NERVE AGENT

VX

 

 

CAS # 50782-69-9; 51848-47-6; 53800-40-1; 70938-84-0
RTECS #
Counter Terrorism Card 0006

VX
methylphosphonothioic acid, S-[2-[bis(1-methylethyl)amino]ethyl]- O-ethyl ester
O-ethyl-S-(2-diisopropylaminoethyl) methylphosphonothiolate




Chemical Formula C11H26NO2PS
Molecular mass: 267.37

 

 

TYPES OF
HAZARD/
EXPOSURE

ACUTE HAZARDS/
SYMPTOMS

PREVENTION

FIRST AID/
FIRE FIGHTING

FIRE

 

Contain to prevent contamination to uncontrolled areas.

Water mist, fog, foam, CO2. Avoid methods that will cause splashing or spreading.

EXPLOSION

 

 

 

EXPOSURE

·  Lethal cholinesterase inhibitor in liquid or vapor form.

· Potentially fatal at doses only slightly larger than those producing least effects.

·  Clothing releases agent for about 30 minutes after contact with vapor.

· Contaminated surfaces present long-term contact hazard.

Do not breathe fumes.
Skin contact must be avoided at all times.

Seek medical attention Immediately.

  1. INHALATION

Symptoms may occur within minutes or hours, depending upon dose. Death usually occurs within 15 minutes after absorption of a fatal dose.

Same sequence of symptoms despite the route of exposure:

MILD

·  runny nose

·  tightness of the chest and breathing difficulty

·  eye pain, dimness of vision and pin pointing of pupils (miosis)

·  difficulty in breathing and cough

MODERATE

·  increased eye symptoms with blurred vision

·  drooling and excessive sweating

·  severe nasal congestion

·  increased tightness of the chest and breathing difficulty

·  nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and cramps

·  generalized weakness, twitching of large muscle groups

·  headache, confusion, and drowsiness

SEVERE

·  involuntary defecation and urination

·  very copious secretions

·  twitching, jerking, staggering and convulsions

·  cessation of breathing, loss of consciousness, coma and death.

Hold breath until respiratory protective mask is donned.

Fire-fighting personnel should wear full protective clothing and respiratory protection during fire-fighting and rescue.

Positive pressure, full face piece, NIOSH-approved self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) will be worn.

·  If severe signs, immediately administer, in rapid succession, all three Nerve Agent Antidote Kit(s), Mark I injectors (or atropine if directed by a physician).

·  If signs and symptoms are progressing, use injectors at 5 to 20 minute intervals. (No more than 3 injections unless directed by medical personnel.)

·  Maintain record of all injections given.

·  Give artificial respiration if breathing has stopped. Use mouth-to-mouth when mask-bag or oxygen delivery systems not available. Do not use mouth-to-mouth if face is contaminated.

·  Administer oxygen if breathing is difficult.

  1. SKIN

See Inhalation

Pupil size may range from nomal to moderately reduced.

Protective Gloves: Butyl Rubber Glove M3 and M4 Norton, Chemical Protective Glove Set

The primary mode for decontamination of chemical agents is soap and water. A 0.5% hypochlorite solution can be used. There are differing guidelines for decontamination and more research is needed to identify the optimal decontamination method.

See "Personal Decontamination" and "Appendix D" in Treatment of Chemical Agent Casualties and Conventional Military Chemical Injuries (from the U.S. Navy Counterproliferation Office).

See also the Medical Management of Chemical Casualties Handbook (from the U.S. Army Medical Research Institute of Chemical Defense [USAMRICD]) for a general review of the issues and more on the military decontamination powder approach.
  1. EYES

See Inhalation

Very rapid onset of symptoms.

Chemical goggles and face shield.

Immediately flush eyes with water for 10-15 minutes, then don respiratory protective mask.
Symptoms of only miosis does not warrant antidote injection.
  1. INGESTION

See Inhalation

Pupil size may range from normal to moderately reduced.

 

Do not induce vomiting. First symptoms are likely to be gastrointestinal. Immediately administer Nerve Agent Antidote Kit, Mark I.

 

DECONTAMINATION

SPILLAGE DISPOSAL

PACKAGING & LABELLING
  1. Large scale procedure (greater than 50g) -- use both calcium hypochlorite (HTH) and NaOH (SEE SPILLAGE)
  2. The small-scale decontamination procedure uses sufficient alcoholic HTH to oxidize.
  3. If alcoholic HTH mixture is not available, then use following in the order of preference: Decontaminating Agent (DS2), Supertropical Bleach Slurry (STB), and Sodium Hypochlorite.

·  Cover with vermiculite, diatomaceous earth, clay or fine sand. An alcoholic HTH mixture is prepared by adding 100 milliliters of denatured ethanol to a 900-milliliter slurry of 10% HTH in water just prior to use since the HTH can react with the ethanol. Mix 14g of alcoholic HTH solution for each 1g of VX and agitate as added for a minimum of 1 hr. The mixture will give off heat and gas which should be routed through a decontaminate filled scrubber before release through filtration systems. After the 1hr minimum agitation, 10% sodium hydroxide is added to produce a pH of 12.5 which is maintained for not less than 24 hr. Hold the material at a pH 10 - 12 for 90 days.

·  Scoop decontaminated material and place in approved container. After sealing, decontaminate the exterior and label. All leaking containers will be over packed with sorbent (e.g. vermiculite) placed between the interior and exterior containers. Label and dispose according to regulations. Conduct general area monitoring.

Proper Shipping Name: Toxic liquids, organic, n.o.s.
DOT Hazard Class: 6.1, Packing Group I, Hazard Zone A.
DOT Label: Poison.
DOT Marking: Toxic liquids, organic, n.o.s. (O-ethel S-(2-diisopropylaminoethyl)methylphosphonothiolate) UN 2810, Inhalation Hazard.
DOT Placard:

NFPA 704 Signal:

  1. Health - 4
  2. Flammability - 1
  3. Reactivity - 1
  4. Special - 0

 

 

 

 

 


I
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PHYSICAL STATE; APPEARANCE:
Colorless to straw-colored liquid and oderless, similar in appearance to motor oil.

PHYSICAL DANGERS:


CHEMICAL DANGERS:

·  Relatively stable at room temperature. Unstabilized VX of 95% purity decomposes at a rate of 5% a month at 71 °C.
At pH 12, the toxic by-product has a half-life of about 14 days and in 90 days there is about a 64-fold reduction of EA2192.

OCCUPATIONAL EXPOSURE LIMITS (OELs):
TLV : 0.00001 mg/m3 (military, not ACGIH)

ROUTES OF EXPOSURE:
The substance can be absorbed into the body by all routes.

INHALATION RISK:
Usually liquid in normal state. It has low volatility and is about 2000 times less volatile than Sarin; however, it is about 10 times more toxic.

EFFECTS OF SHORT-TERM EXPOSURE:
VX, a sulfonated organophosphorous compound, is a lethal cholinesterase inhibitor similar in action to Sarin. Doses which are potentially life-threatening may be only slightly larger than those producing least effects. Death usually occurs within 15 minutes after absorption of a fatal dosage.

EFFECTS OF LONG-TERM OR REPEATED EXPOSURE:
Limited data suggest delayed neuropathy (postural sway, psychomotor performance). Miosis has been noted up to 62 days.

PHYSICAL
PROPERTIES

melting point: -50°C
boiling point: 298°C
vapor pressure (25°C): 0.00063 mm Hg
density (20°C): 1.0083 g /cm3
volatility: 8.9 mg/m3 at 25°C
specific gravity: 1.0113 at 25°C

aqueous solubility: miscible below 9.4°C
Soluble 5.0 g/100g (21.5 °C) and 3.0 g/100g (25 °C) in water. Soluble in organic solvents.
estimated log Kow: 2.06
log Kbenzene-water: unknown
flashpoint: 159°F
flammability: unknown

ENVIRONMENTAL
DATA

Sunlight and/or heat causes reversible photoisomerization.
VX is hydrolyzed only slowly, and the hydrolysis products include EA2192, which is nearly as toxic as VX and is hydrolyzed over 1,000 times more slowly. Oxidation using common bleach (Na+OCl-) and superchlorinated bleach (Ca+2(OCl-)2) will decontaminate.

N O T E S

 

 

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Trade Names and Other Synonyms:

  1. Phosphonothioic acid, methyl-,
  2. S-(2-bis(1-methylethylamino)ethyl) 0-ethyl ester O-ethyl
  3. S-(2-diisopropylaminoethyl) methylphosphonothiolate
  4. S-2-Diisopropylaminoethyl O-ethyl methylphosphonothioate
  5. S-2((2-Diisopropylamino)ethyl) O-ethyl methylphosphonothiolate
  6. O-ethyl S-(2-diisopropylaminoethyl) methylphosphonothioate
  7. O-ethyl S-(2-diisopropylaminoethyl) methylthiolphosphonoate
  8. S-(2-diisopropylaminoethyl) o-ethyl methyl phosphonothiolate
  9. Ethyl-S-dimethylaminoethyl methylphosphonothiolate VX
  10. EA 1701
  11. TX60

 

 

IMPORTANT NOTICE:

VX (CTC: 0006)    Neither the CDC or NIOSH nor any person acting on behalf of the CDC or NIOSH is responsible for the use which might be made of this information. This card contains the collective views of these agencies and may not reflect in all cases all the detailed requirements in response to a terrorism event on the subject. The user should verify compliance of the cards with the relevant STATE or TERRITORY legislation before use. NIOSH, CDC 2000