Page 57 - MILITARY-STUDIES-2

Module - V
Chemical Warfare
Warfare and
Its Types volatile liquids, which slowly emit an odorless toxic vapour. Their viscosity
is same as that of a light lubricating oil and their persistency is such as to
make them extremely hazardous as a liquid or as an aerosol, which can be
inhaled, absorbed through the skin or swallowed with contaminated food
or water. The standard persistent agent is VX.
(b) G Agents: The non-persistent G agents, which are also colourless and
Note
odorless, are in contrast to the V agents, highly volatile and they vaporize
rapidly to form a highly toxic cloud. Their viscosity is somewhat same as
that of petrol and their volatility makes them generally unsuitable for
dissemination in liquid or aerosol form. They are therefore diffused as
vapours, which attack through the eyes and respiratory tract, but may
also penetrate normal clothing to attack through the skin. Although vapour
is the most likely hazard, liquid G Agents coming directly in contact with
the skin are also lethal. The standard non-persistent agent is GB.

(c) Symptoms of Nerve Agent Poisoning; The order of the onset of the
symptoms of nerve agent poisoning varies with the type of attack. With
vapours, dimness of vision with pinpointed pupil occurs early; when
absorbed through the skin, nausea and vomiting occur in the early stages.
Later, irrespective of type of attack and unless preventive measures are
taken, convulsions and paralysis set in, followed by eventual death.
Following large doses, death may occur within minutes.
II. Blister Agents: Mustard (HD) is used as the principal blister agent.It gives off
an invisible vapour having a slight but characteristic odour of garlic. Mustard
(HD) can be used in liquid or vapour form. It can seriously damage the eyes,
respiratory passage and skin if these are unprotected. Liquid mustard will
penetrate normal clothing in a few minutes; vapour takes considerably longer
time. Liquid mustard on the skin causes large blisters after about eight hours,
whereas the vapour causes small blisters in the form of a rash, which takes much
longer, sometimes even days to develop. Internal injuries will also result due to
the consumption of contaminated food and drink. Mustard in field concentrations
is normally lethal and a high casualty producer. It is normally disseminated as a
liquid or aerosol and attacks through both the skin and the respiratory tract.

Symptoms of Blister Agents :

These vary with time and are described below: -

(a) In the 20-60 minutes after exposure, nausea, vomiting and burning and
watering of the eye have occasionally been observed.
(b) In the next two to six hours, nausea, vomiting, headache, inflammation of

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MILITARY STUDIES