TOXIC GAS

DISPERSION
Fandita Tonyka Maharani, SKM, M.Sc, M.KKK
TYPES OF TOXIC GASES
 Toxic Gases from Industrial Accidents

- Direct causes include leaks from a vessel, a pipeline, etc.

Indirect causes can be another accident (i.e., fire) which had as a consequence the combustion
of various materials and chemicals that resulted in the creation and release of toxic gases (i.e.,
dioxins).

 Toxic Gases in Terrorist Actions

TOXIC GASES IN TERRORIST
ACTIONS
a) Nerve Agents
considered lethal chemical weapons
They are stable phosphorous-containing compounds, easily produced and disseminated, and
extremely toxic with direct, fast consequences, as they intervene in the transmission of the
neural impulses through the acetylcholine cycle.
When disseminated as spray or aerosols, they form droplets that get absorbed by the skin, the
eyes or by respiration, while as a gas, they are absorbed through respiration.
b) Choking Agents
 Choking agents inflict injury mainly on the respiratory tract, including the nose, throat, and
especially the lungs. They can all lead to pulmonary edema, respiratory and heart failure.
 Choking agents are in a liquid phase, initially held in a cell. Following explosion, they
vaporize in a low-height cloud with a characteristic smell of freshly cut grass
 The symptoms, following a small exposure time, include initial failure of the respiratory
system, which progressively can lead to death.
 Higher concentrations of these substances cause spasmodic coughing, suffocation and
eventually death.
 The exact mechanism of the behavior of chocking agents is not exactly known, but it has been
suggested that they block the action of enzymes, or produce HCl in the lungs' alveolus (fill or
empty the air during respiration). Most probably, these substances (as they are highly active
molecules), react directly with the alveolarcapillary membranes, leading to leakage of fluid
from those capillaries into the interstitial portions of the lung. This disrupts the exchange of
air, reduces the oxygen intake, and results in heart failure.
c) Blister Agents
 Blister agents are named for their ability to cause severe chemical burns, resulting in large,
painful water blisters on the bodies of those affected. Sulfur Mustard (known also as mustard
gas) was used more than any other blister agent, because of its ease of production and its
direct, very harmful and long lasting symptoms. It causes severe skin, eye and mucosal pain
and irritation. Nitrogen mustards attack the skin directly. They were first produced after 1930,
but there are no proofs up to today of their use in war actions.
d) Blood Agents
 A blood agent or cyanogen agent is a chemical compound, carried by the blood for distribution
through the body. Blood agents may contain the cyanide group, which can inactivate the
energy-producing cytochrome oxidase enzymes of cells in the body. The term "blood agent" is
a misnomer, because these agents do not typically affect the blood, but exert their toxic effect
at the cellular level, by interrupting the electron transport chain in the inner membranes of
mitochondria. The transfer of oxygen in the cells is disrupted and the cells die. Although they
affect all tissues in the body, the most sensitive organs in the effect of cyanide are the central
neural system and the heart.
 Within seconds of exposure to high concentrations of cyanide gas an initial hyperpnea is
followed by a loss of consciousness (within 30 s). This progresses to apnea (3-5 min),
cessation of cardiac activity (5-8 min), and death. After exposure to lower concentrations, or
exposure to lethal amounts via the oral or percutaneous routes, the effects develop more
slowly.
e) Tear Agents
 Tear agents (known also as Tear Gases or Lachrymatory Agents) are chemical compounds that
stimulate the corneal nerves in the eyes to cause tearing, pain, and even temporary blindness,
thus restricting the movement of people.
 They also irritate mucous membranes in the nose, mouth and lungs, and cause sneezing,
coughing, etc.
 The effects persist as long as the concentration is high and diminish slowly as concentrations
drop. They are mostly employed for crowd control.
 The symptoms of tear agents are direct and fast. Normally they are found as solids of white
color. They are stable compounds, can withstand heating and have very low vapor pressure. For
this reason, they are usually disseminated as aerosols.
f) Vomiting Agents
 Vomiting Agents are solids, primarily disseminated as aerosols.
 They have been produced for two purposes, as riot-control agents and as emesis-inducing
agents to promote removal of personal protective gear during chemical warfare. The primary
route of absorption is through the respiratory system. Exposure can also occur by ingestion,
dermal absorption, or eye impact.
g) Incapacitating Agents
 Incapacitating agents produce temporary physiological or mental effects, or both, which will
render individuals incapable of concerted effort in the performance of their assigned duties.
 The most common such agent is BZ (3-Quinuclidinyl benzilate) also known as Agent 15.
 Incapacitation may result from physiological changes such as mucous membrane irritation,
diarrhea, or hyperthermia, but also effects such as hallucinations or deep sleep are not unusual.
CLOUD DISPERSION
 Meteorological Conditions

a) Air Circulation
b) Atmospheric Stability
c) Wind Speed
d) Temperature Inversion
TOXIC GAS DISPERSION
 Light gas (ex: Helium (He)  density 0.8 g/L)
 Heavy gas (ex: Sulfur hexafluoride (SF6)  density 6.16 g/L)
SOURCE OF TOXIC GAS
DISPERSION
 direct dispersion of toxic gases
 indirect dispersion following an explosion
 indirect appearance as combustion products following a fire of harmful chemicals