Which statement correctly describes blood agents like arsine?

Which statement correctly describes blood agents like arsine?

• A. They are corrosive liquids
• B. They are oxidizers
• C. They are contact irritants
• D. They are hazardous inhalation agents classified as 2.3

Answer: (D)

Blood agents like arsine are inhalation hazards that disrupt the body's ability to transport and use oxygen. When inhaled, arsine damages red blood cells, causing hemolysis and rapid systemic toxicity that can lead to severe hypoxia. This makes them a toxic inhalation hazard, classified as 2.3, which denotes toxic gases. They are not corrosive liquids, nor oxidizers, and they do not act primarily as contact irritants; their danger comes from breathing the vapor and the resulting systemic effect. Because the risk comes from inhalation, responders focus on respiratory protection and rapid evacuation or isolation to prevent exposure.

Blood agents like arsine are inhalation hazards that disrupt the body's ability to transport and use oxygen. When inhaled, arsine damages red blood cells, causing hemolysis and rapid systemic toxicity that can lead to severe hypoxia. This makes them a toxic inhalation hazard, classified as 2.3, which denotes toxic gases. They are not corrosive liquids, nor oxidizers, and they do not act primarily as contact irritants; their danger comes from breathing the vapor and the resulting systemic effect. Because the risk comes from inhalation, responders focus on respiratory protection and rapid evacuation or isolation to prevent exposure.