Types of Chemical Warfare Agents
Characteristics and Effects of Chemical Warfare Agents
| Description | Toxic Effects | |
| Nerve Agents |
Tabun GA |
Vegetative Nervous System: constriction of pupils (miosis), headache, runny nose, hypersalivation, vomiting, abdominal cramps, bronchospasm, diarrhea Peripheral Nervous System: twitching of muscle groups, respiratory paralysis Central Nervous System: convulsion, severe breathing difficulty or respiratory failure |
| Sarin GB |
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| Soman GD |
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| VX VX |
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| Blister Agents (Vesicants) |
S-Mustard HD |
Damaging Effects to
Skin: Mustard: Latent period 6 - 8 hrs., then redness, itchiness, pearl-like blisters, necrotic lesions, secondary infections Lewisite: no latent period, itchiness, blisters, lung edema, eyes/respiratory damage, systematic long-term damage |
| N-Mustard HN1-3 |
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| Lewisite L |
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| Choking Agents |
Phosgene CG |
Toxic Pulmonary edema: Latent period (6 - 8 hrs.), free of symptoms, then coughing, breathlessness, unrest, chest pain, choking, high concentration immediately deadly |
| Chloropicrin PS |
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| Blood Agents |
Hydrogen Cyanide AC |
Cyanide is thought to act by combining with the enzyme cytochrome oxidase. Impairment of cellular oxigen use. Dizziness, increasingly dyspmeic, healthy skin colour, headache, cramps, respiratory standstill |
| Cyanogen Chloride CK |
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| Psychedelic Agent |
BZ BZ |
wide pupils, dry mouth, angst, dizziness, hallucination, worst case unconciousness |