Course Toxic Exposures

Thermomechanical disasters involve situations where either a bomb has been deployed or an explosion has occurred. Most patients will present with physical injuries (head injuries, broken bones, crush injuries and ear drum trauma) and burns. See Module 4, Pediatric Trauma, for injury and burn management. Medical personnel must be alert to signs of smoke inhalation with carbon monoxide and cyanide as fire victims may have suffered toxin exposures. As with natural disasters, any force that disrupts the soil or structure of homes or nearby industries can lead to secondary chemical exposures. Be alert to clustering of symptoms that could suggest an ongoing toxin exposure in the area.