SOMAN (GD)
- colorless, tasteless liquid with a slight camphor or rotting fruit odor
- hazardous upon inhalation, ingestion (mixes easily with water) and skin contact
- as compared to other nerve agents, soman is more volatile than VX and less than sarin
- symptoms appear within seconds with vapor exposure and up to 18 hours after liquid exposure
- symptoms of vapor exposure include: lacrimation, blurred vision, pinpoint pupils, excessive sweating, cough, chest tightness, rapid breathing, increased urintation, diarrhea, confusion, weakness, vomitting, and at high levels paralysis and respiratory failure may occur
- Early treatment with bispyridinium dioxime may be useful in addition to diazepam administration to control convulsions.