Awareness incapacitates, though they operate more through excited state (e.g., muscle contraction). The eventual interactions outside the central nervous system. exhaustion of muscles leads to respiratory failure and death. Chemical Weapon A separate class of nerve agents is related to Tetrodotoxin, frequently abbreviated as TTX, which is a potent 3- Lethal agents neurotoxin with unknown antidote. Tetrodotoxin blocks action potentials in nerves by binding to the voltage-gated, minutes after removal. Casualty effects are not anticipated These substances are for producing chemical casualties fast sodium channels in nerve cell membranes, essentially to exceed 24-hours nor require medical attention. They without regard to long-term consequences or loss of life. preventing any affected nerve cells from firing by blocking include: They cause injuries that require medical treatment. the channels used in the process. a- Tear agents: These sensory irritants produce immediate pain to the a- Blister agents: a- G series: these are low volatility nerve agents that are eyes and irritate mucous membranes (also known as A blister agent is a chemical compound that irritates and typically used from a non-persistent to semi-persistent lachrymatory agent or lachrymator). causes injury to the skin. These substances also attack effect. Dr. Alice Gerges Geagea the eyes, or any other tissue they contact. • Tabun (GA) Director of Health Education b- Vomiting agents: • Vesicants: the vesicants are substances that produce • Sarin (GB) Lebanese Health Society These sensory irritants are also termed sternators or large fluid-filled blisters on the skin: • Soman (GD) nose irritants. They irritate the mucous membranes to • Nitrogen mustards • Cyclosarin (GF) produce congestion, coughing, sneezing and eventually • Sulfur mustards A Chemical Weapon Agent (CWA) is a device that nausea. • Arsenicals b- GV series: these agents have volatility between the V uses chemicals to inflict death or harm. It is a chemical • Urticants: the urticants are substances that produce a and G agents and are typically used for a semi-persistent substance whose toxic properties are used to kill, injure c- Mal-odorants: painful wheal on the skin. These are sometimes termed to persistent effect. or incapacitate. About 73 different chemicals have been These are compounds with a very strong and unpleasant as skin necrotizing and are known as the most painful • Novichok agents used or stockpiled as chemical weapon agents up till smell, which produce powerfully aversive effects substances produced. • GV (nerve agent) now. These agents may be classified as weapons of mass without the toxic effects of tear agents or vomiting destruction though are separate from biological weapons agents. Some military forces such as those of Israel and 4- Blood agents c- V series: these agents have low volatility and are typically (diseases), nuclear and radiological weapons (which use USA have developed mal-odorant weapons in the belief used for a persistent effect or liquid contact hazard. radioactive decay of elements). Chemical weapons can be that they fall outside the accepted definition of Riot These substances are metabolic poisons that interfere with • VE widely dispersed in gas, liquid and solid forms and may Control Agents, and therefore represent a loophole in the life-sustaining processes of the blood: • VG easily afflict others than the intended targets. Nerve gas the Chemical Weapons Convention. a- Cyanogen chloride (CK) • VM and tear gas are two modern examples. b- Hydrogen cyanide (AC) • VX In general, chemical weapon agents are organized into 2- Incapacitating agents c- Arsine (SA) several categories according to the physiological manner in d- T series: these agents are related to the puffer fish which they affect the human body. The names and number Tetrodotoxin These are substances that produce debilitating effects with of categories vary slightly from source to source, but in 5- Choking agents • Saxitoxin (TZ) limited probability of permanent injury or loss of life. The general, types of chemical warfare agents are as follows: casualty effects typically last over 24 hours, and though These substances are sometimes referred to as pulmonary medical evacuation and isolation are recommended, it is agent or lung irritants and cause injury to the lung-blood Chemical Weapon and the International Law 1- Harassing agents not required for complete recovery. These, together with barrier resulting in Asphyxia. harassing agents, are sometimes called non-lethal agents. International law is the field of law governing the conduct These are substances that are not intended to kill or injure. There may be as high as 5% fatalities with the use of these of independent nations in their relationships with one They are often referred to as Riot Control Agents (RCAs) agents. 6- Nerve agents another. International treaties are generally regarded as and may be used by civilian police forces against criminals binding (for instance the Supremacy Clause of the United and rioters, or in the military for training purposes. These a- Psychological agents: Nerve agents are substances that disrupt the chemical States Constitution says that treaties are “the supreme law agents also have tactical utility to force combatants out These are substances that produce casualty effects communications through the nervous system. One of the land; and the judges in every state shall be bound of concealed or covered positions for conventional through mental disturbances such as delirium or mechanism of disruption is caused by blocking the acetyl thereby, anything in the constitution or laws of any state to engagement, and preventing combatants from occupying hallucination. cholinesterase, an enzyme that normally destroys and the contrary notwithstanding.”). Treaties like the Geneva contaminated terrain or operating weapons. In general, stops the activity of acetylcholine, a neurotransmitter. Conventions require nations’ assent to the terms, which harassing agents are sensory irritants that have fleeting b- Other incapacitating agents: Poisoning by these nerve agents leads to an accumulation often require acts of tribunal such as the European Court concentration-dependent effects that resolve within These substances have also been investigated as of acetylcholine at the nerve axon, producing a perpetual of Human Rights or the International Criminal Court. 10 | HUMAN & HEALTH | N°25 - October 2013 HUMAN & HEALTH | N°25 - October 2013 | 11.