A Model for Prediction of Probability of Developing an Adverse Physiological Symptom in Individuals Percutaneously Exposed to VX Nerve Agent

Abstract

A model is developed for the probability of toxic effects resulting from either vapour or liquid acute exposure of the skin to the organophosphonate nerve agent VX (O-ethyl S-2-diisopropylaminoethylmethyl phosphonothiolate), for which considerable relevant human toxicity information is available. This model focuses solely on percutaneous toxicity and incorporates population variability of response and variable permeability of the different regions of the body to the agent. An ECt50 value for nausea and vomiting due to whole body vapour VX exposure (neglecting respiratory contribution) is derived and compared with other estimated values. In addition, the model predicts the ED50 for liquid VX applied to various body regions, with a variation of about a factor of 300 predicted between the least and most sensitive body regions for which data are available. The predictions of the model appear consistent with available human effects data, and thus the effective dose predictions of the model are to be preferred over the somewhat less conservative estimates in the literature.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Jan 01, 2005
Accession Number
ADA440960

Entities

People

  • Doug Nelson
  • E. J. Duncan
  • Eva F. Dickson
  • Paul D. Fedele

Organizations

  • Royal Military College of Canada

Tags

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Body Regions
  • Chemical Synthesis
  • Chemical Warfare
  • Chemical Warfare Agents
  • Chemical Weapons
  • Chemistry
  • Clothing
  • Epidermis
  • First Responders
  • Medical Personnel
  • Military Personnel
  • Nerve Agents
  • Probability
  • Protective Clothing
  • Protective Equipment
  • Risk
  • Toxicity

Readers

  • Computational Modeling and Simulation
  • Neurotoxicology
  • Trauma Surgery or Emergency Medicine.