2nd Edition

Chemical Warfare Agents Chemistry, Pharmacology, Toxicology, and Therapeutics, Second Edition

    752 Pages 130 B/W Illustrations
    by CRC Press

    The first edition of this book, Chemical Warfare Agents: Toxicity at Low Levels, was published just prior to the terrorist attacks of September 11th, 2001. Reflecting a greater sense of urgency within the field of chemical defense since this event, research related to chemical warfare agents (CWAs) continues to expand at a remarkable pace.

    Chemical Warfare Agents: Pharmacology, Toxicology, and Therapeutics, Second Edition explores the latest methods and products for preventing, diagnosing, and treating the acute and chronic effects of toxic CWA exposure. This edition citesthe key developments in chemical defense research since 2001, including new epidemiological or clinical studies of exposed or potentially exposed populations; new treatment concepts and products; improved organization of the national response apparatus in the U.S. addressing the potential for CWA terrorism; and improved diagnostic tests that enable rapid diagnosis and treatment.

    Leading researchers explain how these breakthroughs help researchers determine physiologically relevant detection thresholds and develop more effective countermeasures and national response procedures. Chemical Warfare Agents provides first responders and emergency medical teams with the most up-to-date information they need to prepare for and handle natural disasters, chemical spills, terrorism, and warfare situations—quickly and effectively.

    Brief history and use of chemical warfare agents in warfare and terrorism. Chemistry of chemical warfare agents. Chemical warfare agent threat to drinking water. Health effects of low-level exposure to nerve agents. Toxicokinetics of nerve agents. Application of genomic, proteomic, and metabolomic technologies to the development of countermeasures against chemical warfare agents. Novel approaches to medical protection against chemical warfare nerve agents. Nerve agent bioscavengers: progress in development of a new mode of protection against organophosphorus exposure. Butyrylcholinesterase and its synthetic c-terminal peptide confer in vitro suppression of amyloid fibrils formation. Novel medical countermeasure for organophosphorus intoxication: connection to alzheimer’s disease and dementia. Inhalation toxicology of nerve agents. Vesicants and oxidative stress. Health effects of exposure to vesicant agents. Cyanides: toxicology, clinical presentation, and medical management. Chemical used for riot control and personal protection. Mechanism of action of botulinum neurotoxin and overview of medical countermeasures for intoxication. Ricin and related toxins: review and perspective. Screening smokes: applications, toxicology, clinical considerations, and medical management. Clinical detection of exposure to chemical warfare agents. Personal protective equipment: practical and theoretical considerations. Chemical warfare agent decontamination from skin. Chemical warfare, chemical terrorism, and traumatic stress responses: an assessment of psychological impact. Emergency response to a chemical warfare agent incident: domestic preparedness, first response, and public health considerations. Emergency medical response to a chemical terrorist attack. Index
    Reviews of the First Edition:
    “…There is something here for everyone with an interest in chemical warfare agents. I recommend it for those interested in research or for those who are formulating plans for response to terrorism.”
    Wilderness & Environmental Medicine
    “This book is a must-read for any scientist interested in the role of the neurotransmitter acetylcholine. The detailed references along with nonjudgmental descriptions as to any causal relationship for the development of chronic neuropsychiatric disease make this a valuable informational source...“
    — Doody’s Publishing
    the First Edition:
    “…There is something here for everyone with an interest in chemical warfare agents. I recommend it for those interested in research or for those who are formulating plans for response to terrorism.”
    Wilderness & Environmental Medicine
    “This book is a must-read for any scientist interested in the role of the neurotransmitter acetylcholine. The detailed references along with nonjudgmental descriptions as to any causal relationship for the development of chronic neuropsychiatric disease make this a valuable informational source...“
    — Doody’s Publishing