Chapter 28 – Chemical Threats

 

Chemical threats are very similar to biological threats, but instead of releasing bacteria, poison is used instead. These chemicals can harm people, plants, and animals and cause serious injury and death. Many have an immediate effect, but some have a delayed effect that won’t begin for hours later.

 

You can tell that a chemical threat occurred by noticing your body’s reactions and looking at the environment around you. If your nose, eyes, and throat are suddenly irritated, you’re having a difficult time breathing, or there are small animals or insects dead in your area, then chances are you’re in a contaminated zone.

 

If you find yourself in an area that is contaminated you should try to determine what the source of the contamination is and move to a safe area. You’ll need to get into a location with fresh air, and the best way to do that is to move upwind of the contamination zone.

 

If you have been contaminated, you need to decontaminate within minutes. This involves removing your clothing and storing it in a plastic bag, rinsing your eyes out with water, washing your hair and face with soap, and rinsing your body off with water. Change into clean clothing and then get help from a medical professional.