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Information Products
Biological and Chemical Agent Quick Reference Tables
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| Biological Agents |
| AGENT |
INCUBATION |
LETHALITY |
PERSISTENCE |
DISSEMINATION |
| Bacteria |
| Anthrax |
1-5 Days |
3-5 days fatal |
Very stable |
Aerosol |
| Cholera |
12 hours-6 days |
Low with treatment
High without treatment |
Unstable
Stable in saltwater |
Aerosol
Sabotage of water |
| Plague |
1-3 days |
1-6 days fatal |
Extremely stable |
Aerosol |
| Tularemia |
1-10 days |
2 weeks moderate |
Very stable |
Aerosol |
| Q fever |
14-26 days |
Weeks? |
Stable |
Aerosol
Sabotage |
| Viruses |
| Smallpox |
10-12 days |
High |
Very stable |
Aerosol |
| Venezuelan Equine Encephalitis |
1-6 days |
Low |
Unstable |
Aerosol
Vectors |
| Ebola |
4-6 days |
7-16 days fatal |
Unstable |
Aerosol
Direct contact |
| Biological Toxins |
| Botulinum toxins |
Hours to days |
High without treatment |
Stable |
Aerosol
Sabotage |
| Staphylococcal enterotoxin B |
1-6 days |
Low |
Stable |
Aerosol
Sabotage |
| Ricin |
Hours to days |
10-12 days fatal |
Stable |
Aerosol
Sabotage |
| Tricothecene mycotoxins (T2) |
2-4 hours |
Moderate |
Extremely stable |
Aerosol
Sabotage |
For more detailed information on Biological Agents, see http://www.usamriid.army.mil/education/bluebook.htm.
| Chemical Agents |
| AGENT |
SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS |
DECONTAMINATION |
PERSISTENCE |
| Nerve Agents |
| Tabun (GA) |
Salivation
Lacrimation
Urination
Defecation
Gastric disturbances
Emesis |
Remove contaminated clothing
Flush with a soap and water solution for patients
Flush with large amounts of a 5% bleach and water solution for objects |
1-2 days if heavy concentration |
| Sarin (GB) |
1-2 days will evaporate with water |
| Soman (GD) |
Moderate, 1-2 days |
| V Agents (VX) |
High, 1 week if heavy concentration
As volatile as motor oil |
| Vesicants (Blister Agents) |
| Sulfur Mustard (H) |
Acts first as a cell irritant, then as a cell poison. Conjunctivitis, reddened skin, blisters, nasal irritation, inflammation of throat and lungs. |
Remove contaiminated clothing
Flush with soap and water solution for patients.
Flush with large amounts of a 5% bleach and water solution for objects |
Very high, days to weeks |
| Distilled Mustard (HD) |
| Nitrogen Mustard (HN 1,3) |
| Mustargen (HN2) |
Moderate |
| Lewisite (L) |
Immediate pain with blisters later. |
Days, rapid hydrolysis with humidity |
| Phosgene Oxime (CX) |
Immediate pain with blisters later-necrosis equivalent to second and third degree burns |
Low, 2 hours in soil |
| Chemical Asphyxiants (Blood agents) |
| Hydrogen Cyanide (AC) |
Cherry red skin or ~ 30% cyanosis. Patients may appear to be gasping for air. Seizures prior to death. Effect is similar to asphyxiation, but is more sudden. |
Remove contaminated clothing.
Flush with a soap and water solution for patients.
Flush with large amounts of 5% bleach and water solution for objects. |
Extremely volatile, 1-2 days |
| Cyanogen Chloride (CK) |
Rapidly evaporates and disperses |
| Arsine (SA) |
Low |
Personal Protective Equipment Levels:
- Level A: Fully encapsulated suit with SCBA
- Level B: Non-encapsulated suit with SCBA
- Level C: Splash Suit (tyvex coveralls) with an air purfying respirator (APR)
Contact Phone Numbers:
- CHEMTREC: 800-424-9300
- National Response Center: 800-424-8802
- Center for Disease Control: 888-232-3228
- U.S. Public Health Service: 800-USA-NDMS
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