Indicators of a Possible Incident (chemical, biological and radiological incident)

Chemical Incident

Dead animals/birds/fish:

Not just an occasional roadkill, but numerous animals (wild and domestic, small and large), birds and fish in the same area.

Lack of insect life:

If normal insect activity (ground, air, and/or water) is missing, then check the ground/water surface/shore line for dead insects. If near water, check for dead fish/aquatic birds.

Physical Symptoms:

Numerous individuals experiencing unexplained water-like blisters, wheals (like bee stings), pinpointed pupils, choking, respiratory ailments and/or rashes.

Mass casualties:

Numerous individuals exhibiting unexplained serious health problems ranging from nausea to disorientation to difficulty in breathing to convulsions to death.

Definite pattern of casualties:

Casualties distributed in a pattern that may be associated with possible agent dissemination methods.

Illness associated with confined geographic area:

Lower attack rates for people working indoors versus outdoors, or outdoors versus indoors.

Unusual liquid droplets:

Numerous surfaces exhibit oily droplets/film; numerous water surfaces have an oily film. (No recent rain.)

Areas that look different in appearance:

Not just a patch of dead weeds, but trees, shrubs, bushes, food crops, and/or lawns that are dead, discolored, or withered. (No current drought.)

Unexplained odors:

Smells may range from fruity to flowery to sharp/pungent to garlic/horseradish-like to bitter almonds/peach kernels to new mown hay. It is important to note that the particular odor is completely out of character with its surroundings.

Low-lying clouds:

Low-lying cloud/fog-like condition that is not explained by its surroundings.

Unusual metal debris:

Unexplained bomb/munitions-like material, especially if it contains a liquid.(No recent rain.)

Biological

Unusual numbers, of sick or dying people or animals:

Any number of symptoms may occur. As a first responder, strong consideration should be given to calling local hospitals to see if additional causalities with similar symptoms have been observed.

Casualties may occur hours to days to weeks after an incident has occurred.

The time required before symptoms are observed is dependent on the agent used and the dose received.

Additional symptoms likely to occur include unexplained gastrointestinal illnesses and upper respiratory problems similar to flu/colds.

Unscheduled and unusual spray being disseminated:

Especially if outdoors during periods of darkness.

Abandoned spray devices:

Devices will have no distinct odors.

Radiological

Unusual numbers, of sick or dying people or animals:

As a first responder, strong consideration should be given to calling local hospitals to see if additional casualties with similar symptoms have been observed.

Casualties may occur hours to days or weeks after an incident has occurred.

The time required before symptoms are observed is dependent on the radioactive material used and the dose received.

Additional symptoms include skin reddening and, in severe cases, vomiting.

Unusual metal debris:

Unexplained bomb/munitions-like material.

Radiation Symbols:

Containers may display a radiation symbol.