Sarin

Sarin [(CH₃)₂CHO]CH₃P(O)F is an organophosphorus compound, which is used as chemical weapon. Sarin was first produced by German scientists in 1938. It have been used as chemical weapons of choice since World War II. It is a colourless, odourless liquid which evaporates at room temperature. Sarin possess the typical organophosphate characteristics of stability, high toxicity, and is an easily dispersed agent that acts extremely quickly when absorbed through the skin or inhaled.

Sarin acts by interfering with cholinesterase, a chemical that transmits impulses from one nerve cell to the next. Sarin is estimated to be over 500 times more toxic than cyanide. Sarin was developed by the Nazis during World War II. In 1995 it was used by Aum Shinri Kyo, a Japanese religious sect, in a terrorist attack in the Tokyo subway, killing eight people and injuring thousands.

Tokyo Sarin Attack

Sarin is the most volatile of the nerve agents, which evaporate easily and quickly. However, it also breaks down very quickly, having a short life of only a few weeks. Sarin is prepared from methylphosphonyl difluoride and a mixture of isopropyl alcohol. Isopropylamine is added to neutralize the hydrogen fluoride generated during this alcoholysis reaction. As a binary chemical weapon, it can be generated in situ by this same reaction.

CH₃P(O)F₂ + (CH₃)₂CHOH → [(CH₃)₂CHO]CH₃P(O)F + HF

People may not know that they were exposed because sarin has no odor. People can be exposed to the vapor even if they do not come in contact with the liquid form of sarin. Symptoms which appear within moments of exposure :

o Runny nose

o Watery eyes

o Small, pinpoint pupils

o Eye pain

o Blurred vision

o Drooling and excessive sweating

o Cough

o Chest tightness

o Rapid breathing

o Diarrhea

o Increased urination

o Confusion

o Drowsiness

o Weakness

o Headache

o Nausea, vomiting, and/or abdominal pain

o Slow or fast heart rate

o Low or high blood pressure

Overexpose to sarin may results harmful health effect:

o Loss of consciousness

o Convulsions

o Paralysis

o Respiratory failure possibly leading to death

Death does not always come with a warning and can be a consequence of the symptoms due to sarin exposure. Death is caused by anoxia resulting from airway obstruction, weakness of the muscles of respiration and central depression of respiration. There is few ways of prevention & protect against chemical weapon.

Inhalation: Workers & soldiers must wear on standard nuclear-chemical-biological suit protecting every part of the human body. When sarin gas is inhaled, hold breath until respiratory protective mask is donned. If breathing has stopped, give artificial respiration. Do not use mouth-to-mouth resuscitation when facial contamination exists. If breathing is difficult, administer oxygen. Seek medical attention immediately.

Eye contact: Immediately wash your eyes with water. then put on respiratory protective mask.

Skin contact: Immediately wash contaminated skin with soap ,10% sodium carbonate solution, or 5% liquid household bleach. Clothes and the suit pose a biohazard and must be carefully disposed.

Ingestion: Seek for medical attention immediately

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References:

http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-sarin.htm

http://www.sc-ems.com/ems/NuclearBiologicalChemical/Sarin/sarin.htm