What is a chemical weapon?
Chemical warfare agents are poisonous vapors, aerosols, liquids or solids that have toxic effects on people, animals or plants. They can be released by bombs, sprayed from aircraft, boats or vehicles or used as a liquid to create a hazard to people and the environment. Some chemical agents may be odorless and tasteless. They can have an immediate effect (a few seconds to a fewminutes) or a delayed effect (several hours to several days). While potentially lethal, chemical agents are difficult to deliver in lethal concentrations. Outdoors, the agents often dissipate rapidly. Chemical agents also are difficult to produce.Six types of agents exist: Lung-damaging (pulmonary) agents, such as phosgene, cyanide and vesicants/blister agents. Nerve agents, such as GA (tabun), GB (sarin), GD (soman), GF (cyclosarin) and VX (Oethyl S-[2-diisopropylaminoethyl] methylphosphonothioate). Incapacitating agents, such as BZ (3-quinuclidinyle benzilate). Riot-control agents (sometimes referred to as tear
Related Questions
- What is terrorism?§ What is the difference between a chemical and biological weapon?§ What do terrorists target?§ How should the public prepare to deal with a terrorist incident?§ What should I do if I receive a bomb threat or if there is a building explosion?
- Do you believe terriorists prefer chemical weapon or biological weapon?
- How Do You Survive A Chemical Weapon Attack?
