Scenario 7

Chemical Attack –

Nerve Agent

Casualties	5,700 fatalities (95% of building occupants); 300 injuries
Infrastructure Damage	Minimal, other than contamination
Evacuations/Displaced Persons	Temporary shelter in place instructions are given for 50,000 people in adjacent buildings
Contamination	Extensive
Economic Impact	$300 million
Potential for Multiple Events	Extensive
Recovery Timeline	3 to 4 months

Scenario General Description

Sarin is a human-made chemical warfare agent that is classified as a nerve agent. Nerve agents are the most toxic and rapidly acting of the known chemical warfare agents. They are similar to the pesticides called organophosphates (insect killers) in terms of how they work and what kind of harmful effects they cause. However, nerve agents are much more potent than organophosphate pesticides. Sarin is a clear, colorless, odorless, and tasteless liquid in its pure form. However, it can evaporate into a vapor and spread into the environment. Sarin is also known as GB.

In this scenario, the Universal Adversary (UA) – represented primarily by HJT, as well as EZ and FSLTE – releases sarin vapor into the ventilation systems of a large commercial office building in a metropolitan area. The agent kills 95% of the people in the building and kills or sickens many of the first responders. In addition, some of the agent exits through rooftop ventilation stacks, creating a downwind hazard.