How can someone come into contact with methyl isocyanate?
A person can come into contact with methyl isocyanate by- • Breathing in the smoke from tobacco (i.e., cigarette smoke); • Breathing in or touching it at workplaces where the chemical is produced or used; or • Breathing in low levels of it from living near facilities that manufacture, store or use the chemical. Methyl isocyanate as a weapon: Methyl isocyanate can be an “agent of opportunity.” This means that someone could explode the vehicle of transportation (truck, train) that is being used to ship the chemical, or destroy tanks that store the chemical. Methyl isocyanate would then be released into the air. Please note: Just because you come into contact with methyl isocyanate does not mean you will get sick from it. What happens if someone gets sick from methyl isocyanate? Signs of a poisoning include the following: • discomfort and burning of the skin • cough • chest pain • tightness in the chest • difficulty breathing • vomiting How likely is someone to die from methyl isocyanate
