{"id":1226,"date":"2012-04-12T10:03:16","date_gmt":"2012-04-12T14:03:16","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/thinblueflorida.com\/?p=1226"},"modified":"2014-05-04T18:00:12","modified_gmt":"2014-05-04T22:00:12","slug":"avoiding-the-dangers-in-a-chemical-suicide-response","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/thinblueflorida.com\/?p=1226","title":{"rendered":"Avoiding the Dangers in a Chemical Suicide Response"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Low Threat Tactical Clearing Exercise, Normally Run with SCBA’s<\/p><\/div>\n

On Monday in Boston, a BU pharmacology grad student committed suicide by lethal chemical.\u00a0 Police and Fire department personnel responding to the apartment at 676 Massachusetts Ave. were in danger from highly toxic sodium azide, which has effects similar to cyanide.\u00a0 Four police officers and two EMT’s were taken to the hospital for exposure to the chemical.<\/em><\/p>\n

I had just written an article on April 2 about a dangerous malathion suicide<\/a> attempt, where first responders needed medical attention.\u00a0 Last June, I wrote an article for BlueSheepdog called Chemical Suicides–A Safe Response.\u00a0 I thought it very important to post that article on ThinBlueFlorida for obvious officer safety reasons.<\/em><\/p>\n

Police officers respond to thousands of cases a day of a person unconscious in a vehicle.\u00a0 In most cases, the officer will find the driver has a medical issue, is under the influence of alcohol or drugs, or is just plain sleep deprived.\u00a0 Unfortunately, there is another scenario lurking out there that can be very dangerous.<\/p>\n

Chemical suicides have been on the rise.\u00a0 According to a New York State fire official, of the 72 chemical suicides in the U.S. since 2008, 80% have resulted in injuries to first responders.\u00a0 These incidents are on the increase, with more than 25 chemical suicides having been reported in the early months of 2011.<\/p>\n

A thorough officer safety assessment at the approach of a \u201cperson down\u201d can prevent a secondary exposure to toxic chemicals that may be present.\u00a0 There are potential warning signs to a chemical suicide of which officers should be aware.\u00a0 This applies to structures as well as vehicles.<\/p>\n

A chemical suicide, or detergent suicide, is self-murder by hydrogen sulfide asphyxia.\u00a0 A combination of common household cleaners can result in a two-part cocktail that produces the deadly gas.\u00a0 Internet searches and chat rooms provide the potential suicide victim with a recipe for a strong acid and sulfide solution that makes the gaseous hydrogen sulfide.<\/p>\n

Hydrogen sulfide gas (H2S) is colorless and smells much like rotten eggs.\u00a0 It can be detected by the human nose at concentrations between .13 and 100 parts per million (ppm).\u00a0 At levels above 100 ppm and with exposures from three to 15 minutes, there is a paralysis of the olfactory nerves, which shuts down the sense of smell.<\/p>\n

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When exposed to hydrogen sulfide gas from 0-50 ppm, a person suffers minor eye, nose, and throat irritation.\u00a0 From 10-50 ppm, the effects are headache, dizziness, nausea and vomiting, and coughing and difficulty breathing.<\/p>\n

Exposures to 50-200 ppm result in severe eye and respiratory irritation, shock and convulsion, coma, and possible death.\u00a0 Levels above 700 ppm will cause immediate death in as little as two to three breaths.\u00a0 Additionally, hydrogen sulfide can be flammable if exposed to an ignition source above 500 degrees (F).<\/p>\n

Chemical suicides normally occur in spaces like vehicles and small rooms because hydrogen sulfide gas, which is slightly heavier than air, must build up in a confined area to reach lethal concentrations.<\/p>\n

Vehicles are frequently used for chemical suicides because they have airtight seals in the doors and windows that easily allow the hydrogen sulfide gas to accumulate.\u00a0 Rooms in a structure are typically more difficult to seal.<\/p>\n

Upon approaching a person down in a vehicle, in addition to conventional officer safety, being mindful of the overt signs of a chemical suicide can prevent officer injuries or death.\u00a0 Detergent suicide victims may leave either a sign or note on their vehicle warning of the chemicals within.<\/p>\n

Because approximately half a gallon each of the acid and the sulfide is needed to produce a lethal amount of gas, look for visible containers for liquid inside and outside the car.\u00a0 These containers may be bottles, buckets, or coolers.\u00a0 Although definitely not recommended as a detection system, smelling the odor of rotten eggs upon approaching a vehicle would constitute a danger sign.<\/p>\n

Chemical suicides can also be committed inside dwellings or structures. Warning indicators that may be present include:<\/p>\n