Chemicals act according to type. Classification of chemical warfare agents

Toxic substances are poisonous chemical compounds that serve to defeat enemy forces during war. They have a number of physical and chemical properties, due to which in a combat situation they can be in a liquid, aerosol or vapor state and are the basis of chemical mass destruction). Agents penetrate into various open rooms, shelters or structures and affect living organisms that are located there, maintaining their effect for certain period time after their use.

Chemical warfare agents enter the human body in several ways: through the skin, respiratory or digestive organs, and mucous membranes. Moreover, the degree and nature of the damage depend on the routes of penetration into the body, the rate of distribution throughout it and removal from it, as well as on the mode of action toxic substances And individual characteristics human body.

To date, there is no specific classification of these substances. Of greatest importance are:

1. Physiological classification (according to the effect on the body). These include unstable toxic substances, persistent and toxic-smoky agents.

a) unstable OM - capable of contaminating the atmosphere, they form a vapor cloud that spreads throughout and dissipates quite quickly.

b) persistent agents - liquid substances that create a cloud that is contaminated with an aerosol. Some of the chemicals settle in the form of dew on the surrounding area.

c) smoky agents - used in the form of various smokes and consist of

2. Tactical classification (based on behavior on the ground). This includes lethal toxic substances that incapacitate for a certain period of time and irritate agents.

a) lethal action - serve to eliminate living organisms.

b) incapacitating - serve to create a mental disorder in people.

V) irritants- serve to exhaust people.

Also, by the nature of the impact on human body highlight:

1. Nerve agents (sarin, VX, soman) - contain phosphorus and are therefore highly toxic. They have the ability to accumulate and affect the human nervous system whenever they enter the body. These are colorless, odorless liquids that dissolve well in natural solvents, but least of all in water.

2. Poisonous agents (phosphine, arsine, hydrocyanic acid) - disrupt tissue respiration, stopping it oxidative processes. These substances enter the body through the respiratory system and gastrointestinal tract.

3. Asphyxiants (chloropicrin, diphosgene and phosgene) - affect the lung tissue and upper respiratory tract, causing suffocation and death.

4. Irritating toxic substances (CS, dibenzoxazepine, chloroacetophenone) - contributes to irritation of the mucous membranes of the respiratory system and eyes. Used in aerosol form, causing burns, respiratory paralysis, and death.

5. Blistering agents (lewisite, mustard gas) - enter the body through the skin and mucous membrane, causing poisoning and the formation of ulcers at points of contact with the skin.

6. Psychogenic substances (OB, BZ) - cause psychosis and physical disorders by interrupting neuromuscular transmission impulses.

7. Toxins (botulinum, staphylococcal enteroxin) - cause paralysis of the central nervous system, vomiting, poisoning of the body.

Thus, to date, almost all types of toxic substances have been studied. All of them are capable of affecting the human body, causing its poisoning. For timely protection, it is important to quickly detect the agent, establish its type and concentration. Only then can you achieve high results when providing medical care to victims during hostilities.

Purpose and combat properties chemical weapons. Classification of toxic substances. Main types of toxic substances. Basic properties toxic substances, nature of contamination of objects, methods of detection

1. Purpose and combat properties of chemical weapons

Chemical weapons are toxic substances and means of their combat use.

Chemical weapons are intended to defeat and exhaust the enemy's manpower in order to impede (disorganize) the activities of his troops and rear facilities. It can be used by aviation, missile forces, artillery, engineering troops.

Poisonous substances are toxic chemical compounds intended for mass casualties manpower, contamination of the area, weapons and military equipment.

Toxic substances form the basis of chemical weapons.

At the time of combat use, chemical agents can be in vapor, aerosol and droplet-liquid states.

Agents used to contaminate the ground layer of air are converted into a vapor and fine aerosol state (smoke, fog). OM in the form of vapor and fine aerosol, carried by the wind, affects manpower not only in the area of ​​application, but also at a considerable distance. The depth of OM distribution in rough and wooded areas is 1.5-3 times less than in open areas. Hollows, ravines, forests and shrubs can be places where organic matter stagnates and the direction of its distribution changes.

To infect terrain, weapons and military equipment, uniforms, equipment and the skin of people, agents are used in the form of coarse aerosols and droplets. The terrain, weapons and military equipment and other objects contaminated in this way are a source of destruction for people. Under these conditions, personnel will be forced long time, due to the resistance of the chemical agent, to be in protective equipment, which will reduce the combat effectiveness of the troops.

Agents can enter the body through the respiratory system, through wound surfaces, mucous membranes and skin. When contaminated food and water are consumed, the penetration of OM occurs through the gastrointestinal tract. Most chemical agents are cumulative, i.e., have the ability to accumulate a toxic effect.

2. Classification of toxic substances

According to their tactical purpose, agents are divided into four groups: lethal agents; temporarily incapacitating manpower; annoying and educational.

Based on the speed of onset of the damaging effect, they are distinguished: fast-acting agents; agents that do not have a period of latent action and are slow-acting; having a period of latent action.

Depending on the duration of preservation of the damaging ability, lethal agents are divided into two groups:
- persistent agents that retain their damaging effect for several hours and days;
- unstable agents, the damaging effect of which lasts only a few tens of minutes after their use. Some agents, depending on the method and conditions of use, can behave as persistent or unstable agents.

Deadly agents used to kill or incapacitate manpower for a long period of time include: GB (sarin), GD (soman), VX (Vi-X), HD (distilled mustard gas), HN (nitrogen mustard), AC ( hydrocyanic acid), CK (cyanchloride), CG (phosgene).

CLASSIFICATION OF AGENTS ACCORDING TO PHYSIOLOGICAL EFFECT ON THE HUMAN BODY

OB groups

Nervous agents

Blisters

Generally poisonous

Suffocating

Psychochemical

Annoying

Hydrocyanic acid

Chlorcyanide

Chloroacetophenone

3. Main types of toxic substances. Basic properties of toxic substances, nature of infection and detection methods

Nerve agents

Sarin (GB-GAS), Soman (GD-GAS), V-X (VX-GAS), which affects the nervous system, enter the body through the respiratory system, skin and digestive tract. In addition, they cause severe constriction of the pupils of the eyes (miosis). To protect against them, you need not only a gas mask, but also personal protective equipment for your skin.

Sarin is a volatile, colorless or yellowish liquid with almost no odor. Doesn't freeze in winter. It is miscible with water and organic solvents in any ratio and is highly soluble in fats. It is resistant to water, so it can be used to contaminate water sources for a long time. At ordinary temperatures it is quickly destroyed by solutions of alkalis and ammonia. When it comes into contact with human skin, uniforms, shoes, wood and other porous materials, as well as food, sarin is quickly absorbed into them.

The effect of sarin on the human body develops quickly, without a period of latent action. When exposed to lethal doses, the following are observed: constriction of the pupils (miosis), salivation, difficulty breathing, vomiting, loss of coordination of movements, loss of consciousness, attacks of severe convulsions, paralysis and death. Non-lethal doses of sarin cause damage varying degrees severity depending on the dose received. With a small dose, temporary blurred vision (miosis) and chest tightness occur.

Under average meteorological conditions, sarin vapors can spread downwind up to 20 km from the place of application.

Soman is a colorless and almost odorless liquid, its properties very similar to sarin; acts on the human body like sarin, but is 5-10 times more toxic.

The means of application, detection and degassing of soman, as well as the means of protection against it, are the same as for the use of sarin.

The peculiarity of soman is that it contaminates the area for a longer period than sarin. Danger fatal defeat in areas contaminated with soman, it persists in the summer for up to 10 hours (in places where ammunition explodes - up to 30 hours), in the winter - up to 2-3 days, and the danger of temporary vision damage persists in the summer - up to 2-4 days, in the winter - up to 2-3 weeks Soman vapors in dangerous concentrations can spread downwind tens of kilometers from the place of application. Weapons and military equipment contaminated with soman drops can be used without skin protection after degassing, but pose a risk of injury through the respiratory system.

VX-GAS is a slightly volatile, colorless liquid that is odorless and does not freeze in winter. An area infected with VX remains dangerous for damage in the summer for up to 7-15 days, and in the winter - for the entire period before the onset of heat. VX contaminates water for a very long time. The main combat state of VX is aerosol. Aerosols infect surface layers of air and spread in the direction of the wind to a considerable depth (up to 5-20 km); they infect manpower through the respiratory system, exposed skin and ordinary summer army uniforms, and also infect the terrain, weapons, military equipment and open bodies of water. Impregnated clothing reliably protects against VX aerosols. The toxicity of VX through the respiratory system is 10 times higher than sarin, and in a droplet-liquid state through bare skin - hundreds of times. For fatal damage through exposed skin and when ingested with water and food, 2 mg of OM is sufficient. Respiratory symptoms are similar to those caused by sarin. In case of aerosol damage

VX through the skin, symptoms of poisoning may not appear immediately, but after some time - up to several hours. In this case, muscle twitching appears at the site of contact with the agent, followed by convulsions, muscle weakness and paralysis. In addition, difficulty breathing, drooling, central depression may occur. nervous system.

The presence of nerve agents in the air, on the ground, in weapons and military equipment is detected using chemical reconnaissance devices (an indicator tube with a red ring and a dot) and gas detectors. AP-1 indicator film is used to detect VX aerosols.

Toxic substances vesicant action

The main agent for blister action is mustard gas. Technical (H-GAS) and distillation (purified) mustard gas (HD-GAS) are used.

Mustard gas (distilled) is a colorless or light yellow liquid with a faint odor, heavier than water. At temperatures around 14°C it freezes. Technical mustard gas has a dark brown color and a strong odor reminiscent of garlic or mustard. In air, mustard gas evaporates slowly. It dissolves poorly in water; It dissolves well in alcohol, gasoline, kerosene, acetone and other organic solvents, as well as in various oils and fats. Easily absorbs into wood, leather, fabrics and paint.

Mustard gas decomposes slowly in water, retaining its properties for a long time damaging properties; decomposition occurs faster when heated. Aqueous solutions calcium hypochlorites destroy mustard gas. Mustard gas has a multifaceted effect. It affects the skin and eyes, respiratory tract and lungs. If it enters the gastrointestinal tract with food and water at a dose of 0.2 g, it causes fatal poisoning. Mustard gas has a period of latent action and a cumulative effect.

The presence of mustard gas vapor is determined using an indicator tube (one yellow ring) using chemical reconnaissance devices VPKhR and PPKhR.

Generally poisonous substances

Generally poisonous substances entering the body disrupt the transfer of oxygen from the blood to the tissues. This is one of the fastest acting agents. Generally toxic agents include hydrocyanic acid (AC-GAS) and cyanogen chloride (CK-GAS).

Hydrocyanic acid is a colorless, rapidly evaporating liquid with the odor of bitter almonds. In open areas it quickly evaporates (in 10-15 minutes); Does not affect metals and fabrics. It can be used in large-caliber chemical aerial bombs. In combat conditions, it affects the body only when inhaling contaminated air, affecting the circulatory and central nervous systems. When inhaling hydrocyanic acid vapor, a metallic taste appears in the mouth, throat irritation, dizziness, weakness, and a feeling of fear. In case of severe poisoning, the symptoms intensify and, in addition, painful shortness of breath appears, the pulse slows down, the pupils dilate, loss of consciousness occurs, severe convulsions appear, and involuntary separation of urine and feces occurs. At this stage, convulsive muscle tension is replaced by complete relaxation, breathing becomes shallow; this stage ends with respiratory arrest, cardiac paralysis and death.

Cyanogen chloride is a colorless, more volatile than hydrocyanic acid, liquid with a sharp unpleasant smell. In its toxic properties, cyanogen chloride is similar to hydrocyanic acid, but unlike it, it also irritates the upper respiratory tract and eyes.

Hydrocyanic acid (cyanchloride) is detected using an indicator tube with three green rings using VPHR and PPHR devices.

Asphyxiating agents

The main representative of this group of agents is phosgene (CG-GAS).

Phosgene is a colorless gas, heavier than air, with an odor reminiscent of rotten hay or rotten fruit. Poorly soluble in water, well in organic solvents. It has no effect on metals in the absence of moisture; in the presence of moisture it causes rusting.

Phosgene is a typical unstable agent used for air contamination. The cloud of contaminated air formed when ammunition explodes can retain its damaging effect for no more than 15-20 minutes; in forests, ravines and other places sheltered from the wind, contaminated air may stagnate and the damaging effect may persist for up to 2-3 hours.

Phosgene affects the respiratory system, causing acute pulmonary edema. This leads to a sharp disruption in the supply of air oxygen to the body and ultimately leads to death.

The first signs of damage (mild eye irritation, lacrimation, dizziness, general weakness) disappear when leaving the contaminated atmosphere - a period of latent action begins (4-5 hours), during which the damage develops lung tissue. Then the condition of the affected person sharply worsens: cough, blue lips and cheeks, headache, shortness of breath and suffocation appear. There is an increase in body temperature to 39°C. Death occurs in the first two days from pulmonary edema. At high concentrations of phosgene (>40 g/m3), death occurs almost instantly.

Phosgene is detected by an indicator tube with three green rings by VPHR and PPHR devices.

Psychochemical toxic substances

Agents that temporarily incapacitate manpower appeared relatively recently. These include psycho chemical substances, which act on the nervous system and cause mental disorders. Currently, the psychochemical agent is a substance with the code Bi-Z (BZ-Riot).

Bi-Z (BZ-Riot) - crystalline substance white, without smell. Combat state - aerosol (smoke). It is transferred to a combat state by thermal sublimation. BZ is equipped with aviation chemical bombs, cassettes, bombs. Unprotected people are affected through the respiratory system and gastrointestinal tract. The period of latent action is 0.5-3 hours depending on the dose. When BZ is affected, the functions of the vestibular apparatus are disrupted and vomiting begins. Subsequently, for approximately 8 hours, numbness and speech inhibition appear, after which a period of hallucinations and excitement begins. BZ aerosols, spreading with the wind, settle on the terrain, uniforms, weapons and military equipment, causing their persistent contamination.

Detection of BZ in the atmosphere is carried out by military chemical reconnaissance devices VPKhR and PPKhR using indicator tubes with one brown ring.

Toxic substances irritating effect

Irritating agents include adamsite (DM), chloroacetophenone (CN-Riot), CS (CS-Riot) and CP (CR-Riot). Irritating agents are used mainly for police purposes. These chemicals cause eye and respiratory irritation. Highly toxic irritating agents, for example, CS and CR, can be used in a combat situation to exhaust enemy personnel.

CS (CS-Riot) is a white or light yellow crystalline substance, moderately soluble in water, highly soluble in acetone and benzene, at low concentrations it irritates the eyes (10 times stronger than chloroacetophenone) and the upper respiratory tract, at high concentrations it causes burns of exposed skin and respiratory paralysis. At concentrations of 5.10-3 g/m3, personnel fail instantly. Symptoms of damage: burning and pain in the eyes and chest, lacrimation, runny nose, cough. When leaving the contaminated atmosphere, the symptoms gradually disappear within 1-3 hours. CS can be used in the form of an aerosol (smoke) using aircraft bombs and cassettes, artillery shells, mines, aerosol generators, hand grenades and cartridges. Combat use carried out in the form of recipes. Depending on the recipe, it remains in place for 14 to 30 days.

CR (CR-Riot) is an irritating agent, much more toxic than CS. This solid, slightly soluble in water. Has a strong irritant effect on human skin.

The means of application, signs of damage and protection are the same as for CS.

Toxins

Toxins are chemical substances of protein nature of microbial, plant or animal origin that, when they enter the human or animal body, can cause disease and death. The US Army regularly supplies the substances XR (X-Ar - botulinum toxin) and PG (P-G - staphylococcal enterotoxin), which are new highly toxic agents.

Substance XR is a botulinum toxin of bacterial origin, when it enters the body, it causes severe damage to the nervous system. Belongs to the class of lethal agents. XR is a fine white to yellowish-brown powder that dissolves easily in water. Used in the form of aerosols by aviation, artillery or missiles, it easily penetrates the human body through the mucous surfaces of the respiratory tract, digestive tract and eyes. It has a hidden period of action from 3 hours to 2 days. Signs of damage appear suddenly and begin with a feeling of severe weakness, general depression, nausea, vomiting, and constipation. 3-4 hours after the onset of symptoms of the lesion, dizziness appears, the pupils dilate and stop responding to light. Vision is blurry, often double vision. The skin becomes dry, there is a dry mouth and a feeling of thirst, severe pain in the stomach. Difficulties arise in swallowing food and water, speech becomes slurred, and the voice becomes weak. For non-fatal poisoning, recovery occurs within 2-6 months.

The substance PG - staphylococcal enterotoxin - is used in the form of aerosols. It enters the body through inhaled air and contaminated water and food. Has a hidden period of action of several minutes. Symptoms of the infection are similar to food poisoning. Initial signs lesions: salivation, nausea, vomiting. Severe abdominal pain and watery diarrhea. Highest degree of weakness. Symptoms last 24 hours, during which time the affected person is incapacitated.

First aid for toxin damage. Stop the entry of the toxin into the body (put on a gas mask or respirator when in a contaminated atmosphere, rinse the stomach if poisoned by contaminated water or food), take it to a medical center and provide qualified medical care.

The most important ones are usually used as the basis for classifying agents. characteristic properties, inherent in a number of substances, which according to these characteristics are combined into certain groups. The division of OM into groups characterized by the commonality of certain properties and characteristics forms the basis for various classifications.

The most common is the toxicological (clinical) classification, according to which all chemical agents, depending on the characteristics of their toxic effect on the body, are divided into seven groups:

1. Nerve agents (nerve gases): sarin, soman, V-gases (V-gases).

2. Blistering agent (vesicants): mustard gas, nitrogen mustard gas, lewisite.

3. Generally toxic agents: hydrocyanic acid, cyanogen chloride.

4. Asphyxiating agents: chlorine, phosgene, diphosgene.

5. Tear agents (lacrimators): chloroacetophenone, bromobenzyl cyanide, chloropicrin.

6. Irritating agents (sternites): diphenylchloroarsine, diphenylcyanarsine, adamsite, CS, CR.

7. Psychotomimetic agents: lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD-25), glycolic acid derivatives (BZ).

According to the nature of the losses caused Agents are divided into: destroying the enemy (sarin, soman, vi - gases (V-gases), mustard gas, nitrogen mustard, lewisite, hydrocyanic acid, cyanogen chloride, chlorine, phosgene, diphosgene) and temporarily incapacitating (chloroacetophenone, bromobenzyl cyanide, chloropicrin, diphenylchloroarsine, diphenylcyanarsine, adamsite, CS, CR, lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD-25), glycolic acid derivatives (BZ)).

According to the duration of the infecting effect on: persistent (long-lasting) substances with high temperature boiling (over 150 0 C), they slowly evaporate and contaminate the area and objects for a long time - (sarin, soman, vigases, mustard gas and lewisite) and unstable (short-acting) - substances with a low boiling point, quickly evaporate and contaminate the area on a short time up to 1-2 hours – (phosgene, diphosgene, hydrocyanic acid, cyanogen chloride).

By toxicokinetic (damaging) action, depending on the speed of development of the clinical lesion into: fast-acting (FOV, hydrocyanic acid, psychotomimetics) and slow-acting (mustard gases and phosgenes).

By physical (aggregate) state are divided into: vapors, aerosols, liquids and solids.

According to chemical structure poisonous substances are organic compounds different classes:

P organophosphorus compounds– sarin, soman, V-gases, binary FOV;

P halogenated sulfides– mustard gas and its analogues;

P arsenic-containing substances(arsines) – lewisite, adamsite, diphenylchloroarsine;

P halogenated carbonic acid derivatives– phosgene, diphosgene;

P nitriles– hydrocyanic acid, cyanogen chloride, CS;

P derivatives benzyl acid(benzilates) - BZ.

By practical application are divided into:

1. Industrial poisons used in production: organic solvents, fuels, dyes, chemicals, plasticizers and others.

2. Pesticides: chlorophos, hexochlorane, granosan, sevin, and others.

3. Medicines.

4. Household chemicals: acetic acid, care product for clothes, shoes, furniture, cars and others.

5. Biological plant and animal poisons.

6. Chemical warfare agents.

By degree of toxicity are divided into: extremely toxic, highly toxic, moderately toxic, and non-toxic toxic substances.

In the US and NATO armies, toxic substances are divided into serviceable and limited serviceable (spare). Standard chemical agents that are most likely to be used on a mass scale include sarin, V-gases, binary OPA, mustard gas, CS, CR, phosgene, BZ. The remaining OVs are classified as limited personnel.

Medical and tactical characteristics of chemical outbreaks

The source of a chemical attack is an area with people, water and atmosphere on it that has been exposed to toxic substances.

When performing a medical-tactical characterization of the focus of a chemical lesion, the following are assessed: the size of the chemical lesion, the type and durability of the agent, the method of its application, weather conditions(temperature, speed and direction of the wind), the time during which the danger of injury to personnel and the population remains, the routes of entry of chemical agents into the body and their damaging effect, the estimated number of sanitary losses, the probable period of death due to poisoning lethal doses, availability of protective equipment, organization of chemical reconnaissance, notification of the “chemical alarm” signal and anti-chemical protection.

The size of the source of chemical damage depends on the power of the chemical strike, the enemy, the means and methods of using chemical agents, their type and state of aggregation.

In accordance with the medical-tactical classification, the following types of chemical foci (variants) are distinguished:

The lesion site of persistent fast-acting chemical agents is formed by V-gases during inhalation, as well as sarin and soman;

The lesion site of persistent slow-acting agents is formed by V-gases and mustard gas when entering through the skin;

The lesion site of unstable fast-acting agents is formed by hydrocyanic acid, cyanogen chloride, and chloroacetophenone;

The focus of damage from unstable slow-acting agents is formed by BZ, phosgene, diphosgene.

Sanitary losses personal in a chemical outbreak, as a rule, will be massive, especially among civilian population, if not the entire population is provided with protective equipment (including children, the sick, etc.). Foci of highly toxic agents with rapid lethal action are especially dangerous. IN chemical outbreaks There will be fewer other OBs affected, but they will also be numerous. Sanitary losses in chemical outbreaks will occur almost simultaneously, within a few minutes. Those affected will be in the contaminated area, under constant threat of even greater poisoning. Anyone affected will require emergency health care, rapid evacuation from an infected outbreak, and up to 30-40% urgent Care according to vital indications. For those affected by persistent agents, it is necessary to carry out a complete sanitization, since the skin and clothing will be contaminated. Medical personnel in the affected area must work in protective equipment, which significantly complicates and slows down their work. Contaminated food and water become dangerous to consume. Persistent agents contaminate the territory for a long time, paralyzing the normal life of people.



Toxic substances are chemical compounds with high degree toxicity, which are used as chemical weapons. Their special properties consist in the possibility of using territory, food and military equipment to infect, as well as tactically defeat the enemy. These chemical compounds penetrate into the human body through the digestive tract, respiratory system, skin pores and mucous membranes.

Review of the most dangerous toxic substances

Chemical weapons created on the basis of toxic substances (CA) were actively used during the First World War. The massive use of chemical warfare agents (CWA) has officially ceased since 1997, although behind the scenes research in this area continues. Data on new developments are under the control of intelligence services and rarely become publicly available. Among the chemical agents that have received publicity, the most dangerous drugs are those from the following list:

VX, V-Ex, V-X, V-gas	A group of chemical compounds with nerve paralytic (neurotoxic) properties. For a long time it was considered the most toxic of all chemical agents invented by man. Externally, vi-gas resembles a thick, oily, transparent liquid with a high degree of volatility. Inhalation of the gas causes death after just a quarter of an hour; when the poison comes into contact with the skin, its effect slows down to several hours. When spread to the surrounding area, it persists for 1–2 weeks. The most famous case of use is associated with the assassination of the brother of Kim Jong-un, the ruler of the DPRK, in 2017.
Chlorine	One of the first BOVs used during the First World War. It is a pulmonary toxic gas and if it enters the lungs it causes severe burn tissue and suffocation. Moreover, it is an important biogenic element, found in all living organisms on the planet. The most famous case of use is the Battle of Ypres in 1915, the beginning of the massive use of chemical weapons (mustard gas) during hostilities.
Sarin	A transparent liquid with nerve paralytic properties, easily soluble in water. It can survive on the territory for up to 4 hours after spreading. At moderate lethal concentrations it leads to fatal outcome one minute after inhalation or skin contact. Sarin was used during the terrorist attack on the Tokyo subway in 1994, as well as during a military operation in Syria (2013).
Soman	A clear liquid with nerve-paralytic properties, has the smell of apples or freshly cut hay. More toxic (2.5 times) and more persistent analogue of sarin. There have been no officially known cases of use.
Cyclosarin	A nerve agent, 4 times more toxic than sarin. It is a colorless liquid with a sweetish odor reminiscent of the aroma of peaches. Permitted for production, storage and use for research, but not for military purposes.
Phosgene	A toxic, asphyxiating gas with a specific odor reminiscent of rotten hay. It belongs to the category of asphyxiating chemical agents; after a quarter of an hour, the lethal concentration leads to pulmonary edema and death. Extremely dangerous, but only in contact with the respiratory system. Phosgene was widely used during combat operations at the beginning of the last century.
Adamsite	A yellow powder, it was used in the form of aerosols during the First World War. It affects only the respiratory tract, leading to severe irritation and suffocation. High concentration This substance causes death within a minute after contact.
Hydrocyanic acid	An extremely volatile, toxic liquid with the odor of bitter almonds. Causes tissue hypoxia internal organs, leads to death after a quarter of an hour. Used in 1916 on the Somme River, by the Nazis in concentration camps, as well as in US prisons during the execution of sentences death penalty up to 1999.
Newbie	It belongs to the third generation of chemical weapons and consists of relatively harmless components, or precursors. When they are combined, chemical warfare agents with a high degree of toxicity are formed. According to some reports, during the Foliant program in the USSR, a toxic substance with binary properties was developed by a group of researchers, but the exact data about it refers to state secret. Novichok gained fame in 1995 in the poisoning of Russian banker Ivan Kivelidi (the poison was applied to a telephone receiver), and in 2018 he appeared in the Skripal case.
Polonium-210	Extremely toxic, carcinogenic and radiotoxic substance. 4 trillion times more toxic than hydrocyanic acid. It affects the liver, kidneys, spleen, bone marrow, and with tactile contact leads to radiation damage to the skin and all internal organs. It is not used as a chemical weapon, but gained fame in the poisoning of Russian state security lieutenant colonel Alexander Litvinenko in 2006.

Types and classification of toxic substances

The generally accepted physiological classification of toxic substances identifies 7 main categories, taking into account the specifics of their effects on humans:

Nerve agents	Organic compounds related to derivatives phosphoric acids. This group of pesticides is considered the most toxic: if you open a test tube with such a compound for a few seconds, holding your breath, you can die - the gas will penetrate through the pores of the skin and enter the blood. This effect of the poison is called resorptive. This group includes Sarin, Soman, V-gas. Nerve paralytic toxic substances are distinguished by their ability to inhibit the activity of enzymes and cause the accumulation of acetylcholine in the tissues, which is responsible for nervous excitement and the performance of many vital organs.
Suffocating	Chemical compounds that affect the respiratory system and lead to a severe form of toxic shock. The most well-known asphyxiating agents are diphosgene and phosgene.
Blisters	Chemical warfare agents that cause inflammatory processes in the skin and mucous membranes, and subsequently lead to their necrosis and destruction. Mustard gas and lewisite fall into this category.
Psychochemical	A category of substances that can cause conditions resembling acute psychosis in clinical manifestations. A single exposure to chemical agents leads to various mental changes, from mild disturbances to complete mental disorder. The most famous are BZ (bizet), amphetamine, DLC.
Generally poisonous	BOV, characterized by the absence of local symptoms. The routes of their penetration into the body do not affect the localization of the consequences of toxic damage - the toxin becomes the cause of general poisoning. Among the most common representatives of the category, it is worth noting cyanogen bromide, cyanogen chloride, and hydrocyanic acid.
Lachrymators	Agents that irritate the membranes of the eyes. Sometimes they are also called tear bombs. These chemical compounds cause irritation of the endings of the trigeminal nerve, stimulation of the muscles of the eyelids and lacrimal glands. As a result, as a defensive reaction, the victim begins to experience uncontrollable lacrimation, and the muscles of the eyelids spasm. The category includes chloroacetophenone, chloropicrin, bromoacetone.
Sternites	Category chemical compounds, which penetrate the human body through inhalation, settle on the mucous membranes of the respiratory tract and provoke severe irritation. It is manifested by coughing and sneezing, and subsequently by intense, uncontrollable vomiting. Among the known sternites are adamsite and diphenylcyanarsine. They were actively used during the First World War, received common name « blue cross"due to the labeling used at that time.

Sometimes lachrymators and sternites are combined into general group– toxic irritating substances, or irritants. A number of researchers also highlight the following groups toxic substances:

1. Algogens, or pain agents, are compounds that, when they come into contact with the skin, cause hyperemia and severe pain that persist for several hours. Among them are capsaicin, methoxycycloheptatriene, dibenzoxazepine.
2. Emetics, or emetic agents. Their toxic effect mainly affects the functioning of the digestive tract, regardless of the method of entry of the toxin into the body. These include phenylimidophosgene and ethylcarbazole.
3. Malodorants are chemical agents characterized by a sharp, extremely unpleasant odor. They have a moderate or low degree of toxicity and are usually included in mixtures with irritants (for example, in the Israeli drug Skunk).

Depending on the speed of action, in toxicology the following types of toxic substances are distinguished:

• fast-acting - Soman, Sarin, V-gas;
• slow-acting (with a latent period) - lewisite, adamsite, phosgene.

Protection against toxic substances

Since the first use of chemical warfare agents, methods of protection against it have been developed and improved. The degree of damage caused by these compounds depends on the qualifications, training and security of the person. The use of chemical agents for combat purposes leads to death in 5–70% of cases. Among civilians, the mortality rate may be much higher.

Defence from toxic substances depends on following principles:

1. Measures for indication and detection, disinfection of the area.
2. The use of personal protective equipment - gauze bandages, gas masks, self-contained breathing apparatus, rubberized suits.
3. The use of drugs to protect exposed skin areas - antidotes, special creams with filtering and protective properties.
4. Use of collective protective equipment.

The low effectiveness of chemical weapons and the negative assessment from the world community have led to cases of use chemical warfare agents are rare, and are mainly associated with terrorist activities. However, their danger lies in the fact that a number of compounds are actively used in industry and can be released into the atmosphere due to careless handling or an industrial accident.

First aid for poisoning

When the first signs of damage appear toxic substances the victim must be provided with first aid. Symptoms of intoxication may vary depending on the type of specific poison. Employees industrial enterprises those using chemical agents during their activities should be aware of necessary measures upon arrival emergency situation, equipped with protective equipment and appropriate medications.

Severe forms of intoxication chemical warfare agents, as a rule, are fatal, so it is impossible to help the victims in this case. First aid with mild and medium degree OB damage is carried out according to the following algorithm:

1. Put a gas mask on the victim or replace damaged personal protective equipment with a working one. If the victim is in the area of ​​direct action of the agent, pre-treat the facial skin with liquid from an individual chemical package.
2. In case of damage to the respiratory organs by a suffocating BOV - ensure the immobility of the victims; in the cold season - to warm. It is prohibited to perform artificial respiration - this will lead to intoxication of the person providing assistance.
3. In case of contact with a generally poisonous agent, crush the ampoule with the antidote and put it inside the gas mask. If you are suffocating, perform artificial respiration.
4. If nerve gas poisoning occurs, it is necessary to put a gas mask on the victim and administer an antidote from the first aid kit subcutaneously or intramuscularly. Treat the skin additionally with a chemical package solution.
5. If a person comes into contact with a psychochemical, blister or irritant agent, it is necessary to wash the skin and mucous membranes with soapy water and clean clothes with a brush.

After providing first aid, immediate evacuation of victims from the area of ​​exposure to chemical agents is necessary.

Poisonous substances - toxic chemical compounds that have certain physical and chemical properties that make it possible to use them in combat for the purpose of destroying manpower, contaminating terrain and military equipment.

Toxic substances form the basis of chemical weapons. Being in a combat state, they infect the human body, penetrating through the respiratory system, skin and wounds from fragments of chemical ammunition. In addition, a person can be injured as a result of consuming contaminated food and water, as well as when exposed to chemical agents on the mucous membranes of the eyes and nasopharynx.

Combat state OB – this state of a substance in which it is used on the battlefield in order to achieve maximum effect in defeating manpower. Types of combat agents: steam, aerosol, drops. The qualitative differences in these combat states are determined mainly by the particle sizes of the crushed agent.

Steam formed by molecules or atoms of a substance.

Aerosols are heterogeneous (inhomogeneous) systems consisting of solid or liquid particles of matter suspended in the air. Particles of the substance measuring 10 -6 –10 -3 cm form finely dispersed, practically non-settling aerosols; Particles 10 -2 cm in size form coarse aerosols, and therefore, in the gravitational field, they settle relatively quickly on various surfaces.

Drops – larger particles measuring 0.5. 10 -1 cm and above, which, unlike coarse aerosols, settle (fall on the surface) quickly.

Agents in the state of vapor or fine aerosol contaminate the air and affect living forces through the respiratory system (inhalation damage). A quantitative characteristic of air contamination by vapors and fine aerosols is mass concentrationWITH – amount of OM per unit volume of contaminated air (g/m3).

Agents in the form of a coarse aerosol or droplets contaminate the terrain, military equipment, uniforms, protective equipment, water bodies and are capable of infecting unprotected personnel both at the moment of settling of a cloud of contaminated air, and after the sedimentation of particles of agent due to their evaporation from contaminated surfaces, as well as upon contact personnel with these surfaces and when consuming contaminated food and water. A quantitative characteristic of the degree of contamination of various surfaces is infection density Qm– the amount of OM located per unit area of ​​the contaminated surface (g/m2).

The quantitative characteristic of contamination of water sources is OM concentration, contained in a unit volume of water (g/m3).

Toxic substances form the basis of chemical weapons.

2 Study question Classification of toxic substances according to their effect on a living organism. Methods of protection against ov.

In the US Army, the most widely used classification is based on the division of known chemical agents according to tactical purpose and physiological effect on the body.

By tactical purpose Agents are divided into groups according to the nature of their damaging effects: lethal, temporarily incapacitating manpower, irritating and educational.

By physiological effect on the body OBs are distinguished:

nerve agent: GA (tabun), GB (sarin), GD (soman), VX (Vi-X);

blister agents: N (technical mustard gas), HD (distilled mustard gas), VT and NO (mustard gas formulations), HN (nitrogen mustard gas);

general toxic action: AC (hydrocyanic acid), SC (cyanchloride);

asphyxiants: CG (phosgene);

psychochemical: BZ (Bi-Z);

irritants: CN (chloroacetophenone), DM (adamsite), CS (C-S), CR (C-R).

All toxic substances, being chemical compounds, have a chemical name, for example: AC - formic acid nitrile; HD – dichlorodiethyl sulfide; CN – phenylchloromethyl ketone. Some chemical agents also received conventional names of various origins, for example: mustard gas, sarin, soman, adamsite, phosgene. In addition, for practical use (for marking ammunition, containers for chemical agents) symbols– ciphers. IN American army OB ciphers, as a rule, consist of two letters (for example, the previously mentioned GB, VX, BZ, CS). Other NATO armies may use other ciphers.

Greatest development in Lately received substances VX, GB, HD, BZ, CS, CR, as well as toxins. Botulinum toxin and staphylococcal enterotoxin can be used as agents.

By speed of onset of destructive action distinguish:

fast-acting agents that do not have a period of latent action, which lead to fatal outcome or loss of combat capability as a result of temporary defeat (GB, GD, AC, CK, CS, CR);

slow-acting agents that have a period of latent action and lead to damage after some time (VX, HD, CG, BZ).

The speed of the damaging effect, for example for VX, depends on the type of combat state and the route of exposure to the body. If in the state of coarse aerosol and droplets the skin-resorptive effect of this agent is slow, then in the state of steam and fine aerosol its inhalation damaging effect is achieved quickly. The speed of action of the agent also depends on the dose that enters the body. At higher doses, the effect of O B appears much faster.

Depending on the duration of preservation of the lethal agent's destructive ability are divided into two groups:

persistent agents that retain their damaging effect for several hours and days (VX, GD, HD);

unstable agents, the damaging effect of which persists for several tens of minutes after their use.

Depending on the method and conditions of use, OB GB can behave as either a persistent or unstable agent. In summer conditions it behaves as an unstable agent, especially when contaminating non-absorbent surfaces, in winter conditions it behaves as a persistent agent.

IN capitalist countries producing chemicals, depending on the level of production they are divided into the following groups:

service OB (produced in large quantities and are in service; in the USA these include VX GB, HD, BZ, CS, CR);

backup OBs ( toxic substances, which are not currently produced, but if necessary can be produced by the chemical industry in sufficient quantities; in the USA, this group includes speakers CG, HN, CN, DM).