Blood agent
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2008-06-28T20:57:56Z
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/* Use of a blood agent as a weapon */
{{Chemical warfare vert}}
A '''blood agent''' or '''cyanogen agent''' is a [[chemical compound]], carried by the blood for distribution through the body. Blood agents may contain the [[cyanide|cyanide group]], which can inactivate the energy-producing cytochrome oxidase enzymes of cells in the body. The term "blood agent" is a misnomer, however, because these agents do not typically affect the blood, though they may interrupt the production of blood components, i.e. benzene. Rather, they exert their toxic effect at the [[cell (biology)|cell]]ular level, by interrupting the [[electron transport chain]] in the inner membranes of [[mitochondria]] (see ''[[cyanide]]''). Blood agents may act upon all tissues in the body once distributed by the blood.
==Use of a blood agent as a weapon==
During [[The Holocaust]], the [[Nazi|Nazis]] used a potent blood agent known as [[Zyklon B]] (hydrogen cyanide), as a replacement for [[carbon monoxide]], to systematically kill [[Jews]] and other enemies of the [[Third Reich]] in [[Nazi death camp|death camp]] [[gas chambers]]. Zyklon B was mostly used because it has a quicker and deadlier effect on the body.
==Examples of blood agents==
*[[Hydrogen Cyanide]]
*[[Cyanogen chloride]]
==See also==
* [[Cyanide]]
{{Chemical warfare}}
{{weapon-stub}}
[[Category:Chemical weapons]]
[[ja:血液剤]]