CHEMICAL WARFARE KEN JORDAN ‘02

WHAT IS IT?? Chemical Warfare is the use of chemical compounds to kill or injure an enemy

THERE ARE 3 MAIN CHEMICAL AGENTS USED  Surface Agents  Nerve Agents  Herbicides

SOME SURFACE AGENTS Phosgene GasChoking Agent--Causes Lungs to fill with Water Chlorine GasDestroys Cells that Line Respiratory Tract Mustard GasCauses Blisters on all surfaces, leads to respiratory failure Hydrogen CyanidePrevents Oxygen from Reaching Blood, Almond Scent

Surface Agents are spread through the air and are transmitted through inhalation

SOME NERVE AGENTS All four of these agents disrupt the actions of a neurotransmitter called acetylcholine Sarin Soman Tabun VX

Nerve Agents are designed to attack through both inhalation and absorption

“VX” The deadliest of all nerve agents, VX will kill you in less than a minute unless its antidote, atropine, is administered directly into the heart.

HERBICIDES Agent Orange… -Used in Vietnam to clear away jungle canopy in order to better expose enemy troops -A true chemical weapon? Although not targeted at troops, it did leave lasting effects on some

HISTORY  Chemical weapons were first used in significant amounts in World War I.  German troops released Chlorine Gas on unsuspecting French soldiers, choking them and causing panic.  The Germans also used Phosgene Gas and introduced Mustard Gas into war in  By 1918, all major world powers had employed chemical weapons.

EFFECTS In 1925, following World War I, the Geneva Protocol was issued, outlawing all use of chemical and bacterial agents in warfare. The United States did not agree to this until 1975!

MODERN USE OF CHEMICAL WEAPONS Italy uses chemical weapons against Ethiopia in 1930s. Egypt uses chemical weapons against Yemen in 1960s. Iraq uses chemical weapons against Iran in 1980s-1990s. Japanese cult releases Sarin gas into subway, killing 12, injuring 5500.

HOW DO THEY AFFECT US TODAY? With the recent events of September 11 th, the US has stepped up chemical research. If chemical warfare ensues, our water supplies, livestock, and breathable air would be targeted. Paranoia, propaganda

CHEMICAL STRUCTURES VX

CHEMICAL VS. BIOLOGICAL… WHICH POSES A GREATER THREAT?

THREAT OF BIOLOGICAL WAR Biological weapons can be much more dangerous in war Biological weapons can be much more dangerous in war Ability to spread Ability to spread Lack of control Lack of control Debilitating or lethal effects Debilitating or lethal effects

IN CONCLUSION… Terrorists are not as likely to use chemical weapons as they are biological Terrorists are not as likely to use chemical weapons as they are biological Chemical weapons must target a particular spot to be effective Chemical weapons must target a particular spot to be effective Agent Orange shows us that lasting effects can occur Agent Orange shows us that lasting effects can occur Plants, livestock, and people can be affected Plants, livestock, and people can be affected