medicine, which include individual hygiene,
sanitation, and physical checkups. Report any
illness to medical authorities immediately.
If there is a possibility of contamination by
BW agents, carefully remove your clothes to avoid
spreading any contamination. Take a thorough
soap and water shower as soon as possible. Pay
careful attention to your face and hands. Use a
fingernail brush to remove dirt under your nails.
Frequently brush your teeth and gums, the roof
of your mouth, and your tongue. Dispose of your
contaminated clothing as directed.
The speed with which the deadly effects of
some biological agents take place will require you
to take immediate self-aid and first-aid measures.
CHEMICAL WARFARE
Chemical warfare (CW) agents are those
intended for use in military operations to kill,
injure seriously, or incapacitate people through
physiological effects. Chemical agents used as
weapons of war are almost as old as recorded
history and can be dated from the fifth century
B.C. CW operations in the modern sense were
first used during World War I when the German
army released chlorine gas from large cylinders
into a favorable wind. Although large stocks of
chemical agents were produced and stockpiled
during World War II, none were used. Since the
end of World War II, much effort has been
directed into research and development of
chemical agents. The introduction of nuclear
weapons and the fact that CW agents were not
used in World War II does not exclude the
possibility of their use in future wars. Detection,
protection, and decontamination are the most
important concerns of CW defense.
Characteristics of Chemical Warfare
Chemical warfare has unique characteristics,
and it is not thought of in terms of conventional
warfare. Since chemical warfare is directed
primarily against man, it has obvious tactical
advantages. It does not damage equipment or
other war materials but rather makes them dirty
and renders them unusable. Chemical warfare is
a weapon of surprise. It is capable of traveling
over and around structures as well as penetrating
compartments. Chemical warfare is economical
and is capable of affecting large areas for
relatively small material expenditures. In addition
to its lethal or incapacitating effects, the use of
chemical warfare causes morale and psychological
problems, and its impact on medical and logistic
facilities can be enormous. It also reduces perform-
ance because of defensive measures needed to
combat it.
CW agents can attack the body through the
eyes, nose, mouth, or skin. CW agents produce
almost instantaneous casualties when they enter
the eyes, are breathed through the nose or mouth,
or are ingested. Penetration through the skin is
likely to produce casualties more slowly, although
the presence of open wounds can hasten the
process. Almost any weapons system can be used
to deliver CW agents.
Classification of Chemical Agents
CW agents maybe classified according to their
physical state, tactical use, or physiological
action. They exist as solids, liquids, or gases.
You can also group CW agents according to their
tactical use.
CASUALTY CW AGENTS. Casualty CW
agents are capable of producing serious injury or
death. They include nerve agents, blister agents,
blood agents, and choking agents. The most
important are the nerve agents. They interfere
with the transfer of nerve impulses, thereby
disrupting essential bodily functions, such as
breathing, muscular control, and vision. The
nerve, blood, and choking agents are primarily
killers. The blister agents normally result only in
incapacitation; however, they may cause blindness
and even death through secondary infection.
INCAPACITATING AGENTS. These agents
produce temporary physiological or mental effects
that render individuals incapable of performing
their assigned duties.
RIOT CONTROL AGENTS. These agents,
such as tear gas, produce only temporary irritating
or incapacitating effects when in contact with the
eyes or when inhaled.
Effects of Chemical Warfare Agents
Victims of casualty agents (nerve, blister,
blood, and choking agents) require hospitaliza-
tion. Inhalation of high concentrations of vapor
from these agents or contact with liquid agents,
without prompt medical treatment, will produce
death.
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