Facts on the Deadly Soman Nerve Agent

— -- Soman, a nerve agent said to have made up much of the former Soviet Union's chemical arsenal, is considered one of the most toxic chemical agents known.

What It Does

Victims of soman exposure die of suffocation when their respiratory system fails, as the agent interferes with the chemical that regulates muscle functions. It is a volatile substance, making it an immediate but short-lived threat.

How Lethal It Is

Soman is most lethal when it is inhaled, but it can be absorbed through the skin or ingested. Just a couple drops on the skin can quickly poison the entire body. If it gets on someone's clothes, wherever they go for approximately 30 minutes other people will be exposed. It also mixes easily with water, so it can be used to poison water supplies. Treatment must come within minutes of exposure.

Forms

Pure soman is a clear liquid that can become a vapor if heated, and evaporates quickly.

Symptoms of Exposure

Symptoms appear within a few seconds after exposure to the vapor form, and within a few minutes to up to 18 hours after exposure to the liquid form. Symptoms of exposure to moderate amounts include runny nose, watery eyes, pinpoint pupils, eye pain, blurred vision, drooling and excessive sweating, chest tightness, rapid breathing, diarrhea, increased urination and confusion. If someone has been exposed to large amounts, these symptoms will lead to loss of consciousness, convulsions, paralysis and respiratory failure, possibly leading to death.

What It Looks Like

It is clear liquid with a fruity odor in its pure form, and in its industrial form it is yellowish-brown with a camphor-like odor.

How You Can Protect Yourself

Contact can be prevented by wearing a gas mask and having the skin covered by thick or nonpermeable clothing. People should leave the area where the soman was released and get to fresh air as quickly as possible. If the soman was released outdoors, people should move away from the area where it was released and go to the highest ground possible, because soman is heavier than air and will sink to low-lying areas. People who think they may have been exposed should remove their clothing, rapidly wash their entire body with soap and water, and get medical care as quickly as possible.