Potential agents of chemical warfare

PREVIEW

The intentional release of pulmonary agents, cyanides, incapacitating agents, or riot-control agents is increasingly likely in our unstable global political environment. In the chaos and panic that invariably would follow a chemical attack, primary care physicians would be relied on to provide care for the injured and guidance for emergency response crews. In this article, a complement to the bioterrorism symposium featured in the August issue, Drs Lazarus and Devereaux outline triage and safety protocols to follow in the wake of such an event. A related article on vesicants and nerve agents appeared in the October issue.