Toxins

Toxins are alleged to have been used in recent conflicts. Witnesses and victims have described the agent as toxic rain (or yellow rain) because it was reported to have been released from aircraft as a yellow powder or liquid that covered the ground, structures, vegetation, and people.

a. Protective Measures. Individual protective measures normally associated with persistent chemical agents will provide protection against toxins. Measures include the use of the protective mask with hood, and the overgarment ensemble with gloves and overboots (mission-oriented protective posture level-4 [MOPP 4]).

b. Signs/Symptoms. The occurrence of the symptoms from toxins may appear in a period of a few minutes to several hours depending on the particular toxin, the individual susceptibility, and the amount of toxin inhaled, ingested, or deposited on the skin. Symptoms from toxins usually involve the nervous system but are often preceded by less prominent symptoms, such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, cramps, or burning distress of the stomach region. Typical neurological symptoms often develop rapidly in severe cases, for example, visual disturbances, inability to swallow, speech difficulty, muscle coordination. and sensory abnormalities (numbness of mouth, throat, or extremities). Yellow rain (mycotoxins) also may have hemorrhagic symptoms which could include any/all of the following:

• Dizziness.

• Severe itching or tingling of the skin.

• Formation of multiple, small, hard blisters.

• Coughing up blood.

• Shock (which could result in death).

c. First Aid Measures. Upon recognition of an attack employing toxins or the onset (start) of symptoms listed above, you must immediately take the following actions:

(1) Step ONE. STOP BREATHING, put on your protective mask with hood, then resume breathing. Next, put on your protective clothing.

(2) Step TWO. Should severe itching of the face become unbearable, quickly--

• Loosen the cap on your canteen.

• Remove your helmet. Take and hold a deep breath and remove your mask.

• While holding your breath, close your eyes and flush your face with generous amounts of water.

DO NOT rub or scratch your eyes. Try not to let the water run onto your clothing or protective overgarments.

• Put your protective mask back on, seat it properly clear it, and check it for seal; then resume breathing.

• Put your helmet back on.

The effectiveness of the M258A1 Skin Decon Kit for biological agent decon is
unknown at this time; however, flushing the skin with large amounts of water will reduce
the effectiveness of the toxins.

(3) Step THREE. If vomiting occurs, the mask should be lifted momentarily and drained--while the eyes are closed and the breath is held--and replaced, cleared, and sealed.