Risk Management Series
Primer to Design Safe School Projects in Case of Terrorist Attacks
December 2003


FEMA


FEMA 428 / December 2003




APPENDIX D - CHEMICAL WARFARE AGENT CHARACTERISICS

SELECTED BIOLOGICAL AGENT CHARACTERISICS

This appendix contains some CBR terms that do not actually appear in this 
manual. 

They have been included to present a comprehensive list that pertains to this 
series of publications. 

CHEMICAL TERMS 

A 

Acetylcholinesterase. An enzyme that hydrolyzes the neurotransmitter 
acetylcholine. The action of this enzyme is inhibited by nerve agents. 

Aerosol. Fine liquid or solid particles suspended in a gas (e.g., fog or smoke). 

Atropine. A compound used as an antidote for nerve agents. 

swell and

C 

Casualty (toxic) agents. Produce incapacitation, serious injury, or death, and 
can be used to incapacitate or kill victims. They are the blister, blood, 
choking, and nerve agents. 

- Blister agents. Substances that cause blistering of the skin. Exposure is 
through liquid or vapor contact with any exposed tissue (eyes, skin, lungs). 
Examples are distilled mustard (HD), nitrogen mustard (HN), lewisite (L), 
mustard/lewisite (HL), and phenodichloroarsine (PD). 

- Blood agents. Substances that injure a person by interfering with cell 
respiration (the exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide between blood and 
tissues). Examples are arsine (SA), cyanogens chloride (CK), hydrogen chloride 
(HCl), and hydrogen cyanide (AC). 

- Choking/lung/pulmonary agents. Substances that cause physical injury to the 
lungs. Exposure is through inhalation. In extreme cases, membranes