Date of Award

6-18-2015

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Science in Environmental Engineering and Science

Department

Department of Systems Engineering and Management

First Advisor

Michael L. Shelley, PhD.

Abstract

The 2010 National Security Strategy states, The effective dissemination of a lethal agent would endanger the lives of thousands of people and have unprecedented economic, societal, and political consequences. We must continue to work at home with first responders and health officials to reduce the risk associated with high-consequence threats . Nerve agents, such as Sarin gas, are considered high consequence threats. The threat of use of agents such as Sarin is as much a threat today as any other time in our history. However, the suggested treatment protocol is not as precise as it could be. Debate exists over the dosing and timing of atropine and oxime treatment when combating the effects caused by exposure to nerve agents. Oxime treatment has proved to be less than effective under several situations. The research presented in this paper used a physiologically based pharmacokinetic model to determine if the current treatment protocol prescribed by the Center for Disease Control (CDC) and the U.S Army is effective in treating victims suffering from acute exposure symptoms. Then the model was used to determine what treatment should be applied to victims suffering from mild exposure symptoms. The results indicate that the current treatment prescribed by the CDC and U.S. Army is effective; however treatment with oxime therapy was not effective in alleviating symptoms for someone suffering from mild exposure. By applying these results a treatment protocol was developed for someone suffering from mild exposure symptoms to Sarin gas.

AFIT Designator

AFIT-ENV-MS-15-J-053

DTIC Accession Number

ADA623594

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