title: Toxic industrial chemicals and chemical weapons: exposure, identification, and management by syndrome.
abstract: Toxidromes aid emergency care providers in the context of the patient presenting with suspected poisoning, unexplained altered mental status, unknown hazardous materials or chemical weapons exposure, or the unknown overdose. The ability to capture an adequate chemical exposure history and to recognize toxidromes may reduce dependence on laboratory tests, speed time to delivery of specific antidote therapy, and improve selection of supportive care practices tailored to the etiologic agent. This article highlights elements of the exposure history and presents selected toxidromes that may be caused by toxic industrial chemicals and chemical weapons. Specific antidotes for toxidromes and points regarding their use, and special supportive measures, are presented.
authors.affiliation: Department of Emergency Medicine, Yale New Haven Center for Emergency Preparedness and Disaster Response, Yale New Haven Health System, Yale University School of Medicine, 464 Congress Avenue, Suite 260, New Haven, CT 06519, USA. Electronic address: anthony.tomassoni@yale.edu.
authors.forename: Anthony J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Tomassoni
authors.affiliation: College of Medicine, College of Pharmacy, The University of Arizona, 1501 North Campbell Avenue, Tucson, AZ 85724, USA.
authors.forename: Robert N E
authors.initials: RN
authors.lastname: French
authors.affiliation: College of Medicine, College of Pharmacy, The University of Arizona, 1501 North Campbell Avenue, Tucson, AZ 85724, USA.
authors.forename: Frank G
authors.initials: FG
authors.lastname: Walter
mesh_terms: D002619:Chemical Warfare Agents / Q000506:poisoning*; D004189:Disaster Planning / Q000458:organization & administration; D019468:Disease Management; D004636:Emergency Service, Hospital; D004781:Environmental Exposure; D015386:Hazardous Substances / Q000506:poisoning*; D006801:Humans; D011041:Poisoning / Q000175:diagnosis
chemical_list: D002619:Chemical Warfare Agents; D015386:Hazardous Substances
keywords: Antidotes; Exposure history; Toxic industrial chemicals; Toxidrome