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Module - V
Chemical Warfare
Warfare and
Its Types 14.3 Types of Chemical Agents Based on Effectiveness

Have you seen dew on grass or leaves in the morning? The dew is water droplet,
which forms on leaves due to condensation in the atmosphere. Consider the dew
drops as chemical agents. Then some chemicals disappear quickly like the dewdrop.
These agents are called non-persistent agents. Other chemical agents remain in the
Note atmosphere and on the objects where it was sprayed. These agents are called persistent
agents. From the point of view of duration of effect the agents may be classified as
follows: -

(a) Non-Persistent Agents: These agents disperse rapidly after release and present
an immediate short duration hazard e.g. G agents (Nerve Agent), Hydrogen
Cyanide (Blood Agent) etc.

(b) Persistent Agent: These agents continue to present a hazard for a considerable
period after delivery by remaining a liquid contact hazard and by continuing to
produce vapour by the evaporation of the liquid e.g. V agents (Nerve Agents),
Sulphur Mustard (Blister Agent).

14.4 Effects on the Body

The third method of classification is to group agents by their action and effect on the
body. Such groups are as follows:

(a) Killer Agents: These agents are used to kill humans and are deadly/ fatal.
These are further classified as:-
(i) Nerve Agent: These interfere with the nervous system and thus disrupt
essential body functions like breathing, muscular control and vision. E.g.,
TABUN (GA), SARIN (GB), SOMAN (GD) and V agents.

(ii) Blister Agents: These agents cause inflammation, blistering of the skin
and superficial destruction of contaminated internal tissue, e.g., the lining
of the breathing passage. Although classified as killers, blister agents do
not cause death except in extreme cases. Examples are Mustard Gas
(HD), Nitrogen, Mustard (HN 1 to HN 3) and Lewisite (L).
(iii) Blood Agents: These prevent body tissue from using the oxygen in the
blood. E.g., Hydrogen Cyanide (AC), Cyanogen Chloride (CK) and Arsine
(SA).
(iv) Choking Agents: These attack the breathing passage and lungs. E.g.,
Phosgene(CG), Di-phosgene (DP) and Chloropicrin (PS).

(b) Incapacitating Agents: These agents cause temporary incapacitation of
individuals. They affect the normal human body functioning for a short duration.

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