injuries and poisoning
Systemic Asphyxiant Chemical Warfare Agents
Introduction
There are many types of Overview of Chemical-Warfare Agents that affect different parts of the body. Systemic asphyxiants poison cells throughout the body and include Cyanide compounds Hydrogen sulfide Systemic asphyxiants have also been called blood agents because they are distributed through the blood. However, they damage cells throughout the body, not just blood cells. Cyanide compoundsinclude hydrogen cyanide and cyanogen chloride, which are liquids that evaporate easily or gases at room temperature. The combustion of many household and industrial chemicals can produce cyanides, and people suffering from smoke inhalation from any kind of industrial or household fire may also have cyanide poisoning. Although cyanide has a characteristic odor of bitter almonds, about half of people lack the ability to detect it. The combustion of many household and industrial chemicals can produce cyanide. Hydrogen sulfideis always a gas at room temperature, so exposure to it is usually by inhalation. Hydrogen sulfide can be produced by mixing sulfur-containing household chemicals with acids. Residual gas can affect rescuers, causing many additional casualties. Hydrogen sulfide is also produced when manure decomposes. Large farm manure pits often contain lethal quantities of the gas. Hydrogen sulfide has a characteristic rotten egg odor, but high concentrations damage a person's ability to detect the odor. 