Radiation and Biochemical Injuries
Acts of terrorism using radiation, biologic
pathogens, and chemical toxins became a height-
ened worldwide concern in the latter decades of
the 20th century. Such acts have the potential to
affect large numbers of people. Because the toxic-
ity of these methods is very high, even FIRST
RESPONSE requires a sophisticated public health
approach. Injuries resulting from radiation, bio-
logic, or chemical exposure may also occur
through industrial accidents. RESPONDER SAFETY AND
PERSONAL PROTECTIONare crucial.
Radiation injuries Radiation injuries occur
when there is exposure to radiation that exceeds
the recommended safe limits. The exposure may
be chronic (small exposure over time) or acute
(sudden, massive exposure). Exposure to massive
radiation doses results in acute radiation syn-
drome, which is often fatal. Radioactive sub-
stances that pose the greatest risk for radiation
injuries include radionuclides, diethylenetri-
aminepentaacetate (DTPA), Neupogen, potassium
iodide, and Prussian blue.
Biologic injuries Biologic injuries that occur
when there is exposure to pathogens (BACTERIA
and viruses) for which immunity is low are often
serious or life-threatening illnesses. Among the
pathogens of concern for intentional harm
through biologic injury are those that cause
ANTHRAX, BOTULISM, plague, and SMALLPOX.
Chemical injuries Chemical injuries that occur
through intentional exposure to highly toxic
chemicals, typically through inhalation or contact,
often cause serious or fatal neurologic and pul-
monary injury. Among the chemicals of concern
are ammonia, arsenic, benzine, chlorine, cyanide,
mercury, mustard gas, nitrogen mustard, osmium
tetroxide, phosphine, ricin, sarin, tabun, thallium,
and VX.
See also BODY SUBSTANCE ISOLATION; CHEMOTHER-
APY; CONTACT TOXINS; ENVIRONMENTAL HAZARD EXPO-
SURE; HEAVY-METAL POISONING; INFECTION; INHALED
TOXINS; PATHOGEN; POISON PREVENTION; RADIATION
THERAPY; SITE AND SITUATION ASSESSMENT; SYMPTOM
ASSESSMENT AND CARE TRIAGE.386