By Monique and Jordyn

Chemical Warfare- Warfare (and associated military operations) using the toxic properties of chemical substances to kill, injure or incapacitate an enemy. Chemical Warfare- Warfare (and associated military operations) using the toxic properties of chemical substances to kill, injure or incapacitate an enemy.

CHEMICAL WEAPONS How Chemical Weapons Work-Chemical agents may be released as tiny droplets, similar to the action of a bug bomb used to release insecticide. For a chemical weapon to cause harm, it must come in contact with the skin or mucous membranes, be inhaled, or be ingested. The activity of the chemical agent depends on its concentration. In other words, below a certain level of exposure, the agent won't kill. Below a certain level of exposure, the agent won't cause harm. How Chemical Weapons Work-Chemical agents may be released as tiny droplets, similar to the action of a bug bomb used to release insecticide. For a chemical weapon to cause harm, it must come in contact with the skin or mucous membranes, be inhaled, or be ingested. The activity of the chemical agent depends on its concentration. In other words, below a certain level of exposure, the agent won't kill. Below a certain level of exposure, the agent won't cause harm.

HISTORY Chemical warfare has been used for millennia. Chemical warfare has been used for millennia. It began with poisoned arrows derived from scorpion or snake venom, and some plants. It began with poisoned arrows derived from scorpion or snake venom, and some plants. From the 4 th century BC, writings have been found describing the use of poisonous smoke from burning balls of mustard. From the 4 th century BC, writings have been found describing the use of poisonous smoke from burning balls of mustard.

HISTORY In World War I, tear and mustard gas were used as chemical weapon agents. 85,000 fatalities were directly caused by this. In World War I, tear and mustard gas were used as chemical weapon agents. 85,000 fatalities were directly caused by this. In World War II, a type of insecticide was used to kill several million people in extermination camps. In World War II, a type of insecticide was used to kill several million people in extermination camps.

TYPES OF CHEMICAL WARFARE Blood agents Blood agents Blister agents Blister agents Nerve agents Nerve agents Pulmonary agents Pulmonary agents Incapacitating agents Incapacitating agents Riot Control Agents Riot Control Agents Psychotomimetic agents Psychotomimetic agents

CLASSIFICATION Schedule 1- Have few legitimate uses. Schedule 1- Have few legitimate uses. Schedule 2- Used in small- scale. Schedule 2- Used in small- scale. Schedule 3- Large- scale industrial uses. Schedule 3- Large- scale industrial uses.

HYDROGEN CYANIDE Blood agent Blood agent Colorless gas or pale blue highly volatile liquid Colorless gas or pale blue highly volatile liquid Prevents cellular respiration Prevents cellular respiration

SYMPTOMS OF HYDROGEN CYANIDE If inhaled, it produces vomiting, convulsions, respiratory failure and unconsciousness. If it is a very high concentration, there will be no symptoms and a person may collapse suddenly and die. If inhaled, it produces vomiting, convulsions, respiratory failure and unconsciousness. If it is a very high concentration, there will be no symptoms and a person may collapse suddenly and die.

ANTIDOTE TO HYDROGEN CYANIDE It is treated by speeding up the body's own ability to excrete cyanide and to bind cyanide in the blood. By supplying sulphur in the form of sodium thiosulphate (Na2S2O3) this detoxification can take place. It is treated by speeding up the body's own ability to excrete cyanide and to bind cyanide in the blood. By supplying sulphur in the form of sodium thiosulphate (Na2S2O3) this detoxification can take place.

SULFUR MUSTARD GAS Blister agent Blister agent Odorless, colorless and causes large blisters to form on exposed skin Odorless, colorless and causes large blisters to form on exposed skin No immediate symptoms; it takes 4 to 24 hours to develop. No immediate symptoms; it takes 4 to 24 hours to develop. Exposure of over 50% of body surface area is usually fatal. Exposure of over 50% of body surface area is usually fatal.

APPEARANCE OF MUSTARD AGENT

SYMPTOMS OF BLISTER AGENT Mustard affects the skin, eyes, lungs, gastro-intestinal tract, and also internal organs may be injured. Mustard affects the skin, eyes, lungs, gastro-intestinal tract, and also internal organs may be injured. Severe skin damage occurs. Severe skin damage occurs. Due to damage to the lungs, “chemical pneumonia” sometimes takes place. Due to damage to the lungs, “chemical pneumonia” sometimes takes place.

ANTIDOTES TO BLISTER AGENTS There is no antidote for the cause of injury. One may only treat the symptoms. There is no antidote for the cause of injury. One may only treat the symptoms. Victim must be decontaminated by removal of clothing, shaving hair, and rinsing eyes. Next, one must prevent infection with antibiotics. Pain killers and perhaps plastic surgery are used. Victim must be decontaminated by removal of clothing, shaving hair, and rinsing eyes. Next, one must prevent infection with antibiotics. Pain killers and perhaps plastic surgery are used.

TABUN Nerve agent; interferes with normal functioning of nervous system Nerve agent; interferes with normal functioning of nervous system One of the world’s most dangerous military weapons One of the world’s most dangerous military weapons If inhaled a lethal amount, it is fatal within 10 minutes. If absorbed, within 1-2 hours. If inhaled a lethal amount, it is fatal within 10 minutes. If absorbed, within 1-2 hours.

SYMPTOMS OF NERVE AGENT When exposed to a small amount of nerve agent, characteristic symptoms are increased production of saliva, a running nose and a feeling of pressure on the chest. Also, short- range vision deteriorates and headaches, hallucinations, and nausea occur. When exposed to a small amount of nerve agent, characteristic symptoms are increased production of saliva, a running nose and a feeling of pressure on the chest. Also, short- range vision deteriorates and headaches, hallucinations, and nausea occur. When exposed to higher amounts, the victim may have trouble breathing, and develop cramps and vomiting. Also, one might experience convulsions, involuntary discharge of urine, and saliva. When exposed to higher amounts, the victim may have trouble breathing, and develop cramps and vomiting. Also, one might experience convulsions, involuntary discharge of urine, and saliva.

ANTIDOTE FOR NERVE AGENTS Must be treated immediately Must be treated immediately Auto-injectors containing antidotes to nerve agents are used in many countries Auto-injectors containing antidotes to nerve agents are used in many countries It is easy enough that one may inject oneself It is easy enough that one may inject oneself

AGENT 15 Incapacitating agent Incapacitating agent Causes stupor and confusion Causes stupor and confusion Creates illusions and hallucinations Creates illusions and hallucinations

PEPPER SPRAY Riot control agent Riot control agent Irritates the eyes to cause tears, pain, and even temporary blindness Irritates the eyes to cause tears, pain, and even temporary blindness Used for riot control and self-defense Used for riot control and self-defense

PROTECTIVE MEASURES The best protective measure you can take against chemical weapons is to become educated about them. Most of us don't have gas masks or atropine (an injectible used in cases of nerve agent exposure) and won't be on a battlefield, so the recommendations presented here are intended for the general public. The best protective measure you can take against chemical weapons is to become educated about them. Most of us don't have gas masks or atropine (an injectible used in cases of nerve agent exposure) and won't be on a battlefield, so the recommendations presented here are intended for the general public.

Don't Panic-Yes, chemical weapons are more likely to be used in a terrorist scenario than nuclear or biological weapons. However, there are several steps you can take to minimize exposure and protect yourself in the event you encounter a chemical agent. Realistically speaking, you are more likely to witness an accidental chemical spill than a chemical attack. Your best defense is to face the situation with a level head. Don't Panic-Yes, chemical weapons are more likely to be used in a terrorist scenario than nuclear or biological weapons. However, there are several steps you can take to minimize exposure and protect yourself in the event you encounter a chemical agent. Realistically speaking, you are more likely to witness an accidental chemical spill than a chemical attack. Your best defense is to face the situation with a level head.

Seek High Ground- Chemical agents are more dense than air. They sink to low-lying areas and will follow wind/weather patterns. Seek the highest storey of a building or the top of a natural land formation. Seek High Ground- Chemical agents are more dense than air. They sink to low-lying areas and will follow wind/weather patterns. Seek the highest storey of a building or the top of a natural land formation.

Seek Open Spaces or Seek a Self- Contained Air Supply-From the point of view of a terrorist, a heavily populated area is a more attractive target than a sparsely populated region. Therefore, the threat of a chemical attack is lessened in rural areas. In the event of an attack, there is some sense in isolating your air supply. Most chemical agents disperse after a certain amount of time (a notable exception is VX, which is designed to persist), so refraining from contacting exposed air may be a good protective measure. Seek Open Spaces or Seek a Self- Contained Air Supply-From the point of view of a terrorist, a heavily populated area is a more attractive target than a sparsely populated region. Therefore, the threat of a chemical attack is lessened in rural areas. In the event of an attack, there is some sense in isolating your air supply. Most chemical agents disperse after a certain amount of time (a notable exception is VX, which is designed to persist), so refraining from contacting exposed air may be a good protective measure.

Use Your Senses-How do you know if you have been exposed to a chemical agent? You may not be able to see or smell one. In their pure forms, most chemical weapon agents are clear liquids. Impure chemicals may be yellowish liquids. Most are odorless and tasteless, but some have a slightly sweet or fruity smell. Skin irritation, respiratory distress, and gastrointestinal upset all may signal exposure to a chemical agent. However, if you don't die within minutes, you probably won't die at all. Therefore, if you believe you have been exposed to a chemical agent, wait until you feel sure before seeking out medical attention (but do seek it out). Use Your Senses-How do you know if you have been exposed to a chemical agent? You may not be able to see or smell one. In their pure forms, most chemical weapon agents are clear liquids. Impure chemicals may be yellowish liquids. Most are odorless and tasteless, but some have a slightly sweet or fruity smell. Skin irritation, respiratory distress, and gastrointestinal upset all may signal exposure to a chemical agent. However, if you don't die within minutes, you probably won't die at all. Therefore, if you believe you have been exposed to a chemical agent, wait until you feel sure before seeking out medical attention (but do seek it out).

Use Common Sense-Have a radio (with batteries) and keep up with the news. Pay attention to civil defense advisories and think before acting. Use Common Sense-Have a radio (with batteries) and keep up with the news. Pay attention to civil defense advisories and think before acting.