Chemical+Warfare+Agents

BY: Casandra Casillas and Stephanie Clift Chemical Warfare involves using toxic properties of chemical substances as weapons. This is distinct from nuclear warfare and Biological warfare. These are not used under the term conventional weapons. These are very destructive and effectives’ uses of warfare. Chemical warfare does not rely on an explosive force to achieve an objective. It relies on the properties of the chemical agent weaponized.  A lethal agent is designed to injure or incapacitate the enemy. It can also be used to deny unhindered use of a particular area of terrain. Chemicals in the agent are used to quickly kill vegetation and deny its use for cover and concealment. It is very dangerous in the sense that it can be used against agriculture and livestock to promote hunger and starvation.  Proper protective equipment, training, and decontamination measure the primary effects of chemical weapons can be overcome. Many nations conceal and stock many weaponized agents in preparation of wartime. These agents have become a perceived threat and a strategic tool in planning measures and counter-measures.  []  Chemical Warfare Agents can be exposed from industrial accidents, military stockpiling, war, or a terrorist attack. Chemical weapons were first introduced and used in 1915. The German military released 168 tons of chlorine gas at Ypres, Belgium which in turn killed an estimated 5,000 Allied troops. Two years later, these same battlefields saw the first deployment of sulfur mustard. Sulfur mustard was a major cause of casualties in WWI. Chemical warfare agents have been used in at least 12 conflicts since WWI. These wars include the first Persian Gulf War. Civilians have also been exposed by accident to chemical weapons many years after weapon deployment during war. 50,000 tons of mustard shells were disposed in the Baltic Sea following WWI. Numerous fishermen since then have been burned accidently while hauling leaking shells aboard boats. Leaking mustard shells have also injured collectors of military memorabilia and children playing on old battlefields. Although chemical agents have been banned there is still the production and stockpiling of chemical weapons today. Terrorist in the last decided have deployed these types of weapons against civilian populations for the first time in history. The release of sarin in Matsumoto, Japan, in June 1994 by the extremist Aum Shinrikyo cult left 7 dead and 280 injured. The following year, the Aum Shinrikyo cult released sarin vapor in the Tokyo subway system during morning rush hour, leaving 12 dead and sending more than 5,000 casualties to local hospitals.  Several characteristics of chemical weapon agents lend themselves to terrorist use. · Chemicals used in CWAs are widely available, and recipes for CWA production may be found on the Internet. · CWAs are transported easily and may be delivered by a variety of routes. · <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 10pt;">Chemical agents often are difficult to protect against and quickly incapacitate the intended targets. · <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 10pt;">Most civilian medical communities are inadequately prepared to deal with a chemical terrorist attack. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 10pt;"> <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 10pt;"> <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: 'Calibri','sans-serif';">[] <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 10pt;"> <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 10pt;">Chemical warfare agents are usually stored and transported as liquids. There are usually deployed as either liquid aerosol or vapors. Victims are exposed by skiing, eyes, and reparatory tract (inhalation). Some liquids may be harmful whether inhaled into the lungs or absorbed into the skin. The vapors can be affected by winds which even a slight breeze can blow a nerve agent vapor away from the target. Vapors are enhanced when used within an enclosed space. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 10pt;"> <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: 'Calibri','sans-serif';">[] <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 10pt;"> <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 10pt;"> <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 10pt;"> <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 10pt;"> <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;"> <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-no-proof: yes;"> Mustard has been used since WWI. Nitrogen mustard, which is a derivative of sulfur mustard, was one of the first chemotherapy agents, but has never been used warfare. These agents cause blisters that expose at surface. Both mustard and nitrogen
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 10pt;">Chemical Warfare **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 10pt;">Risk of Exposure **<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 10pt;">
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 10pt;">Physical Properties **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 10pt;">Mustard **

Mustards
=== Sulfur mustard has been used as a chemical weapon since World War I. [|Nitrogen] mustard, a derivative of sulfur mustard, was one of the first [|chemotherapy] agents but never has been used in warfare. These agents cause blistering of exposed surfaces. Both mustard agents rapidly penetrate cells and generate a highly toxic reaction that disrupts [|cell] function and causes cell death. The [|chemical reaction] is both temperature dependent and aided by the presence of water, which explains why warm, moist tissues are affected more severely. Actively reproducing cells, such as skin and blood cells, are most at risk. ===

Mustards are oily liquids. The odors consist of mustard onion, garlic, or horseradish. Mustards are highly soluble in oils, fats, and organic solvents. They penetrate skin and most materials which include rubber and most textiles. Sulfur mustard is considered a persistent agent. It has low volatility at cool temperatures, but becomes a major vapor hazard at high temperatures. Exposure to mustard vapor is a high concern. In WWI more than 80% were mustard casualties. Mustard is three times more toxic than cyanide. Skin exposure to mustard liquid can be as small as one to one and a half teaspoons to be lethal. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 10pt;"> <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 10pt;">Mustards <span style="font-family: 'Calibri','sans-serif';">[|injure] the skin, eyes, respiratory tract, GI tissues, and blood system. The pattern of toxicity depends partly on whether the person is exposed to liquid or vapor. Liquid exposure primarily damages the skin, producing an initial <span style="font-family: 'Calibri','sans-serif';">[|rash] followed by blistering similar to a partial-thickness burn. Vapor exposure damages the upper respiratory tract (skin usually is not affected). Mustards penetrate cells in less than 2 minutes, yet signs and symptoms usually are delayed 4-6 hours (the range can be from 1-24 hours). The time it takes to show symptoms is shorter with high-concentration exposures, such as those occurring at increased room temperature and humidity. · <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 10pt;">Skin: <span style="font-family: 'Calibri','sans-serif';">[|Chemical burns] caused by mustard often appear deceptively <span style="font-family: 'Calibri','sans-serif';">[|superficial] at first. Earliest symptoms are <span style="font-family: 'Calibri','sans-serif';">[|itching], burning, and stinging pain over exposed areas. Moist, thinner skin is affected more severely. Affected areas appear red and swollen. If contamination is more extensive, superficial blisters occur within 24 hours of exposure. Most burns are partial thickness, but full-thickness burns with deep blisters may result from exposure to higher concentrations. <span style="font-family: 'Calibri','sans-serif';">[|Blister] fluid does not contain active mustard and is not toxic. · <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 10pt;">Eyes: Eyes are especially sensitive to the effects of mustard. Symptoms begin 4-8 hours after exposure. Earliest symptoms include burning pain, a feeling that something is in the eye, <span style="font-family: 'Calibri','sans-serif';">[|sensitivity] to light, tearing, and blurred vision. Permanent <span style="font-family: 'Calibri','sans-serif';">[|corneal] scarring and <span style="font-family: 'Calibri','sans-serif';">[|blindness] may occur with severe exposures, but is rare. · <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 10pt;">Respiratory tract: Mustards primarily damage tissues in the upper <span style="font-family: 'Calibri','sans-serif';">[|airway] through a direct inflammatory effect. Following a period of 2-24 hours after exposure, symptoms may appear. Early symptoms include <span style="font-family: 'Calibri','sans-serif';">[|sinus] congestion, a <span style="font-family: 'Calibri','sans-serif';">[|sore throat], and <span style="font-family: 'Calibri','sans-serif';">[|hoarseness]. Later, <span style="font-family: 'Calibri','sans-serif';">[|cough], shortness of breath, and trouble breathing may develop. People with severe and extensive contact with mustard gas may develop respiratory complications up to several days after exposure. · <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: 'Calibri','sans-serif';">[|Gastrointestinal tract] : Rarely, mustard damages rapidly growing cells of the intestinal tract. GI involvement results in <span style="font-family: 'Calibri','sans-serif';">[|abdominal pain], nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and <span style="font-family: 'Calibri','sans-serif';">[|weight loss]. · <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 10pt;">Blood system: Rarely, mustards cause unpredictable loss in the production of bone narrow. Certain specialized cells begin dying 3-5 days after exposure reaching its worst point in 3-14 days, depending on the severity of exposure. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif';"> <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif';">
 * Physical Properties **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 10pt;">Signs and symptoms **<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 10pt;">