http://gurlpages.com/bluestocking/health.html

The gas used on Wednesday, December 1 in the Pike Place Market area and Capitol Hill may have contained some type of neurotoxic elements (nerve gas).

links to more information about the gas

an article by Dr. Kirk Murphy, M.D.

how nerve gas works -- the best explanation I have seen yet

symptoms to watch for

nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, muscle aches, muscle spasms, excessive salivation, confusion, disorientation, lack of concentration (among others -- these are what I remember, but I am working on getting a better account).

contact

• Kirk Murphy, M.D. (kmurphy@ucla.edu) is working on figuring out what type of gas was used on us.
  
• D'Jennifer is on the Direct Action Network medical team, and she is a contact for more information about this. Her phone number is (206) 850-5523.
  
• Some local acupunturists are offering acupuncture for no charge or pay as you can. According to their flyer, "We will be honored to treat protesters with any symptoms or complaints (such as stress, muscle aches, anxiety, low immunity etc., in addition to headache, nausea, congestion, disorientation, eye pain & other possible reactions to gas exposure)." For Capitol Hill Neighborhood Acupuncture, call Lesli or Chris at (206) 323-3277 (press 2 if voice mail). Or, call Brenda (who is in the Greenwood area) at (206) 528-8498.
  
• Front Line Therapy is offering free counseling to anyone experience post-traumatic stress. Call Lorraine at (206) 361-0166, or reach other via pager at (206) 540-1680.
  
• Harboview Medical Center has a trauma unit that offers free counseling as well. Contact Harborview Trauma at (206) 521-1800.
  
• Victoria Thurman is a Massage Therapist and Reiki Practitioner, and she has offered healing to WTO protesters. Contact Viki at punkrock@speakeasy.org. She is not asking for money.

tips for detoxifying

Per the abovementioned acupuncturists:

• For two weeks, as much as possible, abstain from tobacco, coffee, alcohol, fried and processed foods.
• Drink lots & lots of filtered water. (D'Jennifer recommends 2 liters per day.)
• Take daily hot baths with 2 cups of baking soda or epsom salts. Or take a sauna, or hot tub. You want your whole body to sweat, but only for 5 - 10 minutes. (Per D'Jennifer, those exposed to the potentially toxic gas should detox in a less dramatic way than sweating, or it won't work.)
• Sprinkle a couple of tablespoons of milk thistle on your food daily.
• Eat root vegetables: rutabega, turnip, beets & carrots -- their juices too. Also artichokes.
• Wear something green and sing to your liver.
• Always spit out any phlegm you cough up. (Don't swallow it!)

Other tips from D'jennifer of the Direct Action Network:

• Other foods and herbs to help your system:
  • tumeric
  • grapefruit
  • nettle tea
  • anything with potassium (bananas, dandelion leaves)
  • burdock
  • cranberry juice
• Go vegan for a while (if you aren't already). Dairy products create more mucus in your system.
• Wash all of your clothes and anything else that was exposed to the gas very thoroughly. Unfortunately, it is best to use harsh detergents on all of these things to ensure that you wash all of the chemicals out. This is very important! If you do not wash your clothing, you will continue to be exposed to these potentially neurotoxic chemicals.
• Take a hot shower to open up your pores, and then rub yourself with epsom salts. Let it stand on your skin for 10 to 15 minutes, and the salt will help to draw out the toxins in your system.