Chemical Quick Reference Guides
The Chemical Workgroup under the CBRN Subcommittee, under NRT’s Response Committee, has developed Chemical Quick Reference Guides (QRGs) for chemical agents in the categories shown below. QRGs are intended for Federal On-Scene Coordinators (OSCs).
Nerve Agents (Schedule 1 Chemical Warfare Agents)
Blister/Vesicant Agents (Schedule 1 Chemical Warfare Agents)
Choking/Pulmonary, Lung Damaging Agents
Toxic Industrial Chemicals (TICs)
Pesticide/Toxic Industrial Chemical/Chemical Threat Agents
Incapacitating Agents
Nerve Agents (Schedule 1 Chemical Warfare Agents)
Sarin (GB) QRG (July 2022)
Tabun (GA) QRG (July 2022)
Soman (GD) QRG (July 2022)
Cyclosarin (GF) QRG (July 2022)
VX QRG (July 2022)
Blister/Vesicant Agents (Schedule 1 Chemical Warfare Agents)
Sulfur Mustard (HD) QRG (December 2023)
Mustard-Lewisite Mixture (HL) QRG (December 2023)
Lewisite (L) QRG (December 2023)
Key References for Exposure Guidelines for Schedule 1 Chemical Warfare Agents
USAPHC, Chemical Agent Health-Based Standards and Guidelines Summary Table 1: Criteria for Airborne Exposures as of July 2011, AR 40-5e, PHN No. 0711-02, July 2011
USAPHC, Chemical Agent Health-Based Standards and Guidelines Summary Table 2: Criteria for Water, Soil, Waste, as of July 2011, AR 40-5e, PHN No. 0711-03, July 2011
Choking/Pulmonary, Lung Damaging Agents
Ammonia (NH3) QRG (2020)
Chlorine Gas (CL) QRG (2015)
Phosgene (CG) QRG (2017) (also Schedule 3 Chemical Warfare Agent)
Toxic Industrial Chemicals (TICs)
Arsine (SA) QRG (2017)
Cyanide Salts QRG (2017)
Hydrogen Cyanide (AC) QRG (2017) (also Schedule 3 Chemical Warfare Agent)
Hydrogen Sulfide (H2S) QRG (2016)
Methyl isocyanate (MIC) QRG (2015)
Tetramethylenedisulfotetramine (TETS) QRG (2013)
Pesticide/Toxic Industrial Chemical/Chemical Threat Agents
Organothiophosphate (OTP) Pesticides QRG (Parathion, Methyl Parathion, Disulfoton, Phorate, Chlorpyrifos, Malathion) (2018)
Phosphine (PH3) QRG (2018)
Incapacitating Agents
Fentanyl Factsheet for Federal On-Scene Coordinators (EPA) (2018). Additional fentanyl resources are listed below:
- Fentanyl (NIOSH)
- Opioid overdoses (CDC)
- Exposure training module (NIEHS)
- Preventing occupational exposure to emergency responders (NIOSH)
- Preventing occupational exposure to healthcare personnel in hospital and clinic settings (NIOSH)
- Personal protective equipment (PPE) table for protection against fentanyl and its analogues (NIOSH)
External Web Links
Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) (EPA)
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) website provides information on Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS), actions to address PFAS, and available resources.
Massachusetts Large Volume/High Concentration (LV/HC) Ethanol Incident Response Annex (Commonwealth of Massachusetts)
The purpose of the Massachusetts LV/HC Ethanol Incident Response Annex is to promote situational awareness and outline the operational activities surrounding a state response to large scale emergency involving ethanol, such as the response to an incident involving railroad tank cars or a barge containing ethanol, within the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Chemical Hazards Emergency Medical Management (CHEMM) Fourth Generation Agents (NIH)
Resources to help the emergency response community prepare for and respond to a fourth generation agent incident. Fourth generation agents, also known as Novichoks or A-series nerve agents, belong to a category of chemical warfare agents that are unique organophosphorus compounds.
Emergency Response Guidebook (DOT)
Emergency Response Guidebook (ERG) produced by the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA).
Chemical Hazards Response Information System (USCG)
The Chemical Hazards Response Information System (CHRIS) is designed to provide information needed for decision-making by responsible U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) personnel during emergencies that occur during the water transport of hazardous chemicals.
Chemical Safety Information, Site Security and Fuels Regulatory Relief Act Overview (EPA)
Fact sheets, statutes, regulations, policies, frequently asked questions (FAQs), etc.
Evidence-Based Planning Guidance for Patient Decontamination: “Patient Decontamination in a Mass Chemical Exposure Incident: National Planning Guidance for Communities (DHS)
The Chemical Defense Program (CDP), under the Department of Homeland Security Office of Health Affairs (OHA), and the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response (ASPR), under the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), have published the document titled “Patient Decontamination in a Mass Chemical Exposure Incident: National Planning Guidance for Communities.
Chemical Stockpile Emergency Preparedness Program (FEMA)
Overview of the Federal Emergency Management Agency's (FEMA) Chemical Stockpile Emergency Preparedness Program (CSEPP).
Chemtrec (Chemtrec)
A round-the-clock resource for obtaining immediate critical response information for incidents involving hazardous materials and dangerous goods.
Computer-Aided Management of Emergency Operations (EPA)
Computer-Aided Management of Emergency Operations (CAMEO) is a system of software applications used to plan for and respond to chemical emergencies. Developed by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to assist front-line chemical emergency planners and responders, CAMEO can access, store, and evaluate information critical for developing emergency plans.