3 - Chem Weapons

Question 1

What is a chemical weapon?

Answer 1

Chemical substance which is tended for use in military operations to kill, seriously injure or incapacitate people because of its physiological effects

Question 2

Gas as a chemical warfare agent

Answer 2

Molecules dispersed widely
Substances that exists in the gaseous state under normal temp and pressure
* E.g. chlorine, phosgene (CG),** hydrogen cyanide** (AC)

Question 3

Vapour as a chemical warfare agent

Answer 3

Gaseous state of substances that would be liquid/solid under ambient conditions
Can volatilize spontaneously
* E.g. sarin (GB), mustard gas (HD), water

Question 4

Aerosol as a chemical warfare agent

Answer 4

Suspension of fine solid or liquid particles in gas - usually air
* E.g. tear gas, VX in fine droplets, biological weapon dispersions

Question 5

If a chemical weapon is soluble (hydrophillic) how does this influence it’s hazard?

Answer 5

It will be highly volatile with low persistence

Question 6

If a chemical weapon is lipophillic, how does this influence it’s hazard?

Answer 6

It will have low volatility and be highly persistent

Question 7

What are the 5 classes of chemical weapons?

Answer 7

1. Nerve agents
2. Vesicants (blister)
3. Oedemagens (choking)
4. Cyanogens (cellular respiration)
5. Incapacitants

Question 8

Nerve agents

Answer 8

Highly toxic organophosphorus esters
* range of volatility
* lipophillic

Question 9

Examples of nerve agents and their persistance (low > high)

Answer 9

Sarin (GB) > Soman (GD) > Cyclosarin (GF) >Tabun (GA) > VX