The main types of chemical warfare agents. Warfare toxic chemicals

Federal State Educational Institution of Higher Professional Education “Financial Academy under the Government of the Russian Federation”

Essay on life safety on the topic:

"classification of toxic substances according to their effects on the human body"

Student M1-2 groups

Ramirez Quiñones Pavel Orlandovich

Moscow
2008

Table of contents

Introduction

A wide variety of toxic substances (OS) according to the classes of chemical compounds, properties and combat purpose naturally necessitates their classification. It is practically impossible to create a single, universal classification of OM, and there is no need for it. Specialists of various profiles take as the basis of the classification the properties and features of the most characteristic from the point of view of this profile, and therefore the classification compiled, for example, by specialists of the medical service, turns out to be unacceptable for specialists developing means and methods for the destruction of warfare or operational-tactical foundations for the use of chemical weapons.
Over the relatively short history of chemical weapons, the division of OM according to various criteria has appeared and still exists. There are known attempts to classify all agents by active chemical functional groups, by persistence and volatility, by the serviceability of means of application and toxicity, by methods of degassing and treating the affected, by pathological reactions of the body caused by agents. At present, the so-called physiological and tactical classifications of OV have found the greatest distribution.
In this course work, we will consider the essence and principles of classification of the effects of toxic substances on the human body.

1. The concept of poisonous substances and types of their classification

1.1 Concept
Poisonous substances? (OV) - toxic chemical compounds designed to destroy enemy manpower during military operations. Can enter the body through respiratory system , skin and digestive tract. The combat properties (combat effectiveness) of agents are determined by their toxicity (due to the ability to inhibit enzymes or interact with receptors), physicochemical properties (volatility, solubility, resistance to hydrolysis, etc.), the ability to penetrate the biobarriers of warm-blooded animals and overcome protective equipment.
1.2 Tactical classification

According to saturated vapor pressure (

hydrocyanic acid

By the nature of the impact on manpower on:

temporarily incapacitating personnel (chloroacetophenone, quinuclidyl-3-benzilate);

By the speed of the onset of the damaging effect:

fast-acting - do not have a period of latent action (

slow-acting - have a period of latent action (

1.3 Physiological classification
According to the physiological classification, they are divided into:

nerve-paralytic agents (

organophosphorus compounds

general toxic agents:

hydrocyanic acid

blister agents:

nitrogen mustard

agents that irritate the upper respiratory tract or

diphenylchlorarsine

diphenylcyanarsine

eye irritants or

dibenzoxazepine

o-chlorobenzalmalondinitrile

bromobenzyl cyanide

psychochemical agents:

quinuclidyl-3-benzylate

2. The impact of toxic substances on the human body
2.1 Nerve poisons

Currently, military experts consider nerve agents as the most promising for use as lethal agents. This group of poisonous substances includes extremely highly toxic organophosphorus compounds - sarin, soman, V-gases. causing damage to the nervous system, they have a pronounced general toxic effect.
A characteristic property of organophosphorus agents is their cumulative effect, which is especially pronounced during repeated exposure on the first day after the initial contact. The cumulative effect is the accumulation of poison in the body and the changes it causes.

Signs of damage by various poisonous nerve agents are largely similar. The differences lie in the severity of some symptoms.
In those who are easily affected, constriction of the pupils (miosis), a spasm of accommodation, accompanied by a sharp weakening of vision at dusk and under artificial lighting, pain in the eyes, salivation, separation of mucus from the nose, a feeling of heaviness in the chest are observed. In cases of damage through the skin and the digestive tract, constriction of the pupils is often absent, since it is caused by local action or the influx of large doses of OM into the general circulation.
With a moderate lesion, a sharp shortness of breath develops due to narrowing of the lumen of the bronchi, a cyanotic color of the mucous membranes and skin. There is a violation of coordination of movements (shaky gait), often vomiting, frequent urination, diarrhea. Signs of mild damage are more pronounced.
With a severe lesion, clinical-tonic convulsions of a paroxysmal nature occur, severe shortness of breath. Foamy sputum (saliva) comes out of the mouth. The skin and mucous membranes acquire a pronounced cyanotic color. In more severe cases, loss of consciousness and respiratory arrest occurs.
V gases (VX) are highly toxic nerve agents. They are low volatile yellowish liquids, odorless, non-irritating. V-gases dissolve well in organic solvents (gasoline, kerosene, solar oil, dichloroethane and others) and are poorly soluble in water; infect stagnant water bodies for several months; easily absorbed into rubber, wood, paints and varnishes.
V-gases can be used in cannon and rocket artillery chemical projectiles, in chemical aircraft bombs, aircraft pouring devices and chemical land mines.
At the time of application, V-gases are in the form of small droplets (drizzle) and fog (aerosol).
From an infected area, V-gases, together with dust, can pass into the air and enter the respiratory tract, as well as on the skin of people and cause fatal injuries.
Contact with the skin of v-gases in an amount significantly less than one drop causes a fatal injury to a person. To protect against V-gases, it is necessary to wear a gas mask and skin protection (combined-arms protective raincoat OP-1, protective stockings and gloves).
In armament and military equipment, V-gases are degassed with a freshly prepared degassing solution No. 1, as well as aqueous solutions of two-thirds of the calcium hypochlorite salt DTS-GK and decontaminating powder SF-2U (SF-2). Uniforms that are on personnel and contaminated with toxic substances are degassed with an individual anti-chemical package.
Vapors of V-gases are detected using chemical reconnaissance instruments (indicator tube with a red ring and a dot), as well as by means of chemical laboratories,
Sarin (HV) is a colorless volatile liquid (technical yellow sarin) with a boiling point of about 150°C. It freezes at a temperature of about minus 40°C. Sarin is highly soluble in water and organic solvents. Easily sorbed (delayed) on uniforms. It decomposes very slowly in water and can infect stagnant water bodies for a period of about a month. Quickly destroyed by aqueous solutions of alkalis, ammonia water. Skin and uniforms are degassed with an individual anti-chemical package. Degassing of weapons and equipment is not required. A gas mask serves as protection against sarin.
Sarin is a fast acting nerve agent. The concentration of sarin vapor in the air is 0.0005 milligrams per liter when inhaled for 2 minutes. causes constriction of the pupils (miosis) and difficulty breathing (retrosternal effect), and a concentration of 0.06 milligrams per liter - for 2 minutes. is fatal. At the time of use, Sarin is mostly in a vapor state, but droplets may be present at chemical munition explosion sites.
Sarin can be used in chemical rockets, cannon and rocket artillery chemical projectiles, in chemical aerial bombs and chemical land mines.
It is detected with the help of chemical reconnaissance devices (an indicator tube with a red ring and a dot), automatic gas detectors GSP-1M, GSP-11 and means of chemical laboratories.
When providing assistance in case of damage to the nerve agents, it is necessary to:
- give an antidote tablet from AI-2 (nest No. 2);
- immediately put on a gas mask (replace the faulty one); when being in an aerosol cloud of toxic substances, when the smallest droplets of OM get on the face, the skin of the face is first treated with the liquid of an individual anti-chemical package (IPP), then a gas mask is put on;
- carry out partial sanitization of exposed skin areas and partial degassing of clothing with IPP liquid and a PHS bag; artificial respiration according to indications;
- urgently evacuate the affected from the source of chemical contamination.

2.2 Blistering agents

Mustard gas belongs to the group of poisonous substances with blistering action. Mustard gas has a damaging effect both in the drop-liquid and in the vapor state.
Mustard gas (ND, N) can be used in purified form (distilled) and in the form of a technical product (technical). Distilled and industrial mustard gas are light yellow to dark brown oily liquids with a garlic or mustard odor.
Mustard gas boils at a temperature of 217°C, and freezes at temperatures from minus 4°C to minus 14.5°C.
Mustard gas is slightly soluble in water, but readily soluble in organic compounds.
solvents (gasoline, kerosene, benzene, solar oil, dichloroethane, etc.). Mustard gas slowly decomposes in water and can infect stagnant water bodies for a long time (up to 2 months).
Mustard gas causes local inflammatory changes, and also has a general toxic effect. At the time of contact with the OV, there is no pain or other unpleasant sensations. After a few hours of the latent period (2-3 hours with a drop-liquid agent), redness, slight swelling appear on the skin, itching and burning are felt. After 18-24 hours, bubbles form, located along the edge of the redness in the form of a necklace, then the bubbles merge into large bubbles filled with a clear liquid that constantly becomes cloudy. In severe cases, superficial ulcers form at the site of the blisters, and after infection joins, deep ulcers that do not heal for a long time.
When exposed to mustard gas vapors on the eyes, 2-5 hours after the lesion, there is a feeling of slight burning and a foreign body (sand) in the eyes. There is tearing, redness and swelling of the mucous membranes. In severe cases, these signs are more pronounced. Almost simultaneously with irritation of the mucous membranes of the eyes, hoarseness of voice, a feeling of sore throat, soreness behind the sternum, runny nose, dry cough, chest pain, nausea, and general weakness occur.
The general toxic effect of mustard gas is manifested by headache, dizziness, nausea, fever, general depression, apathy, drowsiness.
Armament and equipment contaminated with mustard gas are degassed with degassing solution No. 1, aqueous solutions of DTS-GK or decontaminating powder SF-2U (SF-2). On the ground and engineering structures, mustard gas is degassed with bleach and DTS-GK. On the skin and uniforms, mustard gas is degassed with an individual anti-chemical package.
At the time of application, mustard gas is in a state of vapor, mist and droplets of various sizes.
To protect against mustard gas, a gas mask and skin protection equipment (combined-arms protective raincoat OP-1, protective stockings and gloves) are used.
The smallest dose of mustard gas that causes damage to the skin is about 0.01 milligrams per 1 square centimeter of bare skin. The lethal dose in contact with bare human skin is about 4-5 grams. The concentration of mustard gas vapor in the air is 0.3 milligrams per liter for 2 minutes. is fatal.
Mustard gas can be used in cannon and rocket artillery chemical shells, in chemical mines, aviation chemical bombs, chemical land mines, and also with the help of aviation pouring devices. It is possible to use mustard gas from thermal aerosol (fog) generators.
Mustard gas is detected by chemical reconnaissance devices (indicator tube with a yellow ring) and
means of chemical laboratories.
First aid in case of damage by mustard gas: a gas mask is immediately put on the affected; perform partial sanitization of exposed skin areas and partial degassing of clothing with IPP liquid and PHS bags; then all the affected are taken out (taken out) to an uninfected territory to the preserved hospitals or first aid units.
If the OM enters the stomach with food or water, it is necessary to induce vomiting in the affected person as soon as possible, give him activated charcoal and, as soon as possible, wash the stomach. To do this, the affected person is given to drink 3-5 glasses of water, and then they induce vomiting. So repeat 5 6 times. Then re-give the adsorbent (activated carbon).

2.3 Asphyxiant poisons

Penetrate by inhalation which affects the upper respiratory tract and lung tissue. The main representatives of phosgene and diphosgene.
Diphosgene is a colorless oily liquid with the smell of rotten hay, boiling point 128°C, freezing point minus 57°C.
According to military experts, currently phosgene cannot be considered as an effective means of chemical warfare, since it has low toxicity (30 times less than the toxicity of sarin), a latent period of action and a smell.
Phosgene (SS) is a colorless gas with an odor of rotten hay that liquefies at 8°C. Phosgene freezes at a temperature of about minus 100.0°C.
At the time of application, phosgene is in a state of vapor and does not contaminate uniforms, weapons and equipment.
Vapors of phosgene are 3.5 times heavier than air. Phosgene has limited solubility in organic solvents. Water, aqueous solutions of alkalis, ammonia water easily destroy phosgene (ammonia water can be used to degas phosgene indoors). A gas mask serves as protection against phosgene.
Phosgene has a suffocating effect with a latent period of 4-6 hours. Lethal concentrations of phosgene vapor in the air are 3.0 milligrams per liter when breathing for 2 minutes. Phosgene has cumulative properties (you can get a fatal injury with prolonged inhalation of air containing low concentrations of phosgene vapor). Air containing phosgene vapor can stagnate in ravines, hollows, lowlands, as well as in forests and settlements.
The first signs of a suffocating agent lesion are a sweetish taste in the mouth, a feeling of soreness in the throat, cough, dizziness, and general weakness. there may also be nausea, vomiting, soreness in the pit of the stomach. damage to the mucous membranes of the eyes is not expressed sharply.
After leaving the contaminated area, the effects of the lesion disappear, a latent period of action begins, lasting 6-8 hours. However, already at this time, with hypothermia and muscle tension, cyanosis and shortness of breath appear. Then pulmonary edema, severe shortness of breath, cough, copious sputum, headache, and fever develop and develop. Sometimes there is a more severe form of poisoning - a complete respiratory disorder, a decline in cardiac activity and death.
Phosgene can be used in aviation chemical bombs and mines.
Phosgene is detected by chemical reconnaissance devices (an indicator tube with three green rings) and automatic gas detectors GSP-1M, GSP-11.
First aid. A gas mask is immediately put on the affected person and he is necessarily removed (carried out) from the focus of chemical contamination, regardless of the severity of the condition. Independent movement of the affected person leads to a sharp deterioration in the course of poisoning, the development of pulmonary edema and death. in the cool season, the affected person should be warmly covered and, if possible, warmed. After removal from the focus of chemical contamination, all those affected must be given complete rest and facilitate breathing by unbuttoning collars and clothes, and if possible, remove them.
In case of damage by suffocating agents, artificial respiration cannot be done (due to the presence of pulmonary edema). In the event of complete respiratory arrest, artificial respiration should be performed until natural respiration is restored.

2.4 Poisonous substances of general poisonous action

Poisonous substances of general toxic action - a group of fast-acting volatile agents (hydrocyanic acid, cyanogen chloride, carbon monoxide, arsenic and phosphorous hydrogen) that affect the blood and nervous system. The most toxic, hydrocyanic acid and cyanogen chloride.
Hydrocyanic acid (AC) is a colorless, easily mobile and volatile liquid with an almond odor. The boiling point of hydrocyanic acid is 26.1 ° C, the freezing point is minus 13.9 ° C. At the time of application, hydrocyanic acid is in the form of steam.
Its vapors are lighter than air and in field conditions do not infect uniforms, weapons and equipment. A gas mask serves as protection against hydrocyanic acid.
Hydrocyanic acid is highly soluble in water and infects stagnant water bodies for several days. When affected by hydrocyanic acid, tissues lose their ability to absorb oxygen. In this regard, with a decrease in the required oxygen content in the blood, oxygen starvation develops.
When affected by hydrocyanic acid, there is a smell of bitter almonds, a bitter metallic taste in the mouth, then there is a feeling of numbness of the oral mucosa, throat irritation, nausea, headache, dizziness, weakness. There is a bright pink color of the mucous membranes and skin, dilated pupils, protrusion of the eyeballs, shortness of breath, convulsions. Depression, a feeling of fear and loss of consciousness are noted. Then comes the loss of sensitivity, muscle relaxation, a sharp violation of breathing and cardiac activity. The pulse is frequent, weak, arrhythmic. Breathing is rare, shallow, uneven. Later, breathing stops while the heart is still beating.
In terms of toxicity, hydrocyanic acid is significantly inferior to poisonous nerve agents. The concentration of hydrocyanic acid vapor in the air of 0.8-1.0 milligrams per liter when inhaled for 2 minutes is fatal. Hydrocyanic acid can be used in aviation chemical bombs. Hydrocyanic acid is detected by chemical reconnaissance devices (an indicator tube with three green rings) and automatic gas detectors GSP-1M, GSP-11.
First aid in case of damage by hydrocyanic acid is to put on a gas mask, give an antidote for inhalation and evacuate from the source of infection to a hospital or APM. To give an antidote, you should crush the ampoule in which it is contained and put it under a gas mask. With a sharp weakening or cessation of breathing, artificial respiration is performed and the antidote is re-inhaled.

2.5 Psychogenic poisons

Poisonous substances of psychogenic action - a group of agents that cause temporary psychosis due to a violation of chemical regulation in the central nervous system. Representatives of such agents are substances such as "LSD" (lesergic acid diethylamide) and Bi-Zet. These are colorless crystalline substances, poorly soluble in water, used in an aerosol state. When ingested, they can cause movement disorders, impaired vision and hearing, hallucinations, mental disorders, or completely change the normal picture of human behavior; a state of psychosis similar to that observed in patients with schizophrenia.
B-zed (VC) - white crystalline substance, odorless, withboiling point 320°C. Bized melts at a temperature of about 165 ° C. Water breaks down very slowly. It is destroyed by alcohol solutions of alkalis. Bized is degassed with a solution of two-thirds of the calcium hypochlorite salt DTSTK.
Bized acts on the nervous system, causing mental disorders, headache, blurred vision, drowsiness, fever and hallucinations. The action begins to manifest itself at a concentration of B-zed in the air of about 0.1 milligrams per liter after 0.5 hours and lasts 2-3 days.
At the time of application, By-zed is in the form of an aerosol (smoke). A gas mask serves as protection against B-zed.
B-zed can be used in chemical aviation cassettes and poisonous smoke bombs. It is possible to use B-zed with the help of thermal aerosol generators.

2.6 Irritant poisons

Poisonous substances of irritating action - a group of agents that affect the mucous membranes of the eyes (lachrymators, for example
chloroacetophenone) and the upper respiratory tract (sternites, such as adamsite). The most effective agents of irritating combined action of the C-Es and C-Er types have the greatest efficiency.
Chloracetophenone (CN) is a white or light brown crystalline substance with a pungent odor reminiscent of the smell of cherry blossoms. Boils chloroacetophenone at a temperature of about 250°C, and melts at temperatures of about 60°C. Chloracetophenone is practically insoluble in water, but readily soluble in organic solvents. Water and aqueous solutions of alkalis does not decompose.
Chloracetophenone can be used with poisonous smoke bombs, chemical hand grenades, and mechanical aerosol generators. At the time of application, it is in the air in the form of an aerosol (smoke).
A gas mask serves as protection against chloroacetophenone. Chloracetophenone has a lacrimal effect. Its concentration is 0.0001 milligrams per liter of air for 2 minutes. already causes irritation, and the concentration of 0.002 milligrams per liter of air for 2 minutes. is intolerable. Chloroacetophenone is detected by means of chemical laboratories.
Chloracetophenone, as well as other irritant toxic substances, can stick to uniforms and equipment, creating conditions under which one will have to be in gas masks for a long time. Degassing of uniforms and equipment contaminated with chloracetophenone and other 0V irritants can be carried out by cleaning and airing them.
SI-ES (SS) - a crystalline substance of white or light yellow color, darkening when heated. CS boils at about 315°C and melts at 95°C. CS is very sparingly soluble in water and readily soluble in organic solvents. It is removed from the surface of the body and equipment by washing with plenty of water.
CS has a strong irritating effect on the eyes and upper respiratory tract, causing watery eyes, burning in the nose, larynx and lungs, and nausea. According to the irritating effect, CS is 10-20 times stronger than chloroacetophenone. CS can be used with chemical hand grenades. It is possible to use CS with the help of aerosol generators. Detected by CS by means of chemical laboratories.
Adamsite (DM) is a low-volatile crystalline substance of yellow-green color, boiling at temperatures above 40 ° C
Adamsite melts at a temperature of about 195°C. It does not dissolve in water, it dissolves well in acetone, and when heated, in other organic solvents. Oxidizing agents decompose adamsite to substances that do not affect the respiratory tract.
Adamsite has an irritating effect on the respiratory tract. Its concentration is 0.0002 milligrams per liter of air for 2 minutes. already causes irritation, and the concentration is 0.01 milligrams per liter of air for 2 minutes. is intolerable.
Adamsite can be applied with chemical hand grenades and mechanical aerosol generators. At the time of application is in the form of smoke. A gas mask serves as protection against it. Adamsite is detected by means of chemical laboratories.

Conclusion
Poisonous substances, in terms of their effect on the human body, are nerve-paralytic, blistering, suffocating, general toxic, irritant, and psychogenic.
The group of poisonous nerve agents includes extremely highly toxic organophosphorus compounds - sarin, soman, V-gases. causing damage to the nervous system, they have a pronounced general toxic effect.
Mustard gas belongs to the group of poisonous substances with blistering action. Mustard gas has a damaging effect, both in a drop-liquid and in a vapor state. Mustard gas causes local inflammatory changes, and also has a general toxic effect. At the time of contact with the OB, pain, and other unpleasant sensations are absent.
etc.................

poisonous substances - toxic chemical compounds that have certain physical and chemical properties that make it possible to use them in combat to destroy manpower, contaminate terrain and military equipment.

Poisonous 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 munitions. In addition, a person can get injured as a result of eating contaminated food and water, as well as exposure to toxic agents on the mucous membranes of the eyes and nasopharynx.

Combat state OB - such a state of matter in which it is used on the battlefield in order to achieve the maximum effect in the defeat of manpower. Types of combat state of OV: steam, aerosol, drops. Qualitative differences in these combat states are determined mainly by the particle size of the fragmented OM.

Steam formed by molecules or atoms of matter.

Aerosols are heterogeneous (heterogeneous) systems consisting of solid or liquid particles of a substance suspended in the air. Particles of a substance with a size of 10 -6 -10 -3 cm form finely dispersed, practically not settling aerosols; particles with a size of 10 -2 cm form coarse aerosols, and therefore, in the gravitational field, they settle relatively quickly on various surfaces.

Drops - larger particles with a size of 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 infect manpower through the respiratory organs (inhalation injury). The quantitative characteristic of air contamination with vapors and fine aerosols is mass concentrationWith – the amount of OM per unit volume of contaminated air (g/m 3).

OM in the form of a coarse aerosol or droplets infect the area, military equipment, uniforms, protective equipment, water bodies and are capable of infecting unprotected personnel both at the time of the cloud of contaminated air settling and after the settling of OM particles due to their evaporation from contaminated surfaces, as well as upon contact personnel with these surfaces and when using contaminated food and water. A quantitative characteristic of the degree of contamination of various surfaces is infection density Qm is the amount of OM 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 / m 3).

Poisonous substances form the basis of chemical weapons.

2 Educational question Classification of toxic substances according to their effect on a living organism. Ways to protect against ov.

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

By tactical purpose OVs are divided into groups according to the nature of their damaging effect: deadly, temporarily incapacitating manpower, annoying and training.

By physiological effect on the body distinguish OV:

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

blistering: H (technical mustard), HD (distilled mustard), BT and HO (mustard mustard formulations), HN (nitrogen mustard);

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

asphyxiants: CG (phosgene);

psychochemical: BZ (B-Z);

irritants: CN (chloroacetophenone), DM (adamsite), CS (CS), CR (CI-Ar).

All toxic substances, being chemical compounds, have a chemical name, for example: AC - formic acid nitrile; HD, dichlorodiethyl sulfide; CN is phenyl chloromethyl ketone. Some OM also received conditional names of various origins, for example: mustard gas, sarin, soman, adamsite, phosgene. In addition, for practical use (for marking ammunition, containers for explosive agents), symbols are used - ciphers. In the US Army, OB ciphers usually consist of two letters (for example, the previously mentioned GB, VX, BZ, CS). Other ciphers may be used in other NATO armies.

Substances VX, GB, HD, BZ, CS, CR, as well as toxins have received the greatest development recently. Botulinum toxin and staphylococcal enterotoxin can be used as agents.

By speed of attack distinguish:

high-speed agents that do not have a latent period, which in a few minutes lead to death or to 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 drops the skin-resorptive effect of this agent is slow, then in the state of vapor and fine aerosol its inhalation damaging effect is achieved quickly. The speed of action of the OV also depends on the size of the dose that has entered the body. At high doses, the effect of OB manifests itself much faster.

depending on the duration of the retention of the destructive ability of lethal agents 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 application.

OB GB, depending on the method and conditions of use, can behave both as stable and unstable OB. In summer conditions, it behaves as an unstable agent, especially when infecting non-absorbent surfaces; in winter conditions, it behaves as a persistent agent.

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

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

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

It will soon be 100 years since the first gas balloon attack with chlorine in April 1915. Over the years, the toxicity of toxic substances compared with the chlorine used at that time has increased by about 1900 times.

The variety of poisonous substances adopted for service, differing from each other in physical and chemical properties and state of aggregation, the nature of the toxic effect and the levels of toxicity, significantly complicates the creation of anti-chemical protection, especially antidote drugs, indication and warning systems.

Gas masks and skin protection kits, even the latest ones, have an adverse effect on people, depriving them of their normal mobility due to the aggravating effect of both the gas mask and skin protection equipment, causing unbearable thermal stresses, limiting visibility and other perceptions necessary to control combat means and communication with each other. Due to the need to decontaminate contaminated equipment and personnel, in some cases it is necessary to withdraw troops from combat. There is no doubt that modern chemical weapons are a formidable weapon, and, especially when used against troops and civilians who do not have proper anti-chemical protection, a significant combat effect can be achieved.

Chlorine, phosgene, mustard gas and other gases originally used can be called toxic substances of the 1st World War. Organophosphorus poisonous substances can rightfully be called chemical weapons of the 2nd World War. And it's not so much that they were discovered and developed during the years of this war and the first post-war years. It was during the years of the past World War that the most damaging properties of poisonous nerve agents could be manifested to the fullest extent. For their effective use, there were vulnerable targets - troop positions saturated with openly located manpower. In those years, several thousand people were concentrated in areas of front breakthrough per square kilometer, and besides, they did not have full-fledged means of anti-chemical protection. For the use of chemical projectiles and air bombs, there were the necessary combat groupings of artillery and aviation.

The arrival of organophosphorus poisonous agents with a nerve-paralytic effect in the arsenals of weapons marked the apogee in the development of chemical weapons. A further increase in its combat power does not occur and is not predicted in the future. Obtaining new toxic substances that would surpass modern lethal toxic substances in terms of toxicity and at the same time would have optimal physicochemical properties (liquid state, moderate volatility, the ability to cause damage when exposed through the skin, the ability to be absorbed into porous materials and paint and varnish coatings and etc.) is excluded. This conclusion is supported by the experience of developing chemical weapons over the past sixty years. Even the binary munitions created in the 70s were equipped with sarin and other toxic substances obtained about 30 years ago.

Over the past decade, there have been fundamental changes in weapons systems. The combat qualities of conventional weapons have sharply increased, primarily due to the entry into service of high-precision weapons capable of inflicting damage on individual objects and even finding the required objects of destruction among others thanks to "intelligent" control and guidance systems.

This, as well as the end of the Cold War and the extremely negative attitude in society towards chemical warfare agents, led to the conclusion in 1993 of the international Convention on the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons, which entered into force on April 29, 1997.

Strange as it may seem, the countries where the largest stocks of toxic substances were accumulated were interested in the elimination of chemical weapons. The probability of a "big war" was reduced to a minimum, in these conditions, nuclear weapons as a means of deterrence became quite enough. The withdrawal of toxic substances from international law became beneficial to countries with nuclear arsenals, since chemical weapons were considered by many odious regimes as "an atomic bomb for the poor."

INCAPASITANTS

Substances used by “law enforcement agencies” for “riot control” did not fall under the convention.
Incapacitants include a large group of physiologically active substances with different toxic effects. Unlike lethal substances, incapacitants' incapacitating doses are hundreds or more times lower than their lethal doses. Therefore, if these substances are used for military or police purposes, fatal cases of injury to people can be avoided. Incapacitants include irritants and dysregulators. Irritants were used during the First World War, but they have not lost their significance so far.

In the early 1950s, the British chemical research center at Porton Down developed a technology for obtaining a new irritant, which received the code CS. Since 1961, it has been in service with the US Army. Later, it entered service with the army and police of a number of other countries.

The CS substance was used in large quantities during the Vietnam War. In terms of irritant action, CS significantly exceeds World War I irritants - adamsite (DM) and chloroacetophenone (CN). It is widely used by the police and in civilian self-defense.

Among the inhabitants there is a widespread opinion about the "harmlessness" of this substance. However, this is far from being the case, in case of poisoning in large doses or with prolonged exposure, severe harm to health may occur, up to a burn of the respiratory tract.

Eye contact can cause severe corneal burns with partial or complete loss of vision. A number of researchers have noted a sharp decrease in immunity in people who have repeatedly come under the influence of "tear gas".

In 1962, the irritant CR was obtained in Switzerland, 10 times more effective than CS. It was adopted by the army and police of Great Britain and the United States.

At elevated concentrations, its smoke causes intolerable irritation of the respiratory organs and eyes, as well as the skin of the whole body. In the state of vapor or aerosol, the CR substance has a powerful lachrymal effect combined with a nettle, burning effect. A few seconds after contact with an atmosphere containing vapors and aerosol of the CR substance, intolerable burning of the eyes, mouth and nose occurs, as well as lacrimation, blurred vision, irritation of the upper respiratory tract and burning of the skin.

When drops of a solution of the CR substance come into contact with the skin, a sharp skin pain is noted, which persists for several hours. Compared to other synthetic irritants, the CR substance creates more pronounced discomfort for those affected.

Irritants were not included in chemical weapons as defined in the text of the 1993 Chemical Convention. The convention contains only a call to its participants not to use these chemicals during hostilities.

Indeed, with the help of the latest irritants and other substances of a temporarily debilitating effect that are not subject to prohibition, it may be possible to overcome the gas mask in the near future, when the agent slips through the gas mask and the irritation of the respiratory tract caused by it will make it impossible to continue to be in the gas mask due to a violation of the regimen. breathing, whereby the victim will be forced to tear off the gas mask from his face and expose himself to the destructive effects of hundreds of thousands of times higher concentrations of the irritant in the surrounding atmosphere.

Irritants in terms of a set of properties may be of interest as substances for exhausting the enemy's manpower. Under the terms of the chemical convention, they can be further developed, since their development is not prohibited. On the other hand, with the current state of the system of means of anti-chemical defense of troops, the task of destroying manpower may turn out to be impossible, and therefore the task will come to the fore not of destruction, but of shackling enemy manpower, which can be solved by far not necessarily only with the use of lethal poisonous substances.

In the 1950s, there was a fascination with the idea of "bloodless war" among the supporters of the buildup of chemical weapons. The development of new substances designed to temporarily incapacitate a significant part of the enemy's troops and population was carried out. Some of these substances are able to incapacitate people, sending them into a world of dreams, complete depression or senseless euphoria. It was, therefore, about the use of substances that cause mental disorders, disrupt the normal perception of the affected world around, and even deprive people of their minds.

The natural hallucinogenic substance LSD has the described effect, but it is not available for obtaining in significant quantities. In the UK, the US and Czechoslovakia, full-scale tests of the effects of LSD on military personnel were conducted in order to determine the effect of this substance on the ability of participants in the experiment to perform combat missions. The effect of LSD was very similar to the effects of alcohol intoxication.

After an organized search for substances with a similar effect on the psyche, the choice was made in the United States in favor of a substance under the code BZ. It was in service with the American army and was used in an experimental version in Vietnam.

Under normal conditions, substance BZ is solid and fairly stable. It was intended to be used in the form of smoke generated by the combustion of a pyrotechnic mixture containing BZ.
Intoxication of people with substance BZ is characterized by a pronounced depression of the psyche and disorientation in the environment. Toxic effects develop gradually, reaching a maximum after 30-60 minutes. The first symptoms of a lesion are palpitations, dizziness, muscle weakness, dilated pupils. After about half an hour, there is a weakening of attention and memory, a decrease in reaction to external stimuli, loss of orientation, psychomotor agitation, periodically replaced by hallucinations. After 1-4 hours, severe tachycardia, vomiting, confusion, loss of contact with the outside world are noted. Subsequently, outbursts of anger, acts inappropriate to the circumstances, and impaired consciousness with partial or complete loss of memory are possible. The state of poisoning persists for up to 4-5 days, and residual mental disorders can persist for up to 2-3 weeks.

Installations for field testing of ammunition equipped with BZ at the Edgewood test site, USA

Until now, doubts remain about how predictable the behavior of the enemy after exposure to substances of psychochemical action, and whether the enemy will fight more boldly and aggressively. In any case, the BZ substance was withdrawn from service with the US Army, and in other armies it did not come to its adoption.

EMETICS

A group of emetics with a strong emetic effect is formed by synthetic substances and toxins. Among synthetic emetics, derivatives of apomorphine, aminotetralin, and some polycyclic nitrogen-containing compounds may pose a threat to military use. The best known natural emetic is staphylococcal enterotoxin B.

The military use of natural emetics is associated with the likelihood of fatalities in people with poor health, which can be avoided with the use of synthetic emetics. Synthetic and natural emetics can cause vomiting and other symptoms of injury through various routes of entry into the body, including inhalation. Victims rapidly begin indefatigable vomiting, accompanied by diarrhea. In this state, people cannot perform certain tasks or combat missions. Due to the release of vomit, those affected by emetics are forced to drop their gas mask, regardless of whether the damaging agent is contained or absent in the surrounding atmosphere.

BIOREGULATORS

Recently, publications have appeared concerning the prospects for the creation of biochemical or hormonal weapons based on the use of endogenous bioregulators. According to experts, up to 10 thousand bioregulators of various chemical nature and functional purpose function in the body of warm-blooded animals. Under the control of bioregulators are the mental state, mood and emotions, sensation and perception, mental abilities, body temperature and blood pressure, growth and regeneration of tissues, etc. With an imbalance of bioregulators, disorders occur that lead to loss of working capacity and health, and even death.
Bioregulators are not subject to the prohibition of both chemical and biological conventions. Research, as well as the production of bioregulators and their analogues in the interests of public health, can be used to cover up work on the creation of biochemical weapons in circumvention of conventions.

NARCOTIC ANALGESICS

The group of narcotic analgesics is formed by derivatives of morphine and fentanyl, which have an immobilizing effect. The advantage of substances with a morphine-like action is their high activity, safety in use, as well as a fast onset and stable effect of incapacitation. In the 1970s and 1980s, artificially synthesized substances of this group were obtained, which have an extremely high “impact” effect. Carfentanil, sufentanil, alfentanil and lofentanil have been synthesized and are of interest as potential poisons.

Carfentanil is one of the most active substances from the entire group of studied fentanyl derivatives. It exhibits its activity in various ways of its entry into the body, including inhalation of vapors or aerosols. As a result of a one-minute inhalation of carfentanil vapors, immobilization occurs with loss of consciousness.

Narcotic analgesics are in service with special services. The case of their use during a special operation related to the terrorist act on October 26, 2002 on Dubrovka in Moscow, also referred to as Nord-Ost, received wide publicity.

During the assault on the building with the hostages held by Chechen fighters, a narcotic analgesic was used. The main justification for the need to use gas during the special operation to free the hostages is the presence of weapons and explosive devices in the hands of the terrorists, if triggered, all the hostages could die. For a number of reasons, the drug launched into the building did not affect everyone: some of the hostages remained conscious, and some of the terrorists continued to shoot for 20 minutes, but the explosion did not occur and all the terrorists were eventually neutralized.

Of the 916 people taken hostage, according to official data, 130 people died as a result of exposure to the chemical agents. The exact composition of the gas used by the security forces during the assault remains unknown. Specialists from the laboratory of scientific and technological foundations of safety in Salisbury (UK) believe that the aerosol consisted of two analgesics - carfentanil and remifentanil. According to an official statement from the FSB, a "special formulation based on fentanyl derivatives" was used at Dubrovka. Officially, the main cause of death of a large number of hostages is called "exacerbation of chronic diseases."

Here it is worth noting that, according to the incapacitating action, the most active of narcotic analgesics, in terms of their level of action, achieve the effect of nerve agents. They are quite capable, if necessary, to replace non-conventional agents.

When applied suddenly, when the enemy is taken by surprise, the effect of narcotic analgesics can be overwhelming. Even in small doses, the effect of the substance is knockout - a living force that has been attacked after a few minutes loses its ability to resist. With an overdose, death occurs, which apparently happened to those who died in Nord-Ost.

By incapacitating action, the most active of narcotic analgesics reach the level of poisonous nerve agents.

Incapacitating doses of the most active known incapacitants and non-lethal poisons

The list of drugs of various effects that can be used as chemical warfare agents is continuously updated as a product of a “side” research process in the creation of various medicines and plant protection products (this is how nerve agents were discovered in Germany in the 30s). The work in this area in the state secret laboratories has never stopped and, apparently, will not stop. There is a high probability of creating new poisons that are not covered by the provisions of the chemical convention of 1993.

This may serve as an incentive to switch the scientific teams of military departments and industry from the development and production of lethal poisonous substances to the search for and creation of new types of chemical weapons, bypassing the convention.

According to materials:
http://rudocs.exdat.com/docs/index-19796.html
http://mirmystic.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=8&t=2695&mobile=mobile
Alexandrov V.A., Emelyanov V.I. poisonous substances. Moscow, Military publishing house, 1990

Modern agents are conditionally divided: by the nature of the damaging effect into neuro-paralytic, general poisonous asphyxiating, skin-blistering, irritating and psychogenic; depending on the boiling point and volatility into persistent and unstable.

Poisonous nerve agents are a group of lethal agents, which are highly toxic phosphorus-containing agents (sarin, soman, Vi-X). All phosphorus-containing substances are highly soluble in organic solvents and fats, easily penetrate through intact skin. They operate in drop-liquid and aerosol (vapours, mist) state. Once in the body, phosphorus-containing agents inhibit (inhibit) enzymes that regulate the transmission of nerve impulses in the systems of the respiratory center, blood circulation, cardiac activity, etc.

Poisoning develops quickly. At low toxic doses (mild lesions), constriction of the pupils of the eyes (miosis), salivation, chest pain, and shortness of breath occur. In severe lesions, shortness of breath, profuse sweating, stomach cramps, involuntary separation of urine, sometimes vomiting, convulsions and respiratory paralysis immediately occur.

In severe poisoning with general toxic agents, there is a metallic taste in the mouth, chest tightness, a feeling of intense fear, severe shortness of breath, convulsions, paralysis of the respiratory center. Poisonous substances of asphyxiating action, when inhaled, the upper respiratory tract and lung tissues are affected. The main representatives are phosgene and diphosgene. When inhaled, phosgene smells of rotting hay and an unpleasant sweetish taste in the mouth, there is a burning sensation in the throat, coughing, tightness in the chest.

Upon leaving the contaminated atmosphere, these signs disappear. After 46 hours, the condition of the affected person deteriorates sharply. There is a cough with copious secretion of a foamy liquid, breathing becomes difficult.

Poisonous substances of blistering action mustard gas and nitrogen mustard gas. Mustard gas easily penetrates through the skin and mucous membranes; getting into the blood and lymph, it spreads throughout the body, causing general poisoning of a person or animal. When drops of mustard gas get on the skin, signs of damage are detected after 48 hours. In mild cases, reddening of the skin appears, followed by the development of edema and itching. In more severe skin lesions, blisters form, which burst and form ulcers after 23 days. In the absence of infection, the affected area heals after 10-20 days.

It is possible to damage the skin with mustard gas vapors, but weaker than drops. Vapors of mustard gas cause damage to the eyes and respiratory organs. When the eyes are affected, there is a feeling of clogging of the eyes, itching, inflammation of the conjunctiva, necrosis of the cornea, and the formation of ulcers. 46 hours after inhalation of mustard gas vapors, dryness and soreness in the throat, a sharp painful cough, then hoarseness and loss of voice, inflammation of the bronchi and lungs appear.

Irritant poisonous substances- a group of agents that act on the mucous membranes of the eyes (lachrymators, for example, chloracetophenone) and the upper respiratory tract (sternites, for example, adamsite). The combined irritating action agents of the SI-ES and SI-ER types are most effective.

Poisonous substances of psychogenic action- a group of agents that cause temporary psychosis due to a violation of chemical regulation in the central nervous system. Representatives of these are substances such as "LSD" (lesergic acid ethylamide), Bi-Zet. These are colorless crystalline substances, poorly soluble in water, used in aerosol standing. When ingested, they can cause movement disorders, visual and hearing impairments, hallucinations, mental disorders, or completely change the normal picture of human behavior; (the state of psychosis, similar to that observed in patients with schizophrenia).

Persistent agents- a group of high-boiling agents that retain their damaging effect from several hours to several days and even weeks after application. Persistent poisonous substances (PTS) evaporate slowly, are resistant to air and moisture. The main representatives of Vi-X (Vi-gases), soman, mustard gas.

Unstable agents- a group of low-boiling agents that contaminate the air for a relatively short period (from several minutes to 12 hours). Typical representatives of HOB are phosgene, hydrocyanic acid, cyanogen chloride.

chemical weapons called poisonous substances and the means of their combat use.
Chemical weapons are intended to destroy and exhaust the enemy's manpower in order to hinder (disorganize) the activities of his troops and rear facilities. It can be used with the help of aviation, missile troops, artillery, engineering troops.
poisonous substances called toxic chemical compounds intended for mass destruction of manpower, contamination of the area, weapons and military equipment.
Poisonous substances form the basis of chemical weapons.
At the time of combat use, agents can be in a vaporous, aerosol, or liquid-drop state.
In vaporous and finely dispersed aerosol state(smoke, fog) are transferred agents used to contaminate the surface layer of air. WATER 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 propagation of OM in rough and wooded areas is 1.5-3 times less than in open areas. Hollows, ravines, forest and shrub massifs can be places of OM stagnation and changes in the direction of its distribution.
To infect the terrain, weapons and military equipment, uniforms, equipment and skin of people, agents are used in the form coarse aerosols and droplets. The terrain, weapons and military equipment and other objects contaminated in this way are a source of human injury. Under these conditions, the personnel will be forced to stay in protective equipment for a long time, due to the resistance of the OV, which will reduce the combat effectiveness of the troops.
OM can enter the body through the respiratory system, through wound surfaces, mucous membranes and skin. With the use of contaminated food and water, the penetration of agents is carried out through the gastrointestinal tract. Most of the agents are cumulative, that is, they have the ability to accumulate a toxic effect.

2. Classification of poisonous substances. The main types of poisonous substances. The main properties of toxic substances and their effect on the human body

2.1. Classification of toxic substances

According to the tactical purpose, OVs are divided into four groups: lethal agents; temporarily incapacitating manpower; annoying and educational.
According to the speed of the onset of the damaging effect, there are: high-speed agents; not having a period of latent action and slow-acting agents; with a latency period.
Depending on the duration of the retention of the damaging ability of lethal agents, they 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 application. Some agents, depending on the method and conditions of use, can behave as persistent and unstable agents.

K OV lethal action, to defeat or disable manpower for a long time, include: GB (sarin), GD (soman), VX (Vi-X), HD (distilled mustard), HN (nitrogen mustard), AC (hydrocyanic acid), CK (cyanogen chloride), CG (phosgene).

2.2. The main types of poisonous substances. The main properties of toxic substances and their effect on the human body

Poison nerve agents
Sarin (GB), Soman (GD), Vi-X (VX), which affect the nervous system, enter the body through the respiratory system, skin and digestive tract. In addition, they cause a strong 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 the skin.
Sarin It is a volatile colorless or yellowish liquid with almost no odor. Does not 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 rapidly destroyed by solutions of alkalis and ammonia. Upon 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 observed: constriction of the pupils (miosis), salivation, difficulty breathing, vomiting, incoordination, loss of consciousness, attacks of severe convulsions, paralysis and death. Not fatal doses of sarin cause lesions of varying severity depending on the dose received. At a small dose, there is a temporary weakening of vision (miosis) and tightness in the chest.
Sarin vapors under average meteorological conditions can spread downwind up to 20 km from the place of application.
Soman- a colorless and almost odorless liquid, very similar in its properties to sarin; acts on the human body like sarin, but is 5-10 times more toxic than it.
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 infects the area for longer periods than sarin. The danger of lethal injury in areas infected with soman persists in summer up to 10 hours (in places of ammunition explosions - up to 30 hours), in winter - up to 2-3 days, and the danger of temporary damage to vision persists in summer - up to 2-4 days, in winter - up to 2-3 weeks. Soman vapors in dangerous concentrations can spread downwind for tens of kilometers from the place of application. Armament and military equipment contaminated with soman drops, after its degassing, can be operated without skin protection, but poses a risk of injury through the respiratory system.
V-X (VX) - a slightly volatile colorless liquid, odorless and does not freeze in winter. The area infected with VX remains dangerous for damage in summer up to 7-15 days, and in winter - for the entire period before the onset of heat. VX infects 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 organs, open areas of the skin and ordinary summer army uniforms, and also infect the terrain, weapons, military equipment and open water bodies. The impregnated uniform reliably protects against VX aerosols. The toxicity of VX in terms of action through the respiratory organs is 10 times higher than that of sarin, and in a liquid drop state through bare skin - hundreds of times. For fatal injury through naked skin and when ingested with water and food, 2 mg of RH is sufficient. Inhalation symptoms are similar to those caused by sarin. When exposed to VX aerosol through the skin, the symptoms of poisoning may not appear immediately, but after a while - up to several hours. In this case, muscle twitching appears at the site of exposure to the OB, then convulsions, muscle weakness and paralysis. In addition, there may be difficulty in breathing, salivation, depression of the central nervous system.

Poisonous substances of blistering action
The main agent of blistering action is mustard gas. Used technical (H) and distillation (purified) mustard gas (HD).
Mustard gas(distilled) - a colorless or light yellow liquid with a slight odor, heavier than water. At a temperature of about 14 ° C it freezes. Technical mustard has a dark brown color and a strong smell, reminiscent of the smell of garlic or mustard. Mustard gas evaporates slowly in air. It is poorly soluble in water; dissolves well in alcohol, gasoline, kerosene, acetone and other organic solvents, as well as in various oils and fats. Easily absorbed into wood, leather, textiles and paint.
Mustard gas decomposes slowly in water, retaining its damaging properties for a long time; when heated, decomposition proceeds faster. Aqueous solutions of calcium hypochlorites destroy mustard gas. Mustard has a multilateral action. It affects the skin and eyes, respiratory tract and lungs. When it enters the gastrointestinal tract with food and water at a dose of 0.2 g, it causes fatal poisoning. Mustard gas has a latency period and a cumulative effect.

Poisonous substances of general poisonous action
Poisonous substances of general toxic action, getting into the body, disrupt the transfer of oxygen from the blood to the tissues. This is one of the fastest operating systems. Among the agents of general toxic action are hydrocyanic acid(AC) And cyanogen chloride(CK).
Hydrocyanic acid- a colorless, rapidly evaporating liquid with a smell of bitter almonds. In open areas it quickly disappears (in 10-15 minutes); does not affect metals and fabrics. It can be used in chemical aerial bombs of large caliber. In combat conditions, the body is affected only by inhalation of contaminated air, affecting the circulatory and central nervous systems. When inhaling hydrocyanic acid vapors, a metallic taste appears in the mouth, throat irritation, dizziness, weakness, and a feeling of fear. In 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, involuntary separation of urine and feces occurs. At this stage, the convulsive tension of the muscles is replaced by their complete relaxation, breathing becomes superficial; this stage ends with respiratory arrest, cardiac paralysis and death.
cyanogen chloride- colorless, more volatile than hydrocyanic acid, liquid with a sharp unpleasant odor. According to its toxic properties, cyanogen chloride is similar to hydrocyanic acid, but unlike it, it also irritates the upper respiratory tract and eyes.

Asphyxiating poisonous substances
The main representative of this group of OM is phosgene(CG).
Phosgene- a colorless gas, heavier than air, with an odor reminiscent of the smell of rotten hay or rotten fruit. Poorly soluble in water, good in organic solvents. It does not affect metals in the absence of moisture, in the presence of moisture it causes rust.
Phosgene is a typical unstable agent used to contaminate the air. The cloud of contaminated air formed during the explosion of ammunition can retain a damaging effect for no more than 15-20 minutes; in the forest, ravines and other places sheltered from the wind, stagnation of contaminated air is possible and the damaging effect persists for up to 2-3 hours.
Phosgene acts on the respiratory organs, causing acute pulmonary edema. This leads to a sharp violation of the supply of oxygen from the air to the body and eventually leads to death.
The first signs of damage (weak eye irritation, lacrimation, dizziness, general weakness) disappear with the exit from the infected atmosphere - a period of latent action begins (4-5 hours), during which damage to the lung tissue develops. Then the condition of the affected person worsens sharply: there is a cough, blue lips and cheeks, headache, shortness of breath and suffocation. There is an increase in body temperature up 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.

Psychochemical poisons
OV temporarily incapacitating manpower appeared relatively recently. These include psychochemical substances that act on the nervous system and cause mental disorders. Currently, psychochemical OB is a substance that has the code Bi-Zet (BZ).
BZ- white crystalline substance, odorless. Combat state - aerosol (smoke). It is transferred to a combat state by the method of thermal sublimation. BZ is equipped with aviation chemical bombs, cassettes, checkers. Unprotected people are affected through the respiratory system and the gastrointestinal tract. The period of latent action is 0.5-3 hours, depending on the dose. With the defeat of BZ, the functions of the vestibular apparatus are disturbed, vomiting begins. Subsequently, for approximately 8 hours, there is a numbness, speech retardation, after which a period of hallucinations and arousal begins. BZ aerosols, spreading downwind, settle on the terrain, uniforms, weapons and military equipment, causing their persistent infection.

Irritant poisonous substances
The irritating agents include adamsite(DM), chloroacetophenone(CN) CS(CS) and C-Ar(CR). Annoying agents are mainly used for police purposes. These chemicals cause eye and respiratory irritation. Highly toxic irritating agents, such as CS and CR, can be used in a combat situation to exhaust enemy manpower.
CS (CS) - a white or light yellow crystalline substance, sparingly soluble in water, highly soluble in acetone and benzene, at low concentrations irritates the eyes (10 times stronger than chloroacetophenone) and upper respiratory tract, at high concentrations causes burns to exposed skin and respiratory paralysis . At concentrations of 5·10-3 g/m3, personnel fail instantly. Damage symptoms: 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 clusters, artillery shells, mines, aerosol generators, hand grenades and cartridges. Combat use is carried out in the form of recipes. Depending on the recipe, it is stored on the ground from 14 to 30 days.
C-Ar (CR) - RH irritant, much more toxic than CS. It is a solid, slightly soluble in water. It has a strong irritating 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, capable of causing disease and death when they enter the human or animal body. In the US Army, XR (X-Ar) and PG (PJ) substances are on the staff supply, related to new highly toxic agents.
SubstanceXR- botulinum toxin of bacterial origin, entering the body, causes severe damage to the nervous system. Belongs to the class of lethal agents. XR is a fine white to yellowish brown powder that is readily soluble in water. It is used in the form of aerosols by aircraft, artillery or rockets, easily penetrates into the human body through the mucous surfaces of the respiratory tract, digestive tract and eyes. It has a latent period of action from 3 hours to 2 days. Signs of defeat appear suddenly and begin with a feeling of severe weakness, general depression, nausea, vomiting, constipation. 3-4 hours after the onset of the development of symptoms of the lesion, dizziness appears, the pupils dilate and stop responding to light. Blurred vision, often double vision. The skin becomes dry, there is a dry mouth and a feeling of thirst, severe pain in the stomach. There are difficulties in swallowing food and water, speech becomes slurred, the voice is weak. With non-fatal poisoning, recovery occurs in 2-6 months.
SubstancePG- staphylococcal enterotoxin - is used in the form of aerosols. It enters the body with inhaled air and with contaminated water and food. It has a latency period of several minutes. The symptoms are similar to those of food poisoning. Initial signs of damage: salivation, nausea, vomiting. Violent cutting in abdomen and watery diarrhoea. The highest degree of weakness. Symptoms last 24 hours, all this time the affected person is incompetent.
First aid for poisoning. Stop the entry of the toxin into the body (put on a gas mask or respirator when in a contaminated atmosphere, rinse the stomach in case of poisoning with contaminated water or food), take it to a medical center and provide qualified medical care.

3. Signs of the use of poisonous substances by the enemy and methods of protection against them

3.1. Signs of the use of poisonous substances by the enemy
For the most part, chemical weapons are planned to be used at night and in adverse weather conditions. In this case, it is possible to combine the use of HE with nuclear strikes, high-explosive fragmentation, incendiary and smoke ammunition and the combination of different types of HE, as well as the use of previously unknown HE, ammunition and methods of attack.
The main features of the application chemical rockets are: the rupture of the warhead in the air and the simultaneous (almost instantaneous) rupture of a large number of bombs when they hit the ground or above it.
At break chemical bomb, due to equipping it with a small amount of explosive charge, a deaf explosion is obtained, shallow craters form in the ground.
About application aviation chemical cassettes it can be judged if in the air at a certain height a large number of elements are poured out of a dropped container, which are scattered over a large area and at the same time the sound of the explosion is not heard.
A characteristic feature of the use of OV from pouring aviation devices is the formation of an aerosol streak from a low-flying aircraft and the appearance of small drops of liquid on the terrain and objects located on it.

3.2. Ways to protect against poisonous substances
In the area of explosive ammunition with sarin and in the immediate vicinity of it, such concentrations of OM can be created that one breath is enough to get hit. Therefore, if an ammunition explodes nearby, you must immediately hold your breath, close your eyes, put on a gas mask and exhale sharply. Sarin is used to contaminate the air (vapours, mist), but some of it remains on the ground in the form of droplets when munitions explode (especially in craters from explosive munitions). Therefore, it is possible to be without gas masks in areas where ammunition with sarin was used, only after a few hours in summer, and after 1-2 days in winter. When units operate on vehicles in an atmosphere contaminated with sarin, personnel must use gas masks, and when operating on contaminated terrain on foot, in addition, protective stockings are put on. When the enemy uses sarin on objects located in the forest, in the lowlands, especially at night and in the absence of wind, large concentrations of its vapors can form, therefore, when staying in such an area for a long time, it is necessary to use not only a gas mask for protection, but also a protective kit in the form of overalls . In addition to personal protective equipment, collective protective equipment is used to protect personnel from being hit by sarin and other POVs: hermetic mobile objects (tanks, infantry fighting vehicles, etc.), shelters, as well as dugouts under the parapet, blocked slots and communication passages that protect against drops and aerosols. Mobile objects and shelters are equipped with filter-ventilation kits that ensure the stay of personnel in them without personal protective equipment. Vapors of sarin can be adsorbed by uniforms and, after leaving the contaminated air, evaporate again, contaminating clean air. This is especially dangerous when entering enclosed spaces and shelters.
Means of protection against somana the same as for Sarin.
When personnel are infected with drop-liquid agents of the type VX and their aerosols, it is necessary to immediately decontaminate exposed areas of the body with the help of PPI and replace contaminated uniforms. Weapons and military equipment contaminated with VX droplets are dangerous for 1-3 days in summer and 30-50 days in winter. After the degassing of weapons and military equipment, the danger of injury through the respiratory organs is excluded, but damage is possible upon contact with unprotected areas of the body due to the agents absorbed into the paint, wood, rubber, and then coming to the surface. Degassing of weapons and military equipment contaminated with VX is carried out with degassing solution No. 1, degassing formulation RD or aqueous suspensions of calcium hypochlorites.
For protection against mustard gas a gas mask and skin protection equipment are used: a combined-arms protective kit (OZK) and a combined-arms complex protective suit (OKZK). To protect against mustard gas vapors, a gas mask and OKZK are used, and from drop-liquid mustard gas - a gas mask and OZK (with a raincoat, worn in sleeves or in the form of overalls). If drops of mustard gas get on the skin or uniforms, the infected areas are treated with PPI. The eyes are washed with a 2% solution of baking soda or clean water. The mouth and nasopharynx are also rinsed with a 2% solution of baking soda (clean water). For the degassing of weapons and military equipment contaminated with mustard gas, degassing solution No. 1, degassing formulation RD, aqueous suspensions and slurries of calcium hypochlorites are used; solvents and aqueous solutions of detergents can be used; degassing is carried out using degassing machines and various degassing kits. Terrain, trenches, trenches and other structures are degassed with aqueous suspensions and slurries of calcium hypochlorites. Linen, uniforms and equipment are degassed by boiling, as well as hot air or a vapor-air-ammonia mixture in special degassing machines.
Products, fodder, fats and oils contaminated with liquid mustard gas are unsuitable for consumption and must be destroyed. Water contaminated with mustard gas is neutralized in special installations.
A remedy for hydrocyanic acid is a combined arms gas mask. Hydrocyanic acid does not infect the terrain, weapons and military equipment. In case of infection of premises and closed objects, they must be ventilated. Food products contaminated with hydrocyanic acid can be consumed after airing.
Means of protection against cyanogen chloride the same as for hydrocyanic acid.
Defence from phosgene- combined arms gas mask. In case of phosgene damage, it is necessary to put on a gas mask on the affected person, remove it from the atmosphere of the RH, create peace and prevent the body from cooling; artificial respiration is prohibited. It is necessary to quickly deliver the injured to the point of medical care.
Degassing of phosgene in the field is not required; in case of infection of premises and closed objects, they must be ventilated. Phosgene practically does not infect water. Products exposed to phosgene vapors are suitable for consumption after ventilation (until the odor disappears) or after heat treatment.
Defence from BZ- gas mask. Degassing of weapons and military equipment contaminated with BZ can be carried out by treatment with aqueous suspensions of HA, as well as by washing with water, solvents and detergent solutions. Uniforms are to be shaken and washed.
Defence from CS (CS) - gas mask and shelters with filtering equipment.
When used by an enemy C-Ar, it must be remembered that the eyes should not be rubbed; you need to get out of the contaminated atmosphere, face the wind, rinse your eyes and rinse your mouth with water or a 2% solution of baking soda.
protection from toxins are a gas mask or respirator, weapons, military equipment and shelters equipped with filter-ventilation installations.

Abstracts

Military topography

military ecology

Military Medical Training

Engineering training

fire training