Blood agent 1095283 222343152 2008-06-28T20:57:56Z 200.66.187.218 /* 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]]