Document Page: First | Prev | Next | All | Image | This Release | Search
File: 123096_sep96_decls7_0001.txt
Subject: PREVENTION AND TREATMENT OF NERVE AGENT POISONING
Unit: VAR. BUMED
Parent Organization: BUMED
Box ID: BX303902
Folder Title: PREVENTION AND TREATMENT OF NERVE AGENT POISONING
Document Number: 1
Folder Seq #: 14
UNCLASSIFIED
FM 8-285/NAVMED P-5041/AFM 160-11
enzymes of the nervous system. muscle, and secre- low level of activity for weeks after symptoms
tory glands, and not to the coincident inhibition of disappear.
the cholinesterase enzymes of the plasma and red (2) No correlation exists between the plasma or
blood cells@ Determination of the latter, howe'ver, red blood cell cholinesterase activity and the occur-
may be a guide of some value in detecting systemic rence of local ocular or local respiratory effects.
absorption of a nerve agent and persistence of its These may occur after iocal exposure without any
effects. Following repeated exposure, there is no depression of blood cholinesterase. In trying to
predictable correlation between the onset of symp- evaluate the significance of determinations of
wmsand:t@,pmcisOt-vel-of -' es@-activity blood @i %+oiinesterase 2iftivity,
of the plasma or red cells. except that the level is keep in mind that the range of normal acti@ty is
depressed-below normal. Cholinesterase activity of fairly wide. In addition, plasma cholinesterase ac-
the red blood cells may be gradually depressed by tivity may be reduced-moderately by rrianyacuteor
repeated exposure over several days without sys- chronic illnesses. particularly those affecting liver
temic symptoms necessarily ensuing, or without function. Red blood ce)l-cholinesterase may be
any relation to the severity of the.symptoms that reduced alsoby relativelyuncommondiseasesof the
occur.Thered bloodcelicholinesterase remainsati blood such as pernicious anemia and leukemia.
Section li..PREVENTION AND TREATMENT OF NERVE AGENT POISONING
2-6. Essential Elements of Prevention and 2-7. Prevention of Poisoning.
- Treatment a. Since the respiratory tractabsorbs nerve agent
The essential elem6rLtsQf prevention and treatment, vapor-very rapidly. the Protective mask must be put
of nerve agent poisoning are: _ on IMMEDIATELY when its presence in Ihe air
a. ImmediatErdonning @the protective mask and is suspected. Stop breathing until the mask is on
hood at the first indication oi a nerve agent attack. and the. facepiece is cleared and checked. If the
b. AdminTstration of t?ie nerve agent a@tidote(s) concentration of the nerve agent in the air is high.
(para 2- 1 1), as soon as.any signs 6r symptoms are the inhalation of a few breaths m@y @eslult in the
noted. Absorption of enough nerve agent to be incapacitat-
ing or even lethal. If the concentration in the air is
NOTE lo@. a longer exposure may precede the onset of
'Xreatment outlined in paragraphs 2-13 symptoms and the detection of nerve agent poison-
nt are progres-
trine on the use of the Nerve Agent Anti- sive and cumulative, the prevention of further
dote Kit, Mark 1. These procedures do not absorption is particularly urgent once symptoms
address the uniqueness of other environ- have begun. Protective masks should be worn as
ments (such as the Threat in naval opera- long as tests indicate the presence of a nerve agent
tions) where alternatives may be more in the air and until the "all clear" signal is given.
constrained, thereby requiring modifica- b. Nerve agent antidotes SHOULD NOT be given
t-ion in the procedures. Procedures to ad- for preventive purposes BEFORE contemplated
dress these variations should be issued by exposure to a nerve agent. since this may enhance
the services concerned. in accordance with respiratory absorption by inhibiting bronchocon-
their individual needs. striction and bronchial secretion. Atropine may
degrade field performance when taken in doses of
c. Immediate removal or neutralization of any more than 2 mg without nerve agent exposure.
liquid contamination. especially when maximal visual acuity is required.
d. Administration of anticonvulsant medication Also, atropine in a heat-stressed individual may
parentefOy(diai6pam), if available. to anysevere- degradihis or h@r ability to perform duties. when
used in the treatment of nerve agent poisoning.
e. Removal of airway secretions if they are ob- atropine is rapidly utilized. a person incapacitated
structing the airway. Airway suction may be by nerve agent poisoning will likely remain inca-
needed. pacitated since atropine will not reverse all the
f Establishmentofapatentairway(forexample. signs and symptoms of poisoning. even in large
with a cricothyrotomy) and administration of as- doses.
sisted ventilation. if required. Oxygen. if available. c. Nerve agents (liquid or vapor) can poison food
is desired. and water and will make other supplies and equip-
UNCLASSIFIED
Document Page: First | Prev | Next | All | Image | This Release | Search
Document 11 f:/Week-44/BX303902/PREVENTION AND TREATMENT OF NERVE AGENT POISONING/prevention and treatment of nerve agent poisonin:1217960956196
Control Fields 17
File Room = sep96_declassified
File Cabinet = Week-44
Box ID = BX303902
Unit = VAR. BUMED
Parent Organization = BUMED
Folder Title = PREVENTION AND TREATMENT OF NERVE AGENT POISONING
Folder Seq # = 14
Subject = PREVENTION AND TREATMENT OF NERVE AGENT POISONIN
Document Seq # = 1
Document Date =
Scan Date =
Queued for Declassification = 01-JAN-1980
Short Term Referral = 01-JAN-1980
Long Term Referral = 01-JAN-1980
Permanent Referral = 01-JAN-1980
Non-Health Related Document = 01-JAN-1980
Declassified = 17-DEC-1996