TABUN

Colorless to brown liquid with a faint fruity odor. Used as a chemical warfare agent.

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Hydrolysis forms hydrogen cyanide.

Extremely poisonous. (Non-Specific -- Poison A, Liquid) Keep away from sparks, flames, and sources of ignition. Keep out of water sources and sewers. Hydrolysis forms hydrogen cyanide. When heated to decomposition, it emits very toxic fumes of oxides of phosphorus and nitrogen. Avoid water and acids. Can react with oxidizing materials. (EPA, 1998)

This material is toxic by inhalation and by absorption through skin and eyes. The lethal dose for humans may be as low as 0.01 mg/kg. Tabun is a nerve agent; it acts as a cholinesterase inhibitor. The median lethal dosage (respiratory) is 400 mg-minute/m3 for humans; the median incapacitating dosage is 300 mg-minute/m3. Respiratory lethal dosages kill in 1 to 10 minutes; liquid in the eye kills nearly as rapidly. Skin absorption great enough to cause death may occur in 1 to 2 minutes, but may be delayed for 1 to 2 hours. (EPA, 1998)

When heated to decomposition, TABUN emits very toxic fumes of oxides of phosphorus and nitrogen. Avoid water and acids. Can react with oxidizing materials. [EPA, 1998].

• Amines, Phosphines, and Pyridines
• Nitriles
• Sulfonates, Phosphonates, and Thiophosphonates, Organic

Use caution: Liquids with this reactive group classification have been known to react with the absorbent listed below.

• Mineral-Based & Clay-Based Absorbents

Excerpt from 153 [Substances - Toxic and/or Corrosive (Combustible)]:

IMMEDIATE PRECAUTIONARY MEASURE: Isolate spill or leak area in all directions for at least 50 meters (150 feet) for liquids and at least 25 meters (75 feet) for solids.

SPILL: If this material is being used as a weapon, see ERG Table 1 - Initial Isolation and Protective Action Distances on the 153 datasheet for unassigned UN/NA numbers . Otherwise increase the immediate precautionary measure distance, in the downwind direction, as necessary.

FIRE: If tank, rail car or tank truck is involved in a fire, ISOLATE for 800 meters (1/2 mile) in all directions; also, consider initial evacuation for 800 meters (1/2 mile) in all directions. (ERG, 2020)

Complete protection required; have available decontaminants (bleach, alkali) and atropine. Bleaching powder (chlorinated line) destroys Tabun but gives rise to cyanogen chloride.

(Non-Specific -- Poison A, Liquid) Extinguish with alcohol foam, carbon dioxide, or dry chemical. (EPA, 1998)

(Non-Specific -- Poison A, Liquid) When handling, avoid breathing vapors, keep upwind, avoid bodily contact with the material, and upon skin contact wash with soap and water. Speed in removing material from skin is of extreme importance. Remove and isolate contaminated clothing and shoes. (EPA, 1998)

For emergency situations, wear a positive pressure, pressure-demand, full facepiece self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) or pressure- demand supplied air respirator with escape SCBA and a fully-encapsulating, chemical resistant suit. (EPA, 1998)

Normalized Breakthrough Times (in Minutes)

Chemical	CAS Number	State	QS	QC	SL	C3	TF	TP	RC	TK	RF
Tabun (GA), FINABEL 0.7.C	77-81-6	Liquid					>1400⁸	>1400⁸
Tabun (GA), MIL-STD-282 (10 g/m2)	77-81-6	Liquid							>480⁸	>480⁸	>480⁸
Tabun (GA), MIL-STD-282 (100 g/m2)	77-81-6	Liquid					>480⁸	>480⁸		>480⁸

Special Warning from DuPont: Tychem® and Tyvek® fabrics should not be used around heat, flames, sparks or in potentially flammable or explosive environments. Only...

(DuPont, 2023)

Warning: Highly toxic when inhaled or absorbed through the skin or the eyes. Potent cholinesterase inhibitor. Effects may be delayed. Caution is advised.

Signs and Symptoms of Tabun Exposure: Acute exposure to tabun may include headache, dizziness, muscle spasms, twitching, weakness, agitation, confusion, delirium, seizures, CNS depression, and coma. Miosis (contraction of the pupil), blurred vision, lacrimation, tachycardia (rapid heart beat) or bradycardia (slow heart beat), hypertension or hypotension, and chest pain also are common. Respiratory effects include bronchospasm, bronchial secretions, dyspnea (difficult or labored breathing), rales (abnormal respiratory sound), respiratory depression and respiratory paralysis. Gastrointestinal effects include salivation, vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal pain.

Emergency Life-Support Procedures: Acute exposure to tabun may require decontamination and life support for the victims. Emergency personnel should wear protective clothing appropriate to the type and degree of contamination. Air-purifying or supplied-air respiratory equipment should also be worn, as necessary. Rescue vehicles should carry supplies such as plastic sheeting and disposable plastic bags to assist in preventing spread of contamination.

Inhalation Exposure:
1. Move victims to fresh air. Emergency personnel should avoid self-exposure to tabun.
2. Evaluate vital signs including pulse and respiratory rate, and note any trauma. If no pulse is detected, provide CPR. If not breathing, provide artificial respiration. If breathing is labored, administer 100% humidified oxygen or other respiratory support.
3. Obtain authorization and/or further instructions from the local hospital for administration of an antidote or performance of other invasive procedures.
4. Rush to a health care facility.

Dermal/Eye Exposure:
1. Remove victims from exposure. Emergency personnel should avoid self-exposure to tabun.
2. Evaluate vital signs including pulse and respiratory rate, and note any trauma. If no pulse is detected, provide CPR. If not breathing, provide artificial respiration. If breathing is labored, administer 100% humidified oxygen or other respiratory support.
3. Remove contaminated clothing and shoes as soon as possible. Speed in removing material from skin is of extreme importance.
4. If eye exposure has occurred, eyes must be flushed with lukewarm water for at least 15 minutes.
5. Wash exposed skin areas thoroughly with soap and water. Speed in removing material from skin is of extreme importance.
6. Obtain authorization and/or further instructions from the local hospital for administration of an antidote or performance of other invasive procedures.
7. Rush to a health care facility.

Ingestion Exposure:
1. Evaluate vital signs including pulse and respiratory rate, and note any trauma. If no pulse is detected, provide CPR. If not breathing, provide artificial respiration. If breathing is labored, administer 100% humidified oxygen or other respiratory support.
2. Obtain authorization and/or further instructions from the local hospital for administration of an antidote or performance of other invasive procedures.
3. DO NOT induce vomiting.
4. Activated charcoal may be administered if victims are conscious and alert. Use 15 to 30 g (1/2 to 1 oz) for children, 50 to 100 g (1-3/4 to 3-1/2 oz) for adults, with 125 to 250 mL (1/2 to 1 cup) of water.
5. Promote excretion by administering a saline cathartic or sorbitol to conscious and alert victims. Children require 15 to 30 g (1/2 to 1 oz) of cathartic; 50 to 100 g (1-3/4 to 3-1/2 oz) is recommended for adults.
6. Rush to a health care facility. (EPA, 1998)

• DIMETHYLAMIDOETHOXYPHOSPHORYL CYANIDE
• DIMETHYLPHOSPHORAMIDOCYANIDIC ACID, ETHYL ESTER
• ETHYL DIMETHYLAMIDOCYANO- PHOSPHATE
• ETHYL DIMETHYLAMIDOCYANOPHOSPHATE
• ETHYL DIMETHYLPHOSPHORAMIDOCYANIDATE
• ETHYL N,N-DIMETHYLAMINO CYANOPHOSPHATE
• ETHYL N,N-DIMETHYLPHOSPHORAMIDOCYANIDATE
• GA (CHEMICAL WARFARE AGENT)
• LE-100
• MCE
• PHOSPHORAMIDO- CYANIDIC ACID, DIMETHYL-, ETHYL ESTER
• T-2104
• TABUN
• TL 1578