Created/edited:	4/27/2007
Reviewed/approved:	5/8/2007

Chemical threat:

Chemicals can become a threat to us either through lack of knowledge as to which chemical substances can harm us, and when used as weapon against us.

Protection against Chemical Weapons

There are four main cornerstones in the protection against chemical weapons: physical protection including body protection, respiratory protection, collective protection; medical protection, including pretreatment and therapy; detection including alarm, monitoring, verification, identification, all-clear; and decontamination including individual decontamination and equipment decontamination.

The armed forces and emergency response personnel may have chemical warfare equipment and protective clothing, but for most non-military or government types there are still a number of actions that can be taken to safeguard against a chemical attack.

When operating in a chemically active environment, remember that friendly forces wearing protective equipment are likely to appear clumsy, and their physical endurance decreases and when a protective mask is worn. It also becomes difficult to communicate with others.

Protective actions you can take:

The immediate protective measure is to seek shelter. This can be a physical structure or even a cardboard box over one’s head and body. A rain jacket will often work and even an umbrella will afford some protection depending on the type of chemical used in the attack. A protective mask should be worn if available.

For younger children, a protective jacket can be used instead of a protective mask. Such a jacket protects the respiratory organs and also gives some protection against chemical agents in liquid form.

The university does not have any form of collective protection available on campus with filters which absorb the chemical agents.

A warning system for chemical agent attacks can consist both of sirens in urban areas and of warnings on the radio. The local civil defense organization is responsible for informing the general public when it is risk-free to leave shelters, to air apartments, etc.

Airborne chemical agents come in many forms including gas and liquid droplets. Some agents react very fast while some are slow acting. It is best to not take a chance and to seek some type of shelter immediately when learning of a threat to your area.

There are a number signs posted to warn us against potential chemical hazards. Shown below are some of the common signs used.

	Poisonous The poison symbol is self-explanatory. Whereas most chemicals are fairly dangerous if ingested or inhaled, many of these are dangerous even on contact.		Stow away from foodstuffs Harmful material to be kept away from edible material.
	Environmental hazard Relatively rare with laboratory chemicals (most of which pose some environmental hazard if not got rid of correctly), these require particular care to be taken on disposal.		Dangerous when wet This generally means that it will react fairly violently with water...
	Corrosive Avoid contact with the skin. Bear in mind that these can (under some circumstances) rust chemical cupboards.		Flammable Gas Safety symbol used for the transport or storage of a flammable gas.
	Explosive Again, fairly self-explanatory, though fairly seldom seen in the average lab. Bear in mind that noise and movement can also trigger explosion (not just sparks/flames!).		Non flammable gas Safety symbol used in the transport of non flammable (and hence often non hazardous, at least out in the open) gases.
	Flammable or extremely flammable Chemicals to be stored in flame-resistant cupboards. Volatile solvents can be a particular problem as they are prone to spread around from unsealed containers. This also covers pyrophosphate materials (that catch fire spontaneously on exposure to air).		Organic Peroxide Chemical safety symbol used in the transport and storage of organic peroxides.

	Irritant or Harmful This symbol covers a wide range of (sometimes relatively minor) hazards - with precautions such as avoid contact with the skin, do not breathe, etc. - best to refer to relevant data sheet for details.		Corrosive The corrosive symbol is used in the transport of corrosive materials - again, avoid contact with the skin.
	Oxidizing chemical Oxidizing chemicals are materials that spontaneously evolve oxygen at room temperature or with slight heating, or that promote combustion. To be kept away from flammable chemicals at all costs!		Inhalation Hazard Inhalation hazard transport/storage symbol.
	Poisonous Gas Used for transport of a poisonous gas - on gas cylinders, or sometimes as an indicator on vehicles		Marine Pollutant Marine pollutant - do not dispose of in sewer system.
	Miscellaneous danger Catch-all symbol for all other dangers (usually specified in the space).		Explosive Used in the transport of explosive materials.
	Poison More general symbol for the transport of poisonous materials (not necessarily a gas).		Spontaneously Combustible Spontaneously combustible material (treat with great caution!).
	Flammable Solid Flammable solid.		Flammable Liquid Used in the transport of flammable liquids.

http://www.geocities.com/david_charles_curran/safety/

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