What soman is:
  - Soman is a human-made chemical warfare agent classified as a nerve agent. Nerve agents are the most toxic and rapidly acting of the known chemical warfare agents. They are similar to insecticides called  organophosphate  insecticides in terms of how they work and what kinds of harmful effects they cause. However, nerve agents are much more potent than insecticides.
  -Soman was originally developed as an insecticide in Germany in 1944.
  -Soman is also known as “GD.”
  -Soman is a clear, colorless, tasteless liquid with a slight camphor odor (for example, Vicks Vapo-Rub®) or rotting fruit odor.

Where soman is found and how it is used:
   -Soman is not found naturally in the environment.
   -It is possible that soman or other nerve agents were used in chemical warfare during the Iran-Iraq War in the 1980s.

How people can be exposed to soman:
    -Following release of soman into the air, people can be exposed through skin contact, eye contact, or  inhalation (breathing in the soman mist).
    -Following release of soman into water, people can be exposed by drinking contaminated water or getting  contaminated water on their skin.
   -Following contamination of food with soman, people can be exposed by eating the contaminated food.
   -A person’s clothing can release soman for about 30 minutes after contact with soman vapor, which can lead to exposure of other people.
   -Soman breaks down slowly in the body, meaning that repeated exposures to soman and/or other nerve agents can have a cumulative effect (build up in the body).

How soman works:
   -The extent of poisoning caused by soman depends on the amount of soman a person was exposed to, how the person was exposed, and the length of time of the exposure.
   -Symptoms will appear within a few seconds after exposure to the vapor form of soman, and within a few minutes to up to 18 hours after exposure to the  liquid form.
   -All the nerve agents cause their toxic effects by preventing the proper operation of the chemical that acts as the body’s “off switch” for glands and muscles. Without an “off switch,” the glands and muscles are constantly being stimulated. They may tire and no longer be able to sustain breathing function.
   -Soman vapor is heavier than air, so it would be more likely to settle in low-lying areas.
   -Soman mixes easily with water, so it could be used to poison water.
   -Compared with other nerve agents, soman is more volatile than VX but less volatile than sarin. The higher a chemical’s volatility, the more likely it will evaporate from a liquid into a vapor and disperse into the environment.

People can be exposed to the vapor even if they do not come in contact with the liquid form.
   -Because of its high volatility, soman is an immediate but short-lived threat and does not last a long time in the environment.
   -Because soman is more volatile than the nerve agent VX (the most potent nerve agent), it will remain on exposed surfaces for a longer period of time compared with VX.

Immediate signs and symptoms of soman exposure:
Although soman has a camphor or fruity odor, the odor may not be noticeable enough to give people sufficient warning against a toxic exposure.

People exposed to a low or moderate dose of soman by inhalation, ingestion (swallowing), or skin absorption may experience some or all of the following symptoms within seconds to hours of exposure:
 -Runny nose                                    -Watery eyes
 -Small, pinpoint pupils                      -Eye pain
 -Blurred vision                                 -Drooling and excessive sweating
 -Cough                                           -Chest tightness
 -Rapid breathing                              -Diarrhea
 -Increased urination                         -Confusion
 -Drowsiness                                     -Weakness
 -Headache                                       -Nausea, vomiting, and/or abdominal pain
 -Slow or fast heart rate                     -Abnormally low or high blood pressure
 
  -Even a tiny drop of nerve agent on the skin can cause sweating and muscle twitching here the agent touched the skin.
  -Exposure to a large dose of soman by any route may result in these additional health effects: Loss of consciousness, Convulsions, Paralysis, Respiratory failure possibly, leading to death

What the long-term health effects are:
      Mild or moderately exposed people usually recover completely. Some studies in animals and people suggest that severe nerve agent poisoning can cause long-term central nervous system effects, such as changes in brain activity. However, it is unclear what such changes may mean, if anything, regarding the function and long-term health status of a person who has been mildly or moderately exposed to soman.

How people can protect themselves and what they should do if they are exposed to soman:
     Recovery from soman exposure is possible with treatment, but the antidotes available must be used quickly to be effective. Therefore, the best thing to do is avoid exposure. If exposure cannot be avoided, rapidly decontaminate and get medical care as quickly as possible.

     Leave the area where the soman was released and get to fresh air. Quickly moving to an area where fresh air is available is highly effective in reducing the possibility of death from exposure to soman vapor.

     If the soman release was outdoors, move away from the area where the soman was released. Go to the highest ground possible, because soman is heavier than air and will sink to low-lying areas.

     If the soman release was indoors, get out of the building.

     Remove any clothing that has liquid soman on it, and if possible, seal the clothing in a plastic bag. Then seal the first plastic bag in a second plastic bag. Removing and sealing the clothing in this way will protect you and others from any chemicals that might be on your clothes.

     If helping other people remove their clothing, try to avoid touching any contaminated areas, and remove the clothing as quickly as possible.

     Rinse the eyes with plain water for 10 to 15 minutes if they are burning or vision is blurred.

     As quickly as possible, wash any liquid soman from the skin with large amounts of soap and water. Washing with soap and water will protect people from any chemicals on their bodies.

     If soman has been ingested (swallowed), do not induce vomiting or give fluids to drink. Seek medical attention right away.

     Stay calm. Dial 911 and explain what has happened.

     Wait for emergency personnel to arrive.

How soman poisoning is treated:
Soman poisoning is treated with antidotes and supportive medical care. The most important thing is for victims to be rapidly decontaminated and get medical treatment as soon as possible.

People can contact one of the following:
Regional poison control center (1-800-222-1222)
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Public Response Hotline (CDC)
English (888) 246-2675
Español (888) 246-2857
TTY (866) 874-2646
Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) (1-888-422-8737)



                All information obtained from the CDC (Center for Disease Control and Prevention)