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).

Note: Chemical Warfare Agents fall into four categories: nerve agents, blister/vesicant agents, choking agents, and blood 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 / Toxic Industrial Chemicals

Ammonia QRG (2020)

Chlorine Gas (CL) QRG (2015)

Phosgene (CG) QRG (2017) (also Schedule 3 Chemical Warfare Agent)

Blood Agents / Toxic Industrial Chemicals

Arsine (SA) QRG (2017)

Cyanide Salts QRG (2017)

Hydrogen Cyanide (AC) QRG (2017) (also Schedule 3 Chemical Warfare Agent)

Toxic Industrial Chemicals

Hydrogen Sulfide (H2S) QRG (2016)

Methyl isocyanate (MIC) QRG (2015)

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 QRG (June 2025)

Chemical Threat Agent / Convulsant

TETS (tetramethylenedisulfotetramine) QRG (2013)

External Web Links

Computer-Aided Management of Emergency Operations (CAMEO®) (EPA)

Computer-Aided Management of Emergency Operations (CAMEO®) is a system of software applications used to plan for and respond to chemical emergencies. CAMEO is developed by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to assist chemical emergency planners and responders with chemical and all-hazards planning. CAMEO can access, store, and evaluate information critical for developing emergency plans.

Chemical Warfare Agents (EPA)

EPA provides chemical subject matter expert support to the 10 EPA Regions and other EPA program offices for CBRN responses.

Operational Test and Evaluation of Chemical Remediation Activities, EPA 600/R-24/177, September 2024 (EPA)

EPA’s Office of Research and Development, Center For Environmental Solutions and Emergency Response, developed this report to describe the outcomes from the full-scale Operational Test and Evaluation of Chemical Remediation Activities (OTECRA) field study. OTECRA was conducted to operationally test and evaluate current capabilities to remediate an indoor environment following a simulated chemical warfare agent (CWA) release.

Chemical Hazards Response Information System (CHRIS) (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. CHRIS consists of a handbook or manual, a hazard assessment computer system (HACS), and technical support personnel.

USCG Hazardous Materials Division (CG-ENG-5) (USCG)

The Hazardous Materials Division is responsible for developing and maintaining regulations, standards, and industry guidance to promote the safety of life and protection of property and the environment during the marine transportation of hazardous materials, including providing expertise and technical support to the Commandant, Coast Guard units, U.S. Governmental agencies, other national governments, industry, and the public.

Oil and Chemical Incident Annex to the Response and Recovery Federal Interagency Operational Plans, February 2021 (FEMA)

The Oil and Chemical Incident Annex (OCIA) to the Response and Recovery Federal Interagency Operational Plans (FIOPs) provides guidance and serves as a reference for federal departments and agencies that are planning for oil and chemical incidents. Other stakeholders such as state, local, tribal, and territorial governments; nongovernmental organizations; and the private sector will also find the OCIA to be a useful document that supports and complements their planning efforts in responding to and recovering from oil or chemical incidents.

Planning and Decision Framework for Chemical Incident Consequence Management, July 2022 (FEMA)

This document describes a general consequence management planning and decision framework for government and non-government planners, emergency managers, and decision-makers in assessing risk, planning, and executing activities required to respond to and recover from a nationally significant or large-scale hazardous chemical incident in a domestic, civilian setting.

Key Planning Factors and Considerations for Response to and Recovery from a Chemical Incident, June 2022 (FEMA)

Planning for response to and recovery from a chemical incident requires additional considerations beyond all-hazards preparedness planning. This document provides planning guidance and serves as a reference for regional, state, local, tribal, and territorial (SLTT) departments and agencies that are planning for chemical incidents. The document includes strategic and operational issues for consideration when developing response and recovery plans for a chemical incident. Other stakeholders such as SLTT governments, non-governmental organizations, and the private sector will also find this document to be useful as it supports and complements their planning efforts in responding to and recovering from chemical incidents.

Emergency Response Guidebook (ERG) (DOT)

The Emergency Response Guidebook (ERG) produced by the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) and its mobile application provides first responders with a manual intended for use during the initial phase of a transportation incident involving hazardous materials/dangerous goods.

Chemical Hazards Emergency Medical Management (CHEMM) Fourth Generation Agents, June 2019 (HHS)

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.

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.