In  chemical  warfare  (CW)  operations,  chemical agents can kill or disable personnel by affecting their blood, nerves, eyes, skin, lungs, or stomach. Biological w a r f a r e ( B W ) o p e r a t i o n a g e n t s i n c l u d e microorganisms,  fungi,  toxins,  and  microtoxins  to cause diseases that will kill or produce other casualties. Nuclear weapons produce explosions of great force and heat and release nuclear radiation. Many types of weapons and methods may be used to deliver chemical and biological agents and nuclear bombs.  The  use  of  two  or  more  different  types  of weapons to deliver these agents may be used at the same time.  Missiles  having  long-range  attack  capability provide a means of delivering chemical, biological, and nuclear weapons that can be launched in almost any manner by land, sea, and/or air units. Chemical agents have been placed in projectiles and used effectively. A similar possibility exists with biological  agents;  however,  for  technical  reasons  it appears that the most probable method of delivery is by aerosol. CHEMICAL WARFARE Learning Objectives:   When you finish this chapter, you will be able to— Identify terms used with chemical warfare (CW). Identify types of CW. Identify the effects of CW agents. Identify  self-aid  and  first-aid  methods  for countering nerve, blister, and choking agents. CW  agents  are  used  to  produce  death,  injury, temporary incapacitation, or irritation effects. Broadly speaking,  there  are  two  types  of  antipersonnel agents—casualty and incapacitating. Some of the types of CW agents are described in table 13-1. 13-2 Student Notes: Agent Name Agent Type Physical Properties Physiological Effects Relative Rate of Action Sarin Nerve Colorless odorless, volatile liquid Difficulty breathing, excessive contraction of the pupil of the eye (miosis), blurred vision, headache and nausea leading to respiratory distress, convulsions, and eventually death. Rapid (within minutes) VX Nerve Colorless odorless, low volatility, oily  liquid Difficulty breathing, miosis, blurred vision, headache and nausea leading to respiratory distress, convulsions, and eventually death. Relatively rapid (within 30 minutes) Mustard Blister Garlic odor, medium volatility, oily liquid Blisters or irritates skin, eyes, and lungs. Delayed onset (4-6 hours) Hydrogen cyanide Blood Almond odor, highly volatile gas Prevents the normal transfer of oxygen from the blood to body tissue resulting in respiratory paralysis. Rapid (within minutes) Table 13-1.—Characteristics of Selected CW Agents