UNITED STATES
DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

• Emergency Preparedness and Response /
• Emergency Preparedness and Response - Chemical Terrorism

Emergency Preparedness and Response - Chemical Terrorism

The intentional use of chemicals as a weapon by terrorists is a growing concern for public health officials. The terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001 led to an increased awareness of workplaces as possible terrorist targets. A variety of chemicals can be used, including Sulfur Mustard.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

The following references link to general safety and health information relevant to a possible terrorist threat using chemicals.

• The Emergency Response Safety and Health Database - Abrin. (2008, August). Information for first responders includes agent-specific identification, medical symptoms, prevention, personal protective equipment, fire fighting, sampling and analytical methods, decontamination, spillage disposal, and packaging and labeling information.
• The Emergency Response Safety and Health Database - Cyanogen Chloride (CK). (2008, August). Information for first responders includes agent-specific identification, medical symptoms, prevention, personal protective equipment, fire fighting, sampling and analytical methods, decontamination, spillage disposal, and packaging and labeling information.
• The Emergency Response Safety and Health Database - Hydrogen Cyanide (AC). (2008, August). Information for first responders includes agent-specific identification, medical symptoms, prevention, personal protective equipment, fire fighting, sampling and analytical methods, decontamination, spillage disposal, and packaging and labeling information.
• The Emergency Response Safety and Health Database - Potassium Cyanide. (2008, August). Information for first responders includes agent-specific identification, medical symptoms, prevention, personal protective equipment, fire fighting, sampling and analytical methods, decontamination, spillage disposal, and packaging and labeling information.
• The Emergency Response Safety and Health Database - Sodium Cyanide. (2008, August). Information for first responders includes agent-specific identification, medical symptoms, prevention, personal protective equipment, fire fighting, sampling and analytical methods, decontamination, spillage disposal, and packaging and labeling information.
• Emergency Preparedness and Response - Cyanide. Includes links to Fact Sheets, Emergency Response Cards, Toxicological Profiles, and FAQs about cyanide.
• The Emergency Response Safety and Health Database - Sulfur Mustard. (2008, August). Information for first responders includes agent-specific identification, medical symptoms, prevention, personal protective equipment, fire fighting, sampling and analytical methods, decontamination, spillage disposal, and packaging and labeling information.
• Emergency Preparedness and Response - Sulfur Mustard (Mustard Gas). Includes links to Fact Sheets, Emergency Response Card, Toxicological Profiles, Medical Management Guidelines, and FAQs about sulfur mustard.
• The Emergency Response Safety and Health Database - Nitrogen Mustard HN-1. (2008, August). Information for first responders includes agent-specific identification, medical symptoms, prevention, personal protective equipment, fire fighting, sampling and analytical methods, decontamination, spillage disposal, and packaging and labeling information.
• The Emergency Response Safety and Health Database - Nitrogen Mustard HN-2. (2008, August). Information for first responders includes agent-specific identification, medical symptoms, prevention, personal protective equipment, fire fighting, sampling and analytical methods, decontamination, spillage disposal, and packaging and labeling information.
• The Emergency Response Safety and Health Database - HN-3 Nitrogen Mustard. (2008, August). Information for first responders includes agent-specific identification, medical symptoms, prevention, personal protective equipment, fire fighting, sampling and analytical methods, decontamination, spillage disposal, and packaging and labeling information.
• Emergency Preparedness and Response - Nitrogen Mustard. Includes links to Fact Sheets, Emergency Response Cards, Toxicological Profiles, and FAQs about cyanide.
• The Emergency Response Safety and Health Database - Ricin. (2008, August). Information for first responders includes agent-specific identification, medical symptoms, prevention, personal protective equipment, fire fighting, sampling and analytical methods, decontamination, spillage disposal, and packaging and labeling information.
• Emergency Preparedness and Response - Ricin. Includes links to FAQs and Emergency Response Card about Ricin.
• The Emergency Response Safety and Health Database - Sarin (GB). (2008, August). Information for first responders includes agent-specific identification, medical symptoms, prevention, personal protective equipment, fire fighting, sampling and analytical methods, decontamination, spillage disposal, and packaging and labeling information.
• Emergency Preparedness and Response - Sarin (GB). Includes Fact Sheets, Emergency Response Card, Medical Management Guidelines, and FAQs about sarin.
• The Emergency Response Safety and Health Database - VX. (2008, August). Information for first responders includes agent-specific identification, medical symptoms, prevention, personal protective equipment, fire fighting, sampling and analytical methods, decontamination, spillage disposal, and packaging and labeling information.
• Emergency Preparedness and Response - VX. Includes links to Fact Sheets, Emergency Response Card, Medical Management Guidelines, and FAQs about VX.
• Emergency Preparedness and Response - Chemical Agents A-Z
• Guidance for Protecting Building Environments from Airborne Chemical, Biological, or Radiological Attacks. (2002, May). US Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) Publication No. 2002-139.

Standards/Exposure Guidelines

• OSHA
  • Chemical Sampling Information
  • OSHA/NIOSH Interim Guidance - (February 2006): Chemical - Biological - Radiological - Nuclear (CBRN) Personal Protective Equipment Selection Matrix for Emergency Responders - Nerve Agents. (2006, February).
• Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR)
  • ToxFAQs™ for Nerve Agents (GA, GB, GD, VX). (2002, April).
  • ToxFAQs™ for Sulfur Mustard. (2003, September). Formerly called Mustard Gas, CAS# 505-60-2.
  • ToxFAQs™ for Blister Agents: Lewisite (L), Mustard-Lewisite Mixture (HL). (2002, April).
  • ToxFAQs™ for Blister Agents: HN-1, HN-2, HN-3 (Nitrogen Mustards). (2002, April).
  • ToxFAQs™ for Blister Agents: Sulfur Mustard Agent H/HD Sulfur Mustard Agent HT. (2002, April).
  • Toxicological Profile for Sulfur Mustard. (2003, September). Formerly called Mustard Gas, CAS# 505-60-2.
• Review of Acute Human-Toxicity Estimates for Selected Chemical-Warfare Agents. National Academies Press, (1997).
• Recommendations for Protecting Human Health Against Potential Adverse Effects of Long-Term Exposure to Low Doses of Chemical Warfare Agents. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR) 37(5);72-4,79, (1988, February 12).
• Toxic Chemical Agent Safety Standards. Department of the Army Pamphlet 385-61, (2012, November 13).
• Potential Military Chemical/Biological Agents and Compounds. Army Field Manual No 3-9, Navy Publication No P-467, Air Force Manual No 355-7, (1990, December 12).
• Compilation of Existing Chemical Agent Guidelines Table as of September 1997. US Department of Engery (DOE), Office of Science & Technical Information (OSTI), (1998, August).
• Emergency Response to Incidents Involving Chemical and Biological Warfare Agents. National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), (1997).