Poisonous gases produced by fire

 Biological Agents

 Chemical Agents

Poisonous gases produced by Fire

Over 70% of fire related deaths are caused as a result of breathing in poisonous gases rather than burns. The most common deadly gas produced by a fire is carbon monoxide (produced by all burning items).

Other significant gases include hydrogen cyanide (from burning wool, silk, nylon and some plastics), hydrogen chloride and carbon dioxide.

Whether you are trapped in a smoke filled office block or underground station, the chances of successful escape are greatly reduced as toxic gases are breathed in through the respiratory system affecting decision making and movement abilities.





Biological Agents


ANTHRAX

An infectious disease caused by the bacteria Bacillus anthracis. Weaponized anthrax spores are dispersed by aerosol, and are highly lethal to humans producing pneumonia-like symptoms.



SMALLPOX

One of the biggest killers in history, the disease was effectively wiped out in the 1970s. In the event of a purposeful attack, the virus could be released in an aerosol. Its stability in air and high infection rate make the smallpox virus potentially very dangerous.



BOTULISM

A muscle-paralysing disease caused by a toxin from the bacterium clostridium botulinum. If untreated, the disease can eventually lead to respiratory failure and paralysis. It is fatal in 5 to 10% of cases.

The Japanese cult Aum Shikrikyo dispersed it in aerosols on at least three occasions in the 1990s.



BBC News - Threat from Disease Weapons  click here





Chemical Agents


NERVE AGENTS

Nerve agents such as VX, sarin and tabun are extremely deadly and can kill in minutes. Death usually occurs within quarter of an hour of exposure.

Nerve agents can kill after being inhaled in vapour form or if the skin is exposed to them in liquid form. Tabun and sarin were among the agents used by the Iraqi government when it killed 5,000 Iraqi Kurds in Halabja in 1988.

Perforated bags of liquid sarin were left in the Tokyo underground in the 1995 attack by the Japanese Aum Shinrikyo cult. Twelve people died.



HYDROGEN CYANIDE

Hydrogen cyanide is absorbed through the lungs into the blood. It kills body tissues by destroying their ability to take in oxygen, particularly affecting the brain and heart. The heart can stop within six to eight minutes of exposure.