Download PDF version formatted for print
(16
KB/4 pages)
What sarin
is
- Sarin is a man-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 insecticides called organophosphate
insecticides in terms of how they work and what kind of harmful effects
they cause; however, nerve agents are much more potent than insecticides. - Sarin originally
was developed in 1938 in Germany as an insecticide. - 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 is not found
naturally in the environment. - 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.
How people can be exposed to sarin
- If sarin is released
into the air, people may be exposed through skin contact or eye contact.
They may also be exposed by breathing air that contains sarin. - If sarin is released
into water, people may be exposed by touching or drinking water that
contains sarin. - If sarin comes
in contact with food, people may 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. Other people can be exposed to sarin if they breathe
this sarin gas. - Because sarin breaks
down slowly in the body, people who are repeatedly exposed to sarin
may suffer more harmful health effects.
How sarin works
- The extent of poisoning
that sarin causes depends on three factors: (1) the amount of sarin
to which they were exposed, (2) how they were exposed, and (3) the how
long the exposure lasted. - 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 vapor is
heavier than air, so it would be more likely to settle in low-lying
areas. - Because sarin mixes
easily with water, water can easily be contaminated. - 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
What the long-term
health effects are
Mild or moderately
exposed people usually recover completely. Some studies in animals and
people suggest that severe nerve agent poisoning can cause long-term central
nervous system effects, such as changes in brain activity. However, it
is unclear what such changes may mean, if anything, regarding the function
and long-term health status of a person who has been mildly or moderately
exposed to sarin.
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. If exposure cannot be avoided, rapidly decontaminate
and get medical care as quickly as possible. - 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 vapors.- 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 the sarin
- Remove any clothing
that has liquid sarin on it, and 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 protect you and others
from any chemicals that might be on your clothes. - If helping other
people remove their clothing, try to avoid touching any contaminated
areas, and remove the clothing as quickly as possible. - Rinse the eyes
with plain water for 10 to 15 minutes if they are burning or if vision
is blurry. - As quickly as possible,
wash any liquid sarin from the skin with large amounts of soap and water.
Washing with soap and water will protect people from any chemicals on
their bodies. - If sarin has been
swallowed, do not induce vomiting or give fluids to drink. Seek medical
attention immediately. - Stay calm. Dial
911 and explain what has happened. - Wait for emergency
personnel to arrive.
How sarin poisoning is treated
Sarin poisoning is
treated with antidotes, if necessary, and with supportive medical care.
The most important thing is for victims to be rapidly decontaminated and
to be given medical treatment as soon as possible.
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 Public Response Hotline (CDC)- English (888)
246-2675 - Español (888)
246-2857 - TTY (866) 874-2646
- English (888)
- Agency for Toxic
Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) (1-888-422-8737)