Chemical agents are poisonous vapors, aerosols, liquids, and solids
that have toxic effects on people, animals, or plants. They can be released
by bombs or sprayed from aircraft, boats, and vehicles. They can be
used as a liquid to create a hazard to people and the environment. Some
chemical agents may be odorless and tasteless. They can have an immediate
effect (a few seconds to a few minutes) or a delayed effect (2 to 48
hours). While potentially lethal, chemical agents are difficult to deliver
in lethal concentrations. Outdoors, the agents often dissipate rapidly.
Chemical agents also are difficult to produce.
A chemical attack could come without warning. Signs of a chemical release include people having difficulty breathing; experiencing eye irritation; losing coordination; becoming nauseated; or having a burning sensation in the nose, throat, and lungs. Also, the presence of many dead insects or birds may indicate a chemical agent release.
Before
a Chemical Attack
Check your disaster supplies kit to make sure it
includes:
A roll of duct tape and scissors.
Plastic for doors, windows, and vents for the room in which you will shelter in place. To save critical time during an emergency, pre-measure and cut the plastic sheeting for each opening
Choose an internal room to shelter, preferably one without windows and on the highest level.
During a Chemical Attack
you are instructed to remain in your home or office building, you should:
Close doors and windows and turn off all ventilation, including furnaces, air conditioners, vents, and fans.
Seek shelter in an internal room and take your
disaster supplies kit.
Seal the room with duct tape and plastic sheeting.
Listen to your radio for instructions from authorities.
If you are caught in or near a contaminated area, you should:
Move away immediately in a direction upwind of the source.
Find shelter as quickly as possible.
After a Chemical Attack
IDecontamination is needed within minutes of exposure to minimize health
consequences. Do not leave the safety of a shelter to go outdoors to
help others until authorities announce it is safe to do so.
A person affected by a chemical agent requires immediate medical attention
from a professional. If medical help is not immediately available, decontaminate
yourself and assist in decontaminating others.
Decontamination guidelines are as follows:
Use extreme caution when helping others who have been exposed to chemical agents.
Remove all clothing and other items in contact with the body. Contaminated
clothing normally removed over the head should be cut off to avoid contact
with the eyes, nose, and mouth. Put contaminated clothing and items
into a plastic bag and seal it. Decontaminate hands using soap and water.
Remove eyeglasses or contact lenses. Put glasses in a pan of household
bleach to decontaminate them, and then rinse and dry.
Flush eyes with water.
Gently wash face and hair with soap and water before thoroughly rinsing
with water.
Decontaminate other body areas likely to have been contaminated. Blot
(do not swab or scrape) with a cloth soaked in soapy water and rinse
with clear water.
Change into uncontaminated clothes. Clothing stored in drawers or closets
is likely to be uncontaminated.
Proceed to a medical facility for screening and professional treatment.
FEMA 500 C Street SW, Washington, D.C. 20472
Disaster Assistance: (800) 621-FEMA, TTY (800) 462-7585