List of chemical warfare agents 3382503 207408560 2008-04-22T17:58:52Z WLU 2118749 redirect {{chemical warfare vert}} A ''[[chemical weapon agent]] (CWA)'' is a [[chemical substance]] whose [[toxin|toxic]] [[chemical property|properties]] are used to kill, injure or incapacitate. About 70 different chemicals have been used or stockpiled as chemical weapon agents during the 20th century. These agents may be in liquid, gas or solid form. In general, chemical weapon agents are organized into several categories according to the manner in which they affect the human body. The names and number of categories varies slightly from source to source, but in general, types of chemical warfare agents are as follows: == Nerve agents == {{main|Nerve agent}} Nerve agents are chemicals that disrupt the mechanism by which nerves transfer messages to organs. The disruption is caused by blocking the [[acetylcholinesterase]], an [[enzyme]] that normally destroys and stops the activity of [[acetylcholine]], a [[neurotransmitter]]. Poisoning by a nerve agent leads to contraction of pupils, profuse salivation, convulsions, involuntary urination and defecation, and eventual death by asphyxiation as control is lost over respiratory muscles. Nerve agents can be absorbed through the skin, requiring that those likely to be subjected to such agents wear a full body suit in addition to a [[gas mask]]. * [[Tabun (nerve agent)|Tabun]] (GA) * [[Sarin]] (GB) * [[Soman]] (GD) * [[Cyclosarin]] (GF) * [[VE (nerve agent)|VE]] * [[VG (nerve agent)|VG]] * [[VM (nerve agent)|VM]] * [[VX (nerve agent)|VX]] * [[Novichok agent]]s == Blood agents == {{main|Blood agent}} A ''blood agent'' (or ''cyanogen agent'') is a [[chemical compound]], containing the [[cyanide|cyanide group]], that prevents the body from utilizing [[oxygen]]. The term "blood agent" is a misnomer, however, because these agents do not actually affect the blood in any way. Rather, they exert their toxic effect at the [[cell (biology)|cell]]ular level by directly interrupting [[cellular respiration]] (see ''[[cyanide]]''). * [[Cyanogen chloride]] (CK) * [[Hydrogen cyanide]] (AC) * [[Hydrogen sulfide]] (SA) == Blister agents == {{main|Blister agent}} A ''blister agent'' (or ''vesicant'') is a chemical compound that causes severe skin, eye and mucosal pain and irritation. They are named for their ability to cause large, painful water [[blister]]s on the bodies of those affected. ===Lewisites=== {{main|Lewisite}} * 2-Chlorovinyldichloroarsine (Lewisite 1) * Bis(2-chlorovinyl)chloroarsine (Lewisite 2) * Tris(2-chlorovinyl)arsine (Lewisite 3) ===Nitrogen mustards=== {{main|Nitrogen mustard}} * Bis(2-chloroethyl)ethylamine (HN1) * Bis(2-chloroethyl)methylamine (HN2) * Tris(2-chloroethyl)amine (HN3) ===Sulfur mustards=== {{main|Sulfur mustard}} * 1,2-Bis(2-chloroethylthio) ethane (Sesquimustard; Q) * 1,3-Bis(2-chloroethylthio)-n-propane * 1,4-Bis(2-chloroethylthio)-n-butane * 1,5-Bis(2-chloroethylthio)-n-pentane * 2-Chloroethylchloromethylsulfide * Bis(2-chloroethyl) sulfide (Mustard gas; HD) * Bis(2-chloroethylthio) methane * Bis(2-chloroethylthiomethyl) ether * Bis(2-chloroethylthioethyl) ether (O Mustard) ===Other blister agents=== * [[Ethyldichloroarsine]] (a lewisite analog; ED) * [[Methyldichloroarsine]] (MD) * [[Phenyldichloroarsine]] (PD) * [[Phosgene oxime]] (CX) ==Pulmonary agents== {{main|Pulmonary agent}} A ''pulmonary agent'' (or ''choking agent'') is a [[chemical weapon agent]] designed to impede a victim's ability to [[breath]]e, resulting in [[Asphyxia|suffocation]]. * [[Adamsite]] (DM) * [[Acrolein]] * [[Bis(chloromethyl) ether]] (BCME) * [[Chlorine]] (Cl2) * [[Chloropicrin]] (PS) * [[Diphosgene]] (DP) * [[Methyl chlorosulfonate]] * [[Phosgene]] (CG) * [[Stannic chloride]] ==Incapacitating agents== {{main|Incapacitating agent}} An ''incapacitating agent'' (sometimes ''riot-control agent'') is a chemical compund that produces temporary physiological or mental effects, or both, which will render individuals incapable of concerted effort. Most incapacitating agents have very little in common in terms of chemical nature or effects, but are groups as "incapacitating" by virtue of their reduced lethality. === Lachrymatory agents === {{main|Lachrymatory agent}} A ''lachrymatory agent'' (or ''lachrymator'') is a group of incapacitating agents that irritate the [[eye]]s to cause [[tears|tearing]], [[pain]], and even temporary [[blindness]]. The most common lachrymatory agents are [[tear gas]] and [[pepper spray]]. * [[a-Chlorotoluene]] * [[Benzyl bromide]] * [[Bromoacetone]] (BA) * [[Bromobenzylcyanide]] (CA) * [[Bromomethyl ethyl ketone]] * [[Capsaicin]] (OC) * [[CN gas|Chloracetophenone]] (Tear gas; CN) * [[Chloromethyl chloroformate]] * [[CR gas|Dibenzoxazepine]] (CR) * [[Ethyl iodoacetate]] * [[CS gas|Ortho-chlorobenzylidene malononitrile]] (Super tear gas; CS) * [[Trichloromethyl chloroformate]] * [[Xylyl bromide]] ===Other incapacitating agents=== * [[3-Quinuclidinyl benzilate]] (psychedelic; BZ) * [[Hydrocyanic acid]] (paralytic) * [[Diphenylchloroarsine]] (sternutatory; DA) * [[Diphenylcyanoarsine]] (DC) * [[KOLOKOL-1]] (tranquilizer) ==Toxins== {{main|Toxin}} A ''toxin'' is a [[Biology|biologically]] produced substance that causes injury to the health of a [[organism|living thing]] on contact or absorption, typically by interacting with biological [[macromolecules]] such as [[enzyme]]s and [[Receptor (biochemistry)|receptor]]s. * [[Abrin]] * [[Ricin]] * [[Saxitoxin]] [[Category:Chemical weapons]] [[ru:Боевое отравляющее вещество]] [[vi:Chất độc quân sự]]