Health Risk Assessment for Nerve Agent GD (Soman)(From Review of the U.S. Army's Health Risk Assessments for Oral Exposure to Six Chemical-Warfare Agents, P 169-196, 1999, Ruth E. Crossgrove, ed., -- See NCJ-190887)

• NCJ Number: 190897
• Author(s): Robert A. Young
• Date Published: 1999
• Length: 28 pages
• Corporate Author: Oak Ridge National Laboratory Life Science Division
• Sale Source: National Academies Press
• Publication Format: Book (Softbound)
• Publication Type: Program/Project Evaluation
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

This report assesses the potential noncancer and cancer effects of chemical agent soman (GD).

Abstract

Nerve agent soman (GD) is a colorless liquid. Data specifically regarding the fate of GD in the atmosphere were not located. GD is likely to undergo hydrolysis in most soils. The effects of the organophosphate nerve agents can be characterized as being muscarinic, nicotinic, or central nervous system-related. In addition to being found in the nervous system, it also occurs in the blood where it is bound to the surface of red blood cells. Nerve agents are acutely toxic by all routes of exposure. Initial symptoms of acute poisoning are fatigue, headache, mild vertigo, weakness, and loss of concentration. Moderate exposures result in miosis and excessive sweating, tearing, and salivation. Acute poisoning can result in prostration and convulsions. Acute exposure to nerve agents are known to cause EEG changes which may persist for long periods of time after exposure. There were no studies evaluating the developmental or reproductive effects of GD in humans or laboratory animals. The potential carcinogenicity of agent GD could not be determined. Data were inadequate for performing a quantitative assessment of agent GD. 8 tables and 86 references