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What
VX is
- VX is
a human-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 pesticides (insect killers) called organophosphates
in terms of how they work and what kinds of harmful effects they cause.
However, nerve agents are much more potent than organophosphate pesticides.
- VX was
originally developed in the United Kingdom in the early 1950s.
- VX is
odorless and tasteless.
- VX is
an oily liquid that is amber in color and very slow to evaporate. It
evaporates about as slowly as motor oil.
Where
VX is found and how it is used
- It is
possible that VX or other nerve agents were used in chemical warfare
during the Iran-Iraq War in the 1980s.
- VX is
not found naturally in the environment.
How
people can be exposed to VX
- Following
release of VX into the air, people can be exposed through skin contact,
eye contact, or inhalation (breathing in the VX mist).
- Though
VX does not mix with water as easily as other nerve agents do, it could
be released into water. Following release of VX into water, people can
be exposed by drinking contaminated water or getting contaminated water
on their skin.
- Following
contamination of food with VX, people can be exposed by eating the contaminated
food.
- VX is
primarily a liquid exposure hazard, but if it is heated to very high
temperatures, it can turn into small amounts of vapor (gas).
- A person’s
clothing can release VX for about 30 minutes after contact with VX vapor,
which can lead to exposure of other people.
- VX breaks
down slowly in the body, meaning that repeated exposures to VX and/or
other nerve agents can have a cumulative effect (build up in the body).
- Because
VX vapor is heavier than air, it will sink to low-lying areas and create
a greater exposure hazard there.
How
VX works
- The extent
of poisoning caused by VX depends on the amount of VX to which a person
was exposed, how the person was exposed, and the length of time of the
exposure.
- Symptoms
will appear within a few seconds after exposure to the vapor form of
VX, and within a few minutes to up to 18 hours after exposure to the
liquid form.
- VX is
the most potent of all nerve agents. Compared with the nerve agent sarin
(also known as GB), VX is considered to be much more toxic by entry
through the skin and somewhat more toxic by inhalation.
- It is
possible that any visible VX liquid contact on the skin, unless washed
off immediately, would be lethal.
- 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.
- VX is
the least volatile of the nerve agents, which means that it is the slowest
to evaporate from a liquid into a vapor. Therefore, VX is very persistent
in the environment. Under average weather conditions, VX can last for
days on objects that it has come in contact with. Under very cold conditions,
VX can last for months.
- Because
it evaporates so slowly, VX can be a long-term threat as well as a short-term
threat. Surfaces contaminated with VX should therefore be considered
a long-term hazard.
Immediate
signs and symptoms of VX exposure
- People
may not know they were exposed to VX because it has no odor.
- People
exposed to a low or moderate dose of VX by inhalation, ingestion (swallowing),
or skin absorption 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
-
Abnormally low or high blood pressure
- Even
a tiny drop of nerve agent on the skin can cause sweating and muscle
twitching where the agent touched the skin.
- Exposure
to a large dose of VX by any route may result in these additional health
effects:
-
Loss of consciousness
-
Convulsions
-
Paralysis
-
Respiratory failure possibly leading to death
- Showing
these signs and symptoms does not necessarily mean that a person has
been exposed to VX.
What
the long-term health effects are
Mild or
moderately exposed people usually recover completely. Severely exposed
people are not likely to survive. Unlike some organophosphate pesticides,
nerve agents have not been associated with neurological problems lasting
more than 1 to 2 weeks after the exposure.
How
people can protect themselves, and what they should do if they are exposed
to VX
- Recovery
from VX 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:
-
Leave the area where the VX 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 VX vapor.
-
If the VX release was outdoors, move away from the area where
the VX was released. Go to the highest ground possible, because
VX is heavier than air and will sink to low-lying areas.
-
If the VX release was indoors, get out of the building.
- If people
think they may have been exposed, they should remove their clothing,
rapidly wash their entire body with soap and water, and get medical
care as quickly as possible.
-
Removing and disposing of clothing:
-
Quickly take off clothing that has liquid VX on it. Any clothing
that has to be pulled over the head should be cut off the body instead
of pulled over the head. 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 help protect people from
any chemicals that might be on their clothes.
-
If clothes were placed in plastic bags, inform either the local
or state health department or emergency personnel upon their arrival.
Do not handle the plastic bags.
-
If helping other people remove their clothing, try to avoid touching
any contaminated areas, and remove the clothing as quickly as possible.
- Washing
the body:
-
As quickly as possible, wash any liquid VX from the skin with large
amounts of soap and water. Washing with soap and water will help
protect people from any chemicals on their bodies.
-
Rinse the eyes with plain water for 10 to 15 minutes if they are
burning or if vision is blurred.
- If VX
has been ingested (swallowed), do not induce vomiting or give fluids
to drink.
- Seek
medical attention right away. Dial 911 and explain what has happened.
How
VX exposure is treated
- Treatment
consists of removing VX from the body as soon as possible and providing
supportive medical care in a hospital setting. Antidotes are available
for VX. They are most useful if given as soon as possible after exposure.
How
people can get more information about VX
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
-
Emergency Preparedness and Response Web site (www.bt.cdc.gov)
-
E-mail inquiries: cdcresponse@ashastd.org
-
Mail inquiries:
Public Inquiry c/o BPRP
Bioterrorism Preparedness and Response Planning
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Mailstop C-18
1600 Clifton Road
Atlanta, GA 30333
- Agency
for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) (1-888-422-8737)
-
E-mail inquiries: atsdric@cdc.gov
-
Mail inquiries:
Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry
Division of Toxicology
1600 Clifton Road NE, Mailstop E-29
Atlanta, GA 30333
This fact sheet is based on CDC’s best current information.
It may be updated as new information becomes available.
Last
reviewed on 03/07/03.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) protects people’s
health and safety by preventing and controlling diseases and injuries;
enhances health decisions by providing credible information on critical
health issues; and promotes healthy living through strong partnerships
with local, national, and international organizations.
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