What are nerve agents?
The principal nerve agents are sarin (GB), soman (GD), tabun (GA), and VX. They are manmade compounds that have been manufactured for use in chemical warfare. These agents are known to be present in military stockpiles of several nations, including the United States. Nerve agents are organophosphorus compounds that are similar in mechanism of action to some pesticides (i.e., organophosphate and carbamate insecticides). Some of the chemical/physical properties of nerve agents include: • Nerve agents are liquids at room temperature; VX has an oily consistency. • Nerve agents are very soluble or miscible in water, and soluble in most organic solvents. • Sarin evaporates from surfaces nearly as fast as water, but the other nerve agents take longer to evaporate. VX evaporates most slowly, at a rate similar to that of motor oil. • The vapor density of nerve agents is at least several-fold greater than air, with VX having the highest vapor density of these agents (about 9-fold greater than ai
