| 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 | ||