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1-1. TYPES OF CHEMICAL AGENTS

A chemical agent is a chemical substance intended for use in military operations to kill, seriously injure, or incapacitate personnel through its toxicological (poisonous) effects. Chemical agents may be inhaled as a vapor, ingested when food or water contaminated by the agent is consumed, or absorbed when the agent comes into contact with the skin or eyes. The four primary types of chemical agents are nerve agents, blood agents, blister agents, and choking (lung-damaging) agents. Incapacitating agents and vomiting agents are also considered to be chemical agents. All six types of chemical agents are deadly if the casualty is exposed to a sufficient concentration. A chemical agent may be used by itself or in combination with other chemical agents. Your protective mask and protective clothing provide good protection against all chemical agents. Chemical agents may be classified as being persistent or nonpersistent.

a. Persistent. Persistent chemical agents continue to present a hazard for a considerable period of time after delivery. They are usually released as solids or liquids. Persistent agents remain as a contact hazard or vaporize very slowly to produce a dangerous vapor.

b. Nonpersistent. Nonpersistent chemical agents present a hazard for only a short period of time after delivery. They can be aerosols, gases, vapors, liquids, or solids. Nonpersistent agents dissipate or vaporize rapidly after release and present an immediate, short duration hazard.

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