This website stores cookies on your computer.

These cookies are used

Searchto you,
to improve your website and provide more personalized services
both on this website and through other media. To find out more about
the cookies we use, see our Privacy Policy.
Select Language ​ ▼
Accept

Contact MENU

(1.23435&67&)
8'&,0,0+31%"+

9:&)3&'*3):*3;"-)
/";;"03)<#*-3"=3/:*;,/&%
>&'= &'*3&+*0)3?(9@AB
Written by Steven Pike on 17-Apr-2019 13:00:00

Tweet Share

Like Share

Chemical warfare agents (CWAs) are highly toxic

chemicals that have been used in modern military
condicts dating back to the First World War.

In the last couple of decades however, particularly

close attention has been paid to the acute and
chronic health effects associated with exposure to
these agents.

In this blog post we deene eve of the most common

forms of CWA, their methods of dispersal, their
modes of action and their effects on the human
body.

Chemical warfare agents can be divided into several

categories depending upon their chemical structure,
their tactical purpose and the way in which they
impact on the human body.

A common misconception of a chemical weapon is

of a toxic chemical that is delivered in the form of a
bomb or artillery shell.

But under the deenitions of the Chemical Weapons

Convention (CWC) multilateral treaty, what can be
classed as a chemical weapon is actually much
broader - including all chemicals, and their
precursors that are used with the intention of
causing temporary incapacitation, permanent harm
or death.

CD32*'E*3&+*0)-

Nerve agents form part of a group of

environmentally persistent and highly toxic organo-
phosphorous (OP) compounds that block the
transmission of nerve impulses in the human
nervous system.

Their primary means of absorption are via the skin

and lungs. Nerve agents are divided into two groups
- G-series (or "German - series") agents and V-series
(or "Venomous-series") agents.

Some G-series agents (for example sarin and tabun)

persist in the environment for relatively short
periods while others (ie cyclosarin and soman) can
persist for much longer.

One of the most widely known V-agents is VX (or

Venomous Agent X) which was erst discovered at
Porton Down in the UK in the 1950s.

The low volatility of VX (ie the fact that it doesn't

readily vaporise) means it is extremely persistent.
As a chemical weapon VX is classed as a weapon of
mass destruction or WMD.

FD31%,-)*'3&+*0)-

Blister agents (also known as vesicants) are one of

the most common chemical weapon agents,
typically dispersed via liquid, vapour, aerosol or dust.

The chemical compounds in blister agents cause

severe irritation to multiple organ systems including
the eyes, skin, mucous membranes and respiratory
tract as a result of inhalation or direct contact.

Examples of blister agents include sulfur mustard

(H,HD), nitrogen mustard (HN), lewisite (L)and
phosgene oxime (CX).

Blister agents have less toxicity than nerve agents,

however they are known to cause prolonged
morbidity and degradation of health. The percentage
of deaths from exposure to blister agents is quite
small - estimated to be around 2-3%.

GD3(:"H,0+3&+*0)-

Choking agents (or pulmonary agents) are so named

due to their affect on the human respiratory tract
which can result in severe swelling or irritation of the
lining of the nose, throat and lungs.

When choking agents are inhaled, they cause air

sacs (or alveoli) in the lungs to secrete duid which
impedes the ability to breathe thereby drowning or
choking the victim.

Common examples of choking agents are chlorine

(Cl), phosgene (PS), diphosgene (DP) and
chloropicrin (CG).

ID31%""J3&+*0)-

Blood agents form part of a cyanide or arsenic-

based group of chemicals that inhibit the ability of
blood cells in the human body to use and transfer
oxygen.

They are fast-acting and highly toxic poisons that

are typically disseminated as aerosols and that take
effect through inhalation.

The symptoms of blood agent poisoning vary

depending on the concentration and duration of
exposure. At sulcient concentrations they can
quickly saturate the blood causing respiratory
failure.

Examples of blood agents include arsine (SA),

cyanogen chloride (CK) and hydrogen cyanide (AC).

KD3.,")3/"0)'"%3&+*0)-

Riot control agents (or RCAs) are chemical agents

that are dispersed via liquids or aerosols and that
indict temporary incapacitation of the eyes, mouth,
throat, skin and lungs.

Common symptoms of exposure to RCAs include the

production of tears, excessive coughing,
constriction of the airway and irritation of the skin,
eyes, nose or mouth.

While RCAs can be legitimately possessed for the

purposes of domestic law enforcement, they are
classed as chemical weapons if they are used as
methods of warfare.

RCAs are divided into three categories -

lachrymators (which cause eye irritation),
sternutators (which cause irritation of the
respiratory tract) and emetics (which cause nausea
and vomiting).

Common examples of RCAs include tear gas (CS)

and pepper spray (OC).

Topics: Chemical warfare

3&'**(4)#5)
3&'**(4)#5)!*(6(4)7'8(
!*(6(4)7'8(

First Name
Name**

Last Name

Email
Email**

Country
Country**
Please Select

Website

Comment
Comment**

protected by reCAPTCHA
Privacy - Terms

Submit Comment

!"#$%&'#()*+),-.'/)012.*($

Email

Subscribe

.*/*0) !"#$%&' (&)*+"',*-

Four ways to integrate the

Radsim GS4 into your
radiological scenarios
posted at Feb 23, 2021

INTERPOL and UN joint

initiative addresses
CBRNe threats
posted at Feb 16, 2021

What are the most

pressing challenges for
the global CBRN
community?
posted at Feb 9, 2021

Tackling the challenge of

real-time CBRN decision
making
posted at Feb 2, 2021

How radiation simulators

can aid transportation
emergency preparedness
posted at Jan 26, 2021

7+$*$)#5)9+1'%

Radiation Hazard Training (63)

CBRN Training (31)
Chemical Hazard Training (31)
Hazmat Training (25)
Simulation Training (21)

see all

:(%(4*)7+$*$

Four ways to integrate the Radsim GS4

into your radiological scenarios
INTERPOL and UN joint initiative
addresses CBRNe threats
What are the most pressing challenges
for the global CBRN community?
Tackling the challenge of real-time CBRN
decision making
How radiation simulators can aid
transportation emergency preparedness
The new technologies protecting against
CWA exposure on the battleeeld
Simulator training: preparing radiation
personnel for real-world events
How COVID-19 is reshaping the approach
to emergency response training
Are erst responders sulciently prepared
for radiological incidents?
Multi-gas simulation offers safety boost
for conened space personnel

About

Solutions
Chemical Hazard Training
Radiation Safety Training
Wide Area / Live CBRNe Training
Tabletop / Virtual CBRNe Training
SAAB Gamer CBRN Interface

Products
Chemical Simulators
Radiation Simulators
PlumeSIM
PlumeSIM-SMART
Biological Simulators
Detector Alarm Systems
Simulators for Rental
Training

Resources
Blog
Publications
Exhibitions & Conferences
News

Other Links
Radiation Safety
Contact

Contact Us

! +44 1582 491616

" argon@argonelectronics.com

# 16 Ribocon Way, Progress Park, Luton, LU4

9UR

Follow us

$%&'

Copyright 2021 Argon Electronics | Terms and

Conditions | Privacy Policy | Registered Company
Number: 07170285
Argon Electronics (UK) Ltd. is certieed to BS EN ISO
9001:2015 and BS EN ISO 14001:2015