Presentation on the topic of chemical weapons with asphyxiating effects. Chemical weapons life safety

Slide text: History of the use of chemical agents Chemical weapon used: First World War(1914-1918) Rif War (1920-1926) Second Italo-Ethiopian War (1935-1941) Second Sino-Japanese War (1937-1945) Vietnam War (1955-1975) Civil War in North Yemen (1962-1970) Iran-Iraq War (1980-1988) *

Slide text: Definition and properties of chemical weapons Chemical weapons are toxic substances and the means by which they are used on the battlefield. The basis of the destructive effect of chemical weapons is toxic substances. Toxic substances (TS) are chemical compounds, which, when used, can cause damage to unprotected manpower or reduce its combat effectiveness. According to their own damaging properties Agents differ from other combat weapons: they are capable of penetrating with air into various buildings, military equipment and inflict defeat on the people in them; they can keep their lethal effect in the air, on the ground and in various objects for some, sometimes quite a long time; spreading through large volumes of air and over large areas, they inflict defeat on all people within their sphere of action without means of protection; Agent vapors are capable of spreading in the direction of the wind to significant distances from areas where chemical weapons are directly used. *

Slide text: Properties of agent Chemical munitions are distinguished by the following characteristics: the persistence of the agent used; the nature of the physiological effect of the agent on the human body; means and methods of application; tactical purpose; speed of onset of impact; Persistence Depending on how long after use the toxic substances can retain their damaging effect , they are conventionally divided into: persistent (mustard gas, lewisite, VX) unstable (phosgene, hydrocyanic acid) The persistence of toxic substances depends on: their physical and chemical properties, methods of application, meteorological conditions the nature of the area where the toxic substances were used. Persistent agents retain their damaging effect from several hours to several days and even weeks. *

Slide text: Types of agents according to their physiological effects on humans nerve agents blister agents general toxic suffocating psychochemical sneezing tear irritant *

Slide text: Types of agents Nerve agents cause damage to the central nervous system. The main purpose of using nerve agents is the rapid and massive incapacitation of personnel with possible a large number deaths. Blistering agents cause damage mainly through the skin, and when used in the form of aerosols and vapors, also through the respiratory system. Generally toxic agents affect through the respiratory system, causing the cessation of oxidative processes in the tissues of the body. Asphyxiating agents primarily affect the lungs. Psychochemical agents are capable of incapacitating enemy manpower for some time. These toxic substances, affecting the central nervous system, disrupt normal mental activity of a person or cause mental disabilities such as temporary blindness, deafness, a sense of fear, and limitation of motor functions of various organs. May be fatal at very high concentrations*

Slide text: Methods of using agents can be used for the purpose of: - defeating manpower for its complete destruction or temporary incapacitation, which is achieved by using mainly nerve agents; — suppression of manpower in order to force it to take protective measures for a certain time and thus complicate its maneuver, reduce the speed and accuracy of fire; this task is accomplished by using agents with blister and nerve action; - pinning down (exhausting) the enemy in order to make it difficult for him fighting on long time and cause casualties in personnel; this problem is solved by using persistent agents; - contamination of the terrain in order to force the enemy to leave their positions, prohibit or make it difficult to use certain areas of the terrain and overcome obstacles.. *

Slide text: Methods of application Methods of delivery rockets artillery landmines aviation *

Slide text: Characteristics of the main agents Nerve agents Sarin GB is a colorless or yellow color the liquid is almost odorless, which makes it difficult to detect external signs. Longevity in summer - several hours, in winter - several days. Sarin causes damage through the respiratory system, skin, gastrointestinal tract. When exposed to sarin, the victim experiences drooling, profuse sweating, headaches, vomiting, dizziness, loss of consciousness, severe convulsions, paralysis and, as a result of severe poisoning, death. Soman GD is a colorless and almost odorless liquid. In many properties it is very similar to sarin. The persistence of soman is slightly higher than that of sarin; its effect on the human body is approximately 10 times stronger. V-gases VX are a low-volatile, colorless liquid with a shelf life of 7-15 days in summer and indefinitely in winter. V-gases are 100 - 1000 times more toxic than other nerve agents. They are highly effective when acting through the skin. Contact of small drops of V-gases on human skin usually causes death. *

Slide text: Blistering agents Representatives: mustard gas HD, lewisite L, Mustard gas is a dark brown oily liquid with a characteristic odor of garlic or mustard. Its durability on the ground is: in summer - from 7 to 14 days, in winter - a month or more. The effect of mustard gas appears after a period of latent action. When it comes into contact with the skin, mustard gas is absorbed into the skin. After 4 - 8 hours, redness and itching appear on the skin. After a day, small bubbles form, which merge into single large bubbles. The appearance of blisters is accompanied by malaise and fever. After 2 - 3 days, the blisters burst, leaving ulcers that do not heal for a long time. The organs of vision are affected by mustard gas at negligible concentrations in the air and exposure time is 10 minutes. Then photophobia and lacrimation appear. The disease can last 10 - 15 days, after which recovery occurs. The digestive organs become infected through food. The period of latent action (30 - 60 minutes) ends with the appearance of stomach pain, nausea, vomiting; then general weakness sets in, headache, weakening of reflexes. In the future - paralysis, severe weakness and exhaustion. If the course is unfavorable, death occurs between 3 and 12 days as a result of complete loss of strength and exhaustion. *

Slide text: Generally toxic agents Hydrocyanic acid AC and cyanogen chloride SC, arsenous hydrogen, hydrogen phosphorous. Hydrocyanic acid AC is a colorless liquid with an odor reminiscent of bitter almonds. Hydrocyanic acid evaporates easily and acts only in a vapor state. Characteristic features defeats hydrocyanic acid are: metallic taste in the mouth, throat irritation, numbness of the tip of the tongue, dizziness, weakness, nausea. shortness of breath, slow pulse, loss of consciousness, sharp convulsions. Convulsions are observed for a relatively short time; they are replaced by complete relaxation of the muscles with loss of sensitivity, a drop in temperature, respiratory depression with subsequent cessation. Cardiac activity after stopping breathing continues for another 3 to 7 minutes. *

Slide text: Asphyxiating Phosgene CG and diphosgene CG2 Phosgene is a colorless, highly volatile liquid with the smell of rotten hay or rotten apples. Durability 30-50min. The period of latent action is 4 - 6 hours. When phosgene is inhaled, a person feels a sweetish, unpleasant taste in the mouth, followed by coughing, dizziness and general weakness. When leaving the contaminated air, the signs of poisoning quickly pass, and a period of so-called imaginary well-being begins. But after 4 - 6 hours, the affected person experiences a sharp deterioration in their condition: a bluish discoloration of the lips, cheeks, and nose quickly develops; general weakness, headache, rapid breathing, severe shortness of breath, a painful cough with the release of liquid, foamy, pinkish sputum indicate the development of pulmonary edema. The process of phosgene poisoning reaches its climax within 2 - 3 days. With a favorable course of the disease, the affected person’s health will gradually begin to improve, and in severe cases of damage, death occurs. Diphosgene also has an irritant effect *

Slide text: Irritating agents This group includes gases CS, CN, CR. CS in low concentrations has an irritating effect on the eyes and upper respiratory tract, and in high concentrations it causes burns to exposed skin, in some cases - respiratory and cardiac paralysis and death. Signs of damage: severe burning and pain in the eyes and chest, severe lacrimation, involuntary closing of the eyelids, sneezing, runny nose (sometimes with blood), painful burning in the mouth, nasopharynx, upper respiratory tract, cough and chest pain. Tear - chloroacetophenone "Bird cherry" (named for its characteristic odor, bromobenzyl cyanide and chloropicrin. Lachrymation occurs at a concentration of 0.002 mg/l, at 0.01 mg/l it becomes intolerable and is accompanied by irritation of the skin of the face and neck. At a concentration of 0.08 mg/l and exposure 1 minute a person is incapacitated for 15-30 minutes; concentration 10-11 mg/l is lethal. Does not affect the eyes of animals. Sneezing agents This group includes agents DM (adamsite), DA (diphenylchloroarsine) and DC (diphenylcyanarsine ) The defeat is accompanied by uncontrollable sneezing, coughing and chest pain.Concomitant phenomena such as nausea, the urge to vomit, headache and pain in the jaws and teeth, a feeling of pressure in the ears, indicate defeat paranasal sinuses nose In severe cases, damage to the respiratory tract is possible, leading to toxic pulmonary edema. *

Slide text: Agent of psychochemical action representative: Lysergic acid dimethylamide, Bi-Z (BZ) Lysergic acid dimethylamide. If it enters the human body, mild nausea and dilated pupils appear within 3 minutes, and then hallucinations of hearing and vision that last for several hours. Bi-Z (BZ) When exposed to low concentrations, drowsiness and decreased combat effectiveness occur. When exposed to high concentrations initial stage Within a few hours, rapid heartbeat, dry skin and dry mouth, dilated pupils and decreased fighting ability are observed. Over the next 8 hours, numbness and speech inhibition occur. This is followed by a period of excitement, lasting up to 4 days. In 2-3 days. after exposure to 0V, a gradual return to normal begins. *

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History of the use of chemical weapons Chemical weapons were used: First World War (1914-1918) Rif War (1920-1926) Second Italo-Ethiopian War (1935-1941) Second Sino-Japanese War (1937-1945) Vietnam War (1955-1975) North Yemen Civil War (1962-1970) Iran-Iraq War (1980-1988) *

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Definition and properties of chemical weapons Chemical weapons are toxic substances and the means by which they are used on the battlefield. The basis of the destructive effect of chemical weapons is toxic substances. Toxic agents (CA) are chemical compounds that, when used, can injure unprotected personnel or reduce their combat effectiveness. In terms of their damaging properties, explosive agents differ from other military weapons: they are capable of penetrating with the air into various buildings, military equipment and inflicting damage on the people in them; they can maintain their destructive effect in the air, on the ground and in various objects for some, sometimes quite a long time; spreading in large volumes of air and over large areas, they inflict damage on all people within their sphere of action without protective equipment; Agent vapors are capable of spreading in the direction of the wind to significant distances from areas where chemical weapons are directly used. *

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Properties of agent Chemical munitions are distinguished by the following characteristics: the durability of the agent used; the nature of the physiological effect of the agent on the human body; means and methods of application; tactical purpose; speed of onset of impact; Persistence Depending on how long after use toxic substances can retain their damaging effect, they are conditionally are divided into: persistent (mustard gas, lewisite, VX) unstable (phosgene, hydrocyanic acid) The persistence of toxic substances depends on: their physical and chemical properties, methods of application, meteorological conditions, the nature of the area in which the toxic substances are used. Persistent agents retain their damaging effect from several hours to several days and even weeks. *

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Types of agents according to their physiological effects on humans: nerve agents, blister agents, generally poisonous, suffocating, psychochemical, sneezing, tear irritants *

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Types of agents Nerve agents cause damage to the central nervous system. The main purpose of using nerve agents is the rapid and massive incapacitation of personnel with the greatest possible number of deaths. Blistering agents cause damage mainly through the skin, and when used in the form of aerosols and vapors, also through the respiratory system. Generally toxic agents affect through the respiratory system, causing the cessation of oxidative processes in the tissues of the body. Asphyxiating agents primarily affect the lungs. Psychochemical agents are capable of incapacitating enemy manpower for some time. These toxic substances, affecting the central nervous system, disrupt the normal mental activity of a person or cause mental disabilities such as temporary blindness, deafness, a sense of fear, and limitation of the motor functions of various organs. May be fatal at very high concentrations*

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Methods of using agents can be used for the purpose of: - defeating manpower for their complete destruction or temporary incapacitation, which is achieved by using mainly nerve agents; - suppression of manpower in order to force it to take protective measures for a certain time and thus complicate its maneuver, reduce the speed and accuracy of fire; this task is accomplished by using agents with blister and nerve action; - pinning down (exhausting) the enemy in order to complicate his combat operations for a long time and cause losses in personnel; this problem is solved by using persistent agents; - contamination of the terrain in order to force the enemy to leave their positions, prohibit or make it difficult to use certain areas of the terrain and overcome obstacles.. *

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Characteristics of the main agents Nerve agents Sarin GB is a colorless or yellow liquid, almost odorless, which makes it difficult to detect by external signs. Longevity in summer - several hours, in winter - several days. Sarin causes damage through the respiratory system, skin, and gastrointestinal tract. When exposed to sarin, the victim experiences drooling, profuse sweating, headaches, vomiting, dizziness, loss of consciousness, severe convulsions, paralysis and, as a result of severe poisoning, death. Soman GD is a colorless and almost odorless liquid. In many properties it is very similar to sarin. The persistence of soman is slightly higher than that of sarin; its effect on the human body is approximately 10 times stronger. V-gases VX are a low-volatile, colorless liquid with a shelf life of 7-15 days in summer and indefinitely in winter. V-gases are 100 - 1000 times more toxic than other nerve agents. They are highly effective when acting through the skin. Contact of small drops of V-gases on human skin usually causes death. *

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Blistering agents Representatives: mustard gas HD, lewisite L, Mustard gas is a dark brown oily liquid with a characteristic odor of garlic or mustard. Its durability on the ground is: in summer - from 7 to 14 days, in winter - a month or more. The effect of mustard gas appears after a period of latent action. When it comes into contact with the skin, mustard gas is absorbed into the skin. After 4 - 8 hours, redness and itching appear on the skin. After a day, small bubbles form, which merge into single large bubbles. The appearance of blisters is accompanied by malaise and fever. After 2 - 3 days, the blisters burst, leaving ulcers that do not heal for a long time. The organs of vision are affected by mustard gas at negligible concentrations in the air and exposure time is 10 minutes. Then photophobia and lacrimation appear. The disease can last 10 - 15 days, after which recovery occurs. The digestive organs become infected through food. The period of latent action (30 - 60 minutes) ends with the appearance of stomach pain, nausea, vomiting; then general weakness, headache, weakening of reflexes occur. In the future - paralysis, severe weakness and exhaustion. If the course is unfavorable, death occurs between 3 and 12 days as a result of complete loss of strength and exhaustion. *

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Generally toxic agents Hydrocyanic acid AC and cyanogen chloride SC, arsenic hydrogen, hydrogen phosphide. Hydrocyanic acid AC is a colorless liquid with an odor reminiscent of bitter almonds. Hydrocyanic acid evaporates easily and acts only in a vapor state. Characteristic signs of damage by hydrocyanic acid are: metallic taste in the mouth, throat irritation, numbness of the tip of the tongue, dizziness, weakness, nausea. shortness of breath, slow pulse, loss of consciousness, sharp convulsions. Convulsions are observed for a relatively short time; they are replaced by complete relaxation of the muscles with loss of sensitivity, a drop in temperature, respiratory depression with subsequent cessation. Cardiac activity after stopping breathing continues for another 3 to 7 minutes. *

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Asphyxiating Phosgene CG and diphosgene CG2 Phosgene is a colorless, highly volatile liquid with the smell of rotten hay or rotten apples. Durability 30-50min. The period of hidden action is 4 - 6 hours. When phosgene is inhaled, a person feels a sweetish, unpleasant taste in the mouth, followed by coughing, dizziness and general weakness. When leaving the contaminated air, the signs of poisoning quickly pass, and a period of so-called imaginary well-being begins. But after 4 - 6 hours, the affected person experiences a sharp deterioration in their condition: a bluish discoloration of the lips, cheeks, and nose quickly develops; general weakness, headache, rapid breathing, severe shortness of breath, a painful cough with the release of liquid, foamy, pinkish sputum indicate the development of pulmonary edema. The process of phosgene poisoning reaches its climax within 2 - 3 days. With a favorable course of the disease, the affected person’s health will gradually begin to improve, and in severe cases of damage, death occurs. Diphosgene also has an irritant effect *

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Irritating agents This group includes gases CS, CN, CR. CS in low concentrations has an irritating effect on the eyes and upper respiratory tract, and in high concentrations it causes burns to exposed skin, in some cases - respiratory and cardiac paralysis and death. Signs of damage: severe burning and pain in the eyes and chest, severe lacrimation, involuntary closing of the eyelids, sneezing, runny nose (sometimes with blood), painful burning in the mouth, nasopharynx, upper respiratory tract, cough and chest pain. Tear - chloroacetophenone "Bird cherry" (named for its characteristic odor, bromobenzyl cyanide and chloropicrin. Lachrymation occurs at a concentration of 0.002 mg/l, at 0.01 mg/l it becomes intolerable and is accompanied by irritation of the skin of the face and neck. At a concentration of 0.08 mg/l and exposure 1 minute a person is incapacitated for 15-30 minutes; concentration 10-11 mg/l is lethal. Does not affect the eyes of animals. Sneezing agents This group includes agents DM (adamsite), DA (diphenylchloroarsine) and DC (diphenylcyanarsine ) The lesion is accompanied by uncontrollable sneezing, coughing and chest pain. Associated phenomena such as nausea, the urge to vomit, headache and pain in the jaws and teeth, a feeling of pressure in the ears, indicate damage to the paranasal sinuses. In severe cases, damage to the respiratory tract is possible , leading to toxic pulmonary edema.*

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Agent of psychochemical action representative: Lysergic acid dimethylamide, Bi-Z (BZ) Lysergic acid dimethylamide. If it enters the human body, mild nausea and dilated pupils appear within 3 minutes, and then hallucinations of hearing and vision that last for several hours. Bi-Z (BZ) When exposed to low concentrations, drowsiness and decreased combat effectiveness occur. When exposed to high concentrations, at the initial stage, rapid heartbeat, dry skin and dry mouth, dilated pupils and a decrease in combat effectiveness are observed for several hours. Over the next 8 hours, numbness and speech inhibition occur. This is followed by a period of excitement, lasting up to 4 days. In 2-3 days. after exposure to 0V, a gradual return to normal begins. *



Historical reference

Germany first used chemical weapons during the First World War against the Anglo-French troops.



Chemical weapons Historical background

On April 22, 1915, near the city of Ypres (Belgium), the Germans released 180 tons of chlorine from cylinders. Special means there was no protection yet (gas masks were invented a year later), and the poisonous gas poisoned 15 thousand people, a third of them died.



Characteristic

Chemical weapons are toxic substances and the means by which they are used on the battlefield. The basis of the destructive effect of chemical weapons is toxic substances.





Based on the nature of their effect on the human body, toxic substances are divided into six groups:

  • nerve agents (VX (VI-EX), sarin, soman),
  • blister action (mustard gas),
  • generally poisonous (hydrocyanic acid, cyanogen chloride),
  • asphyxiants (phosgene),
  • irritant (CS (see-es), adamsite),
  • psychochemical action (BZ (bi-zet), lysergic acid dimethylamide)


Characteristics of the main

toxic substances

  • Sarin is a colorless or yellow liquid with almost no odor, which makes it difficult to detect by external signs.

2) Soman is a colorless and almost odorless liquid. Belongs to the class of nerve agents.



Characteristics of the main

toxic substances

3) V-gases are low-volatile liquids with very high temperature boiling, so their resistance is many times greater than the resistance of sarin.

4) mustard gas is an oily dark brown liquid with a characteristic odor reminiscent of garlic or mustard.



Characteristics of the main

toxic substances

5) hydrocyanic acid - a colorless liquid with a peculiar odor reminiscent of the smell of bitter almonds;

6) phosgene is a colorless, highly volatile liquid with the smell of rotten hay or rotten apples.

7) lysergic acid dimethylamide - a toxic substance with psychochemical action.



Protection

Gas masks, respirators, and special anti-chemical clothing protect against chemical agents.






Protection

Included modern armies there are special troops. In the event of radioactive, biological and chemical contamination, they carry out decontamination, disinfection and decontamination of equipment, uniforms, terrain, etc.



Destruction

In the 80s In the 20th century, the United States owned more than 150 thousand tons of toxic substances. In the USSR by 1995, OM reserves amounted to 40 thousand tons.

The first plant for the destruction of chemical agents in our country was built in the city of Chapaevsk (Samara region).


New types of weapons

mass destruction

  • Beam weapon
  • Lasers
  • Radio frequency weapons
  • Infrasonic weapons
  • Radiological weapons
  • Geophysical weapons

Completed by a student of class 10 “B” Pushkov Roman Municipal Educational Institution Anninskaya Secondary School No. 1, Anna township, Voronezh region Supervisor: chemistry teacher Galtseva O.N. Chemical weapons are weapons of mass destruction, the action of which is based on the toxic properties of toxic substances and the means of their use: shells, missiles, mines, aircraft bombs, VAPs (aircraft discharge devices). Along with nuclear and biological weapons, it is classified as a weapon of mass destruction (WMD). Chemical weapons are distinguished according to the following characteristics: - the nature of the physiological effect of the agent on the human body - tactical purpose - the speed of the onset of the effect - the persistence of the agent used - means and methods of application Based on the nature of the physiological effect on the human body, six main types of toxic substances are distinguished: Nerve agents actions affecting the central nervous system. The purpose of using nerve agents is to quickly and massively incapacitate personnel with as many deaths as possible. Toxic substances in this group include sarin, soman, tabun and V-gases. Poisonous substances with blister action. They cause damage mainly through the skin, and when used in the form of aerosols and vapors, also through the respiratory system. The main toxic substances are mustard gas and lewisite. Generally poisonous substances. Once in the body, they disrupt the transfer of oxygen from the blood to the tissues. These are one of the fastest acting agents. These include hydrocyanic acid and cyanogen chloride. Asphyxiating agents primarily affect the lungs. The main agents are phosgene and diphosgene. Psychochemical agents are capable of incapacitating enemy manpower for some time. These toxic substances, affecting the central nervous system, disrupt the normal mental activity of a person or cause such mental disabilities as temporary blindness, deafness, a sense of fear, and limited motor functions. Poisoning with these substances in doses that cause mental disorders does not lead to death. OM from this group are inuclidyl-3benzilate (BZ) and lysergic acid diethylamide. Toxic substances of irritating action, or irritants (from the English irritant - irritating substance). Irritating substances are fast-acting. At the same time, their effect is usually short-lived, since after leaving the contaminated area, signs of poisoning disappear within 1 to 10 minutes. Irritating agents include tear substances that cause excessive lacrimation and sneezing, irritating the respiratory tract (they can also affect the nervous system and cause skin lesions). Tear agents are CS, CN, or chloroacetophenone and PS, or chloropicrin. Sneeze agents - DM (adamsite), DA (diphenylchloroarsine) and DC (diphenylcyanarsine). There are agents that combine tear and sneeze effects. Irritating agents are in service with the police in many countries and are therefore classified as police or special non-lethal means (special means). There are known cases of the use of other chemical compounds that are not aimed at directly defeating enemy personnel. Yes, in Vietnam War The United States used defoliants (the so-called "Agent Orange", containing toxic dioxin), which caused leaves to fall from trees. The tactical classification divides agents into groups according to combat purposes. Lethal agents (in American terminology, lethal agents) are substances intended to destroy manpower, which include nerve agents, vesicants, general poisonous and asphyxiating agents. Temporarily incapacitating manpower (in American terminology, harmful agents) are substances that allow solving tactical problems of incapacitating manpower for periods ranging from several minutes to several days. These include psychotropic substances (incapacitants) and irritants (irritants). Based on the speed of exposure, fast-acting and slow-acting agents are distinguished. Depending on the duration of preservation of the damaging ability, agents are divided into short-acting (unstable or volatile) and long-acting (persistent). The damaging effect of the former is calculated in minutes (AC, CG). The effect of the latter can last from several hours to several weeks after their use. During the First World War, chemical weapons were widely used in combat operations. The possibility of use was extremely dependent on the weather, direction and strength of the wind; in some cases, suitable conditions for massive use had to wait for weeks. When used during offensives, the side using it itself suffered losses from its own chemical weapons, and the enemy’s losses did not exceed losses from traditional artillery fire during the artillery preparation of the offensive. In subsequent wars, the massive combat use of chemical weapons was no longer observed. Wars using chemical weapons At the 1st Peace Conference in The Hague in 1899, an international declaration was adopted prohibiting the use of chemical agents for military purposes. France, Germany, Italy, Russia and Japan agreed to the Hague Declaration of 1899, the USA and Great Britain joined the declaration and accepted its obligations at the 2nd Hague Conference in 1907. Despite this, cases of the use of chemical weapons were repeatedly noted in the future: First World War (1914-1918; both sides) Rif War (1920-1926; Spain, France) Second Italo-Ethiopian War (1935-1941; Italy) Second Sino-Japanese War (1937-1945; Japan) Vietnam War (1957 -1975; USA) Civil War in North Yemen (1962-1970; Egypt) Iran-Iraq War (1980-1988; both sides) Iraqi-Kurdish conflict (Iraqi government forces during Operation Anfal) Iraq War (from 2003; rebels, USA) In 1940 in the city. In Oberbaiern (Bavaria), a large plant, owned by IG Farben, was launched for the production of mustard gas and mustard compounds, with a capacity of 40 thousand tons. In total, in the pre-war and first war years, about 17 new technological installations for the production of chemical agents were built in Germany, the annual capacity of which exceeded 100 thousand tons. In the city of Duchernfurt, on the Oder (now Silesia, Poland) there was one of the largest chemical agents production facilities. By 1945, Germany had in reserve 12 thousand tons of herd, the production of which was not available anywhere else. The reasons why Germany did not use chemical weapons during the Second World War are still not clear; according to one version, Hitler did not give the command to use chemical weapons during the war because he believed that the USSR large quantity chemical weapons. In 1993, Russia signed and in 1997 ratified the Convention on the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons. In this regard, a program was adopted to destroy stockpiles of chemical weapons accumulated over many years of their production. Initially, the program was designed until 2009, but due to underfunding, changes were made to the program. Currently the program runs until 2012. Currently, there are eight chemical weapons storage facilities in Russia, each of which has a corresponding destruction facility: s. Pokrovka of the Chapaevsky district of the Samara region (Chapayevsk-11), the destruction plant was installed by military builders one of the first, in 1989, but has been mothballed until now) Gorny village (Saratov region) (Put into operation) Kambarka ( Udmurt republic) (First stage commissioned) Kizner village (Udmurt Republic) (Under construction) Shchuchye ( Kurgan region) (The first stage was commissioned on 02.25.2009) Maradykovo village (the Maradykovsky object) (Kirov region) (The first stage was introduced) Leonidovka village (Penza region) (Put into operation) Pochep ( Bryansk region) (Under construction) Despite the precautions of the world community, there is a danger of using chemical weapons. Each country has a strategic reserve of it. And therefore this type of weapon is a potential environmental problem for the whole world.

History of the use of chemical agents
  • Chemical weapons were used:
  • First World War (1914-1918)
  • Rif War (1920-1926)
  • Second Italo-Ethiopian War (1935-1941)
  • Second Sino-Japanese War (1937-1945)
  • Vietnam War (1955-1975)
  • North Yemen Civil War (1962-1970)
  • Iran-Iraq War (1980-1988)
Definition and properties of chemical weapons
  • Chemical weapons are toxic substances and the means by which they are used on the battlefield. The basis of the destructive effect of chemical weapons is toxic substances.
  • Toxic agents (CA) are chemical compounds that, when used, can injure unprotected personnel or reduce their combat effectiveness.
  • In terms of their damaging properties, explosive agents differ from other military weapons:
    • they are capable of penetrating with the air into various buildings, military equipment and inflicting defeat on the people in them;
    • they can maintain their destructive effect in the air, on the ground and in various objects for some, sometimes quite a long time;
    • spreading in large volumes of air and over large areas, they inflict damage on all people within their sphere of action without protective equipment;
    • Agent vapors are capable of spreading in the direction of the wind to significant distances from areas where chemical weapons are directly used.
Chemical munitions are distinguished by the following characteristics:
  • Properties of OM
  • Chemical munitions are distinguished by the following characteristics:
    • durability of the agent used
    • the nature of the physiological effects of agents on the human body
    • means and methods of application
    • tactical purpose
    • speed of oncoming impact
  • Durability
  • Depending on how long after use toxic substances can retain their damaging effect, they are conventionally divided into:
    • persistent (mustard gas, lewisite, VX)
    • unstable (phosgene, hydrocyanic acid)
  • The persistence of toxic substances depends on :
    • their physical and chemical properties,
    • methods of application,
    • meteorological conditions
    • the nature of the area where the toxic substances were used.
  • Persistent agents retain their damaging effect from several hours to several days and even weeks.
  • Types of chemical agents according to physiological effects on humans
  • nerve agents
  • skin abscess
  • generally poisonous
  • I'm suffocating
  • Psychos
  • mental
  • sneezing
  • tear
  • annoying
OB nerve agent actions cause damage to the central nervous system. The main purpose of using nerve agents is the rapid and massive incapacitation of personnel with the greatest possible number of deaths.
  • Types of agents
  • OB nerve agent actions cause damage to the central nervous system. The main purpose of using nerve agents is the rapid and massive incapacitation of personnel with the greatest possible number of deaths.
  • OB blister actions cause damage mainly through the skin, and when used in the form of aerosols and vapors, also through the respiratory system.
  • OB generally poisonous actions affect through the respiratory system, causing the cessation of oxidative processes in the tissues of the body.
  • OB suffocating the effects mainly affect the lungs.
  • OB psychochemical actions are capable of incapacitating enemy manpower for some time. These toxic substances, affecting the central nervous system, disrupt the normal mental activity of a person or cause mental disabilities such as temporary blindness, deafness, a sense of fear, and limitation of the motor functions of various organs. May be fatal at very high concentrations
  • Methods of application
  • OBs can be used for the following purposes:
  • - defeats manpower for its complete destruction or temporary
  • incapacitation, which is achieved using mainly nerve agents;
  • - suppression manpower in order to force it to take protective measures for a certain time and thus complicate its maneuver, reduce the speed and accuracy of fire; this task is accomplished by using agents with blister and nerve action;
  • - shackling(exhaustion) of the enemy in order to complicate his combat
  • actions for a long time and cause losses in personnel; this problem is solved by using persistent agents;
  • - contamination of the terrain in order to force the enemy to leave their positions, prohibit or make it difficult to use certain areas of the terrain and overcome obstacles.
  • Methods of application
  • Delivery methods
  • rockets
  • artillery
  • landmines
  • aviation
Nerve agents
  • Characteristics of the main agents
  • Nerve agents
  • Sarin GB is a colorless or yellow liquid with almost no odor, which makes it difficult to detect by external signs.
  • Longevity in summer - several hours, in winter - several days.
  • Sarin causes damage through the respiratory system, skin, and gastrointestinal tract.
  • When exposed to sarin, the victim experiences drooling, profuse sweating, headaches, vomiting, dizziness, loss of consciousness, severe convulsions, paralysis and, as a result of severe poisoning, death.
  • Soman GD is a colorless and almost odorless liquid. In many properties it is very similar to sarin. The persistence of soman is slightly higher than that of sarin; its effect on the human body is approximately 10 times stronger.
  • V-gases VX are a low-volatile, colorless liquid with a shelf life of 7-15 days in summer and indefinitely in winter. V-gases are 100 - 1000 times more toxic than other nerve agents. They are highly effective when acting through the skin. Contact of small drops of V-gases on human skin usually causes death.
Blistering agents
  • Blistering agents
  • Representatives: HD mustard, lewisite L,
  • Mustard gas is a dark brown oily liquid with a characteristic odor of garlic or mustard. Its durability on the ground is: in summer - from 7 to 14 days, in winter - a month or more.
  • The effect of mustard gas appears after a period of latent action.
  • When it comes into contact with the skin, mustard gas is absorbed into the skin. After 4 - 8 hours, redness and itching appear on the skin. After a day, small bubbles form, which merge into single large bubbles. The appearance of blisters is accompanied by malaise and fever.
  • After 2 - 3 days, the blisters burst, leaving ulcers that do not heal for a long time.
  • The organs of vision are affected by mustard gas at negligible concentrations in the air and exposure time is 10 minutes. Then photophobia and lacrimation appear. The disease can last 10 - 15 days, after which recovery occurs.
  • The digestive organs become infected through food. The period of latent action (30 - 60 minutes) ends with the appearance of stomach pain, nausea, vomiting; then general weakness, headache, weakening of reflexes occur. In the future - paralysis, severe weakness and exhaustion. If the course is unfavorable, death occurs between 3 and 12 days as a result of complete loss of strength and exhaustion.
Generally poisonous agents
  • Generally poisonous agents
  • Hydrocyanic acid AC and cyanogen chloride SC, arsenous hydrogen, hydrogen phosphorous.
  • Hydrocyanic acid AC is a colorless liquid with an odor reminiscent of bitter almonds.
  • Hydrocyanic acid evaporates easily and acts only in a vapor state.
  • Characteristic signs of damage by hydrocyanic acid are:
    • metallic taste in the mouth,
    • irritation of the throat, numbness of the tip of the tongue,
    • dizziness, weakness, nausea.
    • dyspnea,
    • pulse slows, loss of consciousness
    • sharp convulsions. Convulsions are observed for a relatively short time; they are replaced by complete relaxation of the muscles with loss of sensitivity, a drop in temperature, respiratory depression with subsequent cessation.
    • Cardiac activity after stopping breathing continues for another 3 to 7 minutes.
Suffocating
  • Suffocating
  • Phosgene CG and diphosgene CG2
  • Phosgene - a colorless, highly volatile liquid with the smell of rotten hay or rotten apples. Durability 30-50min.
  • The period of hidden action is 4 - 6 hours. When phosgene is inhaled, a person feels a sweetish, unpleasant taste in the mouth, followed by coughing, dizziness and general weakness.
  • When leaving the contaminated air, the signs of poisoning quickly pass, and a period of so-called imaginary well-being begins.
  • But after 4 - 6 hours, the affected person experiences a sharp deterioration in their condition: a bluish discoloration of the lips, cheeks, and nose quickly develops; general weakness, headache, rapid breathing, severe shortness of breath, a painful cough with the release of liquid, foamy, pinkish sputum indicate the development of pulmonary edema.
  • The process of phosgene poisoning reaches its climax within 2 - 3 days. With a favorable course of the disease, the affected person’s health will gradually begin to improve, and in severe cases of damage, death occurs.
  • Diphosgene also has an irritant effect
Irritant agents
  • Irritant agents
  • This group includes gas CS, CN, CR.
  • CS in low concentrations has an irritating effect on the eyes and upper respiratory tract, and in high concentrations it causes burns to exposed skin, in some cases - respiratory and cardiac paralysis and death. Signs of damage: severe burning and pain in the eyes and chest, severe lacrimation, involuntary closing of the eyelids, sneezing, runny nose (sometimes with blood), painful burning in the mouth, nasopharynx, upper respiratory tract, cough and chest pain.
  • Tear- chloroacetophenone “Bird cherry” (so named for its characteristic odor, bromobenzyl cyanide and chloropicrin.
  • Tearing occurs at a concentration of 0.002 mg/l; at 0.01 mg/l it becomes intolerable and is accompanied by irritation of the skin of the face and neck. At a concentration of 0.08 mg/l and exposure time of 1 minute. a person is incapacitated for 15-30 minutes. ; a concentration of 10-11 mg/l is lethal. Does not affect the eyes of animals.
  • Sneeze agents
  • This group includes agents DM (adamsite), DA (diphenylchloroarsine) and DC (diphenylcyanarsine)
  • The defeat is accompanied by uncontrollable sneezing, coughing and chest pain.
  • Associated phenomena such as nausea, urge to vomit, headache and pain in the jaws and teeth, and a feeling of pressure in the ears indicate damage to the paranasal sinuses.
  • In severe cases, damage to the respiratory tract is possible, leading to toxic pulmonary edema.
  • Agent of psychochemical action
  • representative: Lysergic acid dimethylamide, Bi-Z (BZ)
  • Lysergic acid dimethylamide. If it enters the human body, mild nausea and dilated pupils appear within 3 minutes, and then hallucinations of hearing and vision that last for several hours.
  • Bi-Z (BZ)
  • When exposed to low concentrations, drowsiness and decreased combat effectiveness occur.
  • When exposed to high concentrations, at the initial stage, rapid heartbeat, dry skin and dry mouth, dilated pupils and a decrease in combat effectiveness are observed for several hours.
  • Over the next 8 hours, numbness and speech inhibition occur.
  • This is followed by a period of excitement, lasting up to 4 days. In 2-3 days. after exposure to 0V, a gradual return to normal begins.
  • end

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