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What
sarin is
- Sarin
is a human-made chemical warfare agent classified as a nerve agent.
Nerve agents are the most toxic and rapidly acting of the known chemical
warfare agents. They are similar to certain kinds of pesticides (insect
killers) called organophosphates in terms of how they work and what
kind of harmful effects they cause. However, nerve agents are much more
potent than organophosphate pesticides.
- Sarin
originally was developed in 1938 in Germany as a pesticide.
- Sarin
is a clear, colorless, and tasteless liquid that has no odor in its
pure form. However, sarin can evaporate into a vapor (gas) and spread
into the environment.
- Sarin
is also known as GB.
Where
sarin is found and how it is used
- Sarin
and other nerve agents may have been used in chemical warfare during
the Iran-Iraq War in the 1980s.
- Sarin
was used in two terrorist attacks in Japan in 1994 and 1995.
- Sarin
is not found naturally in the environment.
How
people can be exposed to sarin
- Following
release of sarin into the air, people can be exposed through skin contact
or eye contact. They can also be exposed by breathing air that contains
sarin.
- Sarin
mixes easily with water, so it could be used to poison water. Following
release of sarin into water, people can be exposed by touching or drinking
water that contains sarin.
- Following
contamination of food with sarin, people can be exposed by eating the
contaminated food.
- A person’s
clothing can release sarin for about 30 minutes after it has come in
contact with sarin vapor, which can lead to exposure of other people.
- Because
sarin breaks down slowly in the body, people who are repeatedly exposed
to sarin may suffer more harmful health effects.
- Because
sarin vapor is heavier than air, it will sink to low-lying areas and
create a greater exposure hazard there.
How sarin works
- The extent
of poisoning caused by sarin depends on the amount of sarin to which
a person was exposed, how the person was exposed, and the length of
time of the exposure.
- Symptoms
will appear within a few seconds after exposure to the vapor form of
sarin and within a few minutes up to 18 hours after exposure to the
liquid form.
- All
the nerve agents cause their toxic effects by preventing the proper
operation of the chemical that acts as the body’s “off switch”
for glands and muscles. Without an “off switch,” the glands
and muscles are constantly being stimulated. They may tire and no longer
be able to sustain breathing function.
- Sarin
is the most volatile of the nerve agents, which means that it can easily
and quickly evaporate from a liquid into a vapor and spread into the
environment. People can be exposed to the vapor even if they do not
come in contact with the liquid form of sarin.
- Because
it evaporates so quickly, sarin presents an immediate but short-lived
threat.
Immediate
signs and symptoms of sarin exposure
- People
may not know that they were exposed because sarin has no odor.
- People
exposed to a low or moderate dose of sarin by breathing contaminated
air, eating contaminated food, drinking contaminated water, or touching
contaminated surfaces may experience some or all of the following symptoms
within seconds to hours of exposure:
-
Runny nose
-
Watery eyes
-
Small, pinpoint pupils
-
Eye pain
-
Blurred vision
-
Drooling and excessive sweating
-
Cough
-
Chest tightness
-
Rapid breathing
-
Diarrhea
-
Increased urination
-
Confusion
-
Drowsiness
-
Weakness
-
Headache
-
Nausea, vomiting, and/or abdominal pain
-
Slow or fast heart rate
-
Low or high blood pressure
- Even
a small drop of sarin on the skin can cause sweating and muscle twitching
where sarin touched the skin.
- Exposure
to large doses of sarin by any route may result in the following harmful
health effects:
-
Loss of consciousness
-
Convulsions
-
Paralysis
-
Respiratory failure possibly leading to death
- Showing
these signs and symptoms does not necessarily mean that a person has
been exposed to sarin.
What
the long-term health effects are
Mild or
moderately exposed people usually recover completely. Severely exposed
people are not likely to survive. Unlike some organophosphate pesticides,
nerve agents have not been associated with neurological problems lasting
more than 1 to 2 weeks after the exposure.
How
people can protect themselves, and what they should do if they are exposed
to sarin
- Recovery
from sarin exposure is possible with treatment, but the antidotes available
must be used quickly to be effective. Therefore, the best thing to do
is avoid exposure:
-
Leave the area where the sarin was released and get to fresh air.
Quickly moving to an area where fresh air is available is highly
effective in reducing the possibility of death from exposure to
sarin vapor.
-
If the sarin release was outdoors, move away from the area where
the sarin was released. Go to the highest ground possible, because
sarin is heavier than air and will sink to low-lying areas.
-
If the sarin release was indoors, get out of the building.
- If people
think they may have been exposed, they should remove their clothing,
rapidly wash their entire body with soap and water, and get medical
care as quickly as possible.
- Removing
and disposing of clothing:
-
Quickly take off clothing that has liquid sarin on it. Any clothing
that has to be pulled over the head should be cut off the body instead
of pulled over the head. If possible, seal the clothing in a plastic
bag. Then seal the first plastic bag in a second plastic bag. Removing
and sealing the clothing in this way will help protect people from
any chemicals that might be on their clothes.
-
If clothes were placed in plastic bags, inform either the local
or state health department or emergency personnel upon their arrival.
Do not handle the plastic bags.
-
If helping other people remove their clothing, try to avoid touching
any contaminated areas, and remove the clothing as quickly as possible.
-
Washing the body:
-
As quickly as possible, wash any liquid sarin from the skin with
large amounts of soap and water. Washing with soap and water will
help protect people from any chemicals on their bodies.
-
Rinse the eyes with plain water for 10 to 15 minutes if they are
burning or if vision is blurred.
- If sarin
has been swallowed, do not induce vomiting or give fluids to drink.
- Seek
medical attention immediately. Dial 911 and explain what has happened.
How
sarin exposure is treated
Treatment
consists of removing sarin from the body as soon as possible and providing
supportive medical care in a hospital setting. Antidotes are available
for sarin. They are most useful if given as soon as possible after exposure.
How
people can get more information about sarin
People can
contact one of the following:
- Regional
poison control center (1-800-222-1222)
- Centers
for Disease Control and Prevention
- Agency
for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) (1-888-422-8737)
-
E-mail inquiries: atsdric@cdc.gov
-
Mail inquiries:
Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry
Division of Toxicology
1600 Clifton Road NE, Mailstop E-29
Atlanta, GA 30333
This
fact sheet is based on CDC's best current information. It may be updated
as new information becomes available.
Last
reviewed on 03/07/03.
The
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) protects people’s
health and safety by preventing and controlling diseases and injuries;
enhances health decisions by providing credible information on critical
health issues; and promotes healthy living through strong partnerships
with local, national, and international organizations.
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