Regular review: Chemical weapons

摘要

Chemical agents should be considered in major incident planning. Consider exposure to chemical agents in any casualty with unexplained and unusual symptoms. Poisoning with many chemical agents, especially nerve agents, can be treated when diagnosed early. Protective equipment must be worn if there is suspicion that chemical agent remains in the local environment. Move casualties from contaminated environment to well ventilated area to give first aid. Decontamination of the casualty involves removal of clothing, shaving contaminated hair, and irrigation with water or dilute sodium hypochlorite to remove residual agent from skin.