Nerve
Nerve agents are chemicals that interfere with the nervous
system. Sarin, soman, tabun and VX are examples of nerve agents
that all have similar effects.
Blister
Blister agents are chemicals that can damage skin, eyes and
lungs. Some examples of blister agents include lewisite, nitrogen
mustard, and sulfur mustard. Sulfur mustard (mustard agent)
gets its name from the yellow-brown color of the oily liquid
and its mustard-like (or garlic) odor.
Chlorine
Chlorine is shipped as a liquid in trucks and trains but quickly
forms a gas when it escapes from its storage container. It
is used widely in chemical manufacturing, bleaching, drinking
water and swimming pool disinfecting, and in cleaning agents.
Unknown
Chemical Exposure
A small chemical exposure can
cause tearing eyes and burning of the eyes, nose, throat,
chest and skin. It may cause headache, sweating, blurred vision,
stomach aches and diarrhea. It is common for even mild symptoms
from a harmful chemical to make people feel anxious. Once
exposure is stopped, mild symptoms usually go away quickly.
Cyanides
Cyanides have long been known as poisons that inhibit aerobic
respiration at the cellular level, preventing cells from utilizing
oxygen. Although most cyanides are present as salts (sodium,
potassium and calcium), two cyanides – hydrogen cyanide
(HCN) and cyanogen chloride (CK) – are of military,
and thus terrorist, interest.S
Ricin
Toxins
Ricin is a potent protein toxin derived from the beans of
the castor plant (Ricinus communis). Castor beans are ubiquitous
worldwide, and the toxin is fairly easily produced. Ricin
is therefore a potentially widely available toxin.
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