CHEMICAL SUICIDECHEMICAL SUICIDE

HAZMATHAZMATREFRESHERREFRESHER

BOONE COUNTY FIRE BOONE COUNTY FIRE PROTECTION DISTRICTPROTECTION DISTRICT

Provide firefighters with a guideline for Provide firefighters with a guideline for identifying key components of a chemical identifying key components of a chemical

suicide and then tools to handle those suicide and then tools to handle those incidentsincidents

PurposePurpose

Not just your Not just your “typical” “typical” Emergency:Emergency:

32B03 – MAN DOWN UNK PROBLEM32B03 – MAN DOWN UNK PROBLEM60D4O – GAS ODOR INSIDE60D4O – GAS ODOR INSIDE

USE CAUTION

BE ON YOUR TOESBE ON YOUR TOES•Unconscious IndividualsUnconscious Individuals

•Tape over vents, doors, and Tape over vents, doors, and windowswindows

•Suicide NoteSuicide Note

•Posted Warning to First Posted Warning to First Responders of Present DangerResponders of Present Danger

•Chemical containers in and Chemical containers in and around the vehicle or roomaround the vehicle or room

•Smell of Rotten EggsSmell of Rotten Eggs

H2SH2SCommon Name: Common Name: HYDROGEN SULFIDEHYDROGEN SULFIDEDOT Number: DOT Number: UN 1053UN 1053NAERG Code: NAERG Code: 117 117 CAS Number: CAS Number: 7783-06-47783-06-4Hazard rating: Hazard rating: NJDHSS NFPANJDHSS NFPAFLAMMABILITY:FLAMMABILITY: - 4 - 4 REACTIVITY:REACTIVITY: - 0 - 0FLAMMABLE -EXPLOSIVEFLAMMABLE -EXPLOSIVE

Chemicals UsedChemicals Used

Include but NOT limited to:Include but NOT limited to:

• Bonide Sulfur Spray- Bonide Sulfur Spray- InsecticideInsecticide

• Hydrochloric Hydrochloric (Muriatic) Acid (Pool (Muriatic) Acid (Pool Chemical)Chemical)

• Toilet Bowl CleanerToilet Bowl Cleaner• Laundry DetergentLaundry Detergent

Mechanism of ActionHow it worksHow it works• Acts as an irritant and chemical

asphyxiant• Acts as a relaxant of smooth

muscle---Vasodilator• Mitochondrial Poison (Similar to

Cyanide)• Prevents oxygen transport by

binding with hemoglobin in red blood cells

• Once in the body it is rapidly distributed to various organs– CNS, Lungs, Liver, etc.

Naturally Produced in the BodyNaturally Produced in the Body• High values present in

people who have:– Alzheimer’s Disease– Down Syndrome– Type 1 Diabetes

Interventions• Set Parameters

•Establish a HOT zone•100 meters minimum•Emergency Decon?

• EMS•High Flow 02•H2S acts like Cyanide poisoning and binds with hemoglobin

IDLH 100 ppm700 ppm 1 breath = DEATH

• Plant and Animal Breakdown

• Swamps / Bogs• Hot Springs• Waste Disposal• Sewers• Paper Manufacturers

• 0.13 ppm0.13 ppm

What’s thWhat’s that Smell?at Smell?

Sugar Creek, MO Sugar Creek, MO Dec. 22, 2009Dec. 22, 2009

A man used hydrogen cyanide A man used hydrogen cyanide chemicals to kill himself in a confined chemicals to kill himself in a confined pickup truck. pickup truck.

Four responders and a family member Four responders and a family member were exposed to the toxic gases from were exposed to the toxic gases from inside the vehicle. inside the vehicle.

All five were just taken to the hospital All five were just taken to the hospital as a precaution. as a precaution.

No warning note was found on the No warning note was found on the truck. truck.

The man worked in a lab and had The man worked in a lab and had access to cyanide.access to cyanide.

Two containers were found in the truckTwo containers were found in the truck