation allows, commence primary decon and treatment.
[] Do NOT perform mouth-to-mouth respirations on chemical casualties.
[] Triage and evaluate for evacuation (CASEVAC)
[] Continute monitoring personnel for up to 6 hours for delayed onset of symptoms
[] Refer for complete evaluation upon return to base and document exposures
[] Replace canister on gas mask
Chlorine Improvised Explosive Devices and Preventive Medicine Actions
http://usachppm.apgea.army.mil/documents/FACT/36-015-0407_Chlorine_IEDs.pdf
Chlorine Gas Attacks in Iraq Injure 350
http://www.voanews.com/english/2007-03-17-voa5.cfm
CDC Chemical Emergencies: Chlorine
http://www.bt.cdc.gov/agent/chlorine/
NIH Medline Plus: Chlorine poisoning
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/002772.htm
eMedicine's patient education article: Toxicity, Chlorine Gas
http://www.emedicine.com/emerg/topic851.htm
DOT 2004 Emergency Response Guidebook (ERG2004)
http://hazmat.dot.gov/pubs/erg/erg2004.pdf
Textbook of Military Medicine: Medical Aspects of Chemical and Biological Warfare (1997)
https://ccc.apgea.army.mil/sarea/products/textbook/Web_Version/index_2.htm
Field Management of Chemical Casualties
https://ccc.apgea.army.mil/SArea/products/handbooks/FMCC/08_FieldManagement.htm
On 28Jan2007, a truck carrying explosives and a chlorine tank blew up in Anbar province. Since that time nearly a dozen deliberate chlorine attacks have occurred in Iraq and a VBIED factory was captured in late February which was experimenting with weaponizing various industrial chemicals.
Chlorine gas appears to be yellow-green in color and can be recognized by its pungent, irritating odor, which is like the odor of bleach. Chlorine itself is not flammable, but it can react explosively or form explosive compounds with other chemicals. When liquid chlorine is released, it quickly turns into a gas that stays close to the ground and spreads rapidly. (sinks away as opposed to floating away)
Chlorine gas may cause death by inhalation but experts say the heat from an explosion can render the gas nontoxic. In general, chlorine is inefficient as a weapon and easy to detect. Because it is water-soluble, even covering the mouth and nose with a damp cloth can reduce the effect of the gas. While such field expedient "damp cloth" defense is NOT recommended and provides ZERO protection for the eyes, it is better than nothing and can quickly provide civilians trapped in the area with a MINIMAL level of protection ('better than nothing') However, even the M40-protective mask provides limited protection against chlorine and should only be considered as an escape device.
The extent of poisoning caused by chlorine depends on the amount of chlorine a person is exposed to, how the person was exposed, and the length of time of the exposure. When chlorine gas comes into contact with moist tissues such as the eyes, throat, and lungs, an acid is produced that can damage these tissues causing difficulty in breathing and skin irritation. The onset can occur within minutes or hours, depending upon severity of exposure. There is no specific prophylactic or postexposure therapy for chlorine inhalation; therefore, postexposure care is directed toward treating the observed physiological signs and symptoms.
[] Don personal protective gear (gas mask), sound alarm (Gas! Gas! Gas!), and secure the tactical situation while moving upwind (out of the gas cloud)
[] Tactically remove casualties from the toxic environment. (mask & move)
[] As the tactical situation allows, commence primary decon and treatment.
[] Do NOT perform mouth-to-mouth respirations on chemical casualties.
[] Triage and evaluate for evacuation (CASEVAC)
[] Continute monitoring personnel for up to 6 hours for delayed onset of symptoms
[] Refer for complete evaluation upon return to base and document exposures
[] Replace canister on gas mask
Chlorine Improvised Explosive Devices and Preventive Medicine Actions
http://usachppm.apgea.army.mil/documents/FACT/36-015-0407_Chlorine_IEDs.pdf
Chlorine Gas Attacks in Iraq Injure 350
http://www.voanews.com/english/2007-03-17-voa5.cfm
CDC Chemical Emergencies: Chlorine
http://www.bt.cdc.gov/agent/chlorine/
NIH Medline Plus: Chlorine poisoning
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/002772.htm
eMedicine's patient education article: Toxicity, Chlorine Gas
http://www.emedicine.com/emerg/topic851.htm
DOT 2004 Emergency Response Guidebook (ERG2004)
http://hazmat.dot.gov/pubs/erg/erg2004.pdf
Textbook of Military Medicine: Medical Aspects of Chemical and Biological Warfare (1997)
https://ccc.apgea.army.mil/sarea/products/textbook/Web_Version/index_2.htm
Field Management of Chemical Casualties
https://ccc.apgea.army.mil/SArea/products/handbooks/FMCC/08_FieldManagement.htm