Medical Management of Chemical Toxicity in Pediatrics
Abstract
There are essentially millions of chemical compounds known to humanity, but only a limited number are weaponized by conventional militaries. The Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW), the 184- member watchdog agency enforcing the guidelines of the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC) , has identified 55 chemical agents and their precursors that can be used as weapons (OPCW, 2005). Although some of the chemicals are well known (e.g. sarin, soman, VX, mustard), other less obvious choices for chemical terrorism include industrial chemicals such as chlorine and toxic precursors, which are considered "weapons of opportunity" . In the hands of terrorists, chemical warfare agents (CWAs) and toxic industrial chemicals (TICs) pose significant threats to civilian populations. A 2002 report to Congress by the Central Intelligence Agency reported that terrorist groups "have expressed interest in many toxic industrial chemicals - most of which are relatively easy to acquire and handle - and traditional chemical agents, including chlorine and phosgene" (DCI, 2002). While traditional CW As like nerve agents are attractive to terrorist groups, these agents require a significant degree of financial resources and capital knowledge to manufacture. Furthermore, the USA and remaining signatory members of the CWC have pledged nonproliferation of CWAs (OPCW, 2005). Unfortunately, millions of tons of TICs continue to be manufactured annually in the USA alone. While they support the wide variety of products generated on a daily basis, including dyes, textiles, medicines, solvents, plastics, paints, and insecticides, they are lethal compounds in the hands of terrorists.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jan 01, 2009
- Accession Number
- ADA539576
Entities
People
- Corey J. Hilmas
- Elora Hilmas
Organizations
- United States Army Medical Research Institute of Chemical Defense