Chemical weapons have been used for thousands of years throughout history in the forms poisoned arrows, boiling tar, arsenic smoke, and noxious fumes. Weapons as such went beyond puncture wounds a bullet would leave and instead life lasting internal or physical deformities which are why the use of them is highly frowned upon on the global stage. World War I saw the first large-scale use of chemical weapons in order to demoralize, injure, and kill entrenched defenders. Since then, the use of chemical weapons is seen as a war crime for how much unnecessary suffering comes from the chemical weapons. Chemical weapons, however, are still being developed by most nations as a deterrent or a “last stand” defense if the need to use them ever surfaced or even using less deadly chemical weapons as a domestic policing tool.
Tear gas is probably the most common chemical weapon that you have heard of either on the news or maybe even a video game if you are interested in gaming. Tear gas that is used for policing does not hold the same toxicity as it once had been first developed for purposes of war, and in fact, is not deemed at a lethal chemical weapon. Large controversy still surrounds the use of tear gas for policing purposes for the gas, when in contact with the human body, irritates the mucous membranes in the eyes, nose, mouth, and lungs, and causes crying, sneezing, coughing, difficulty breathing, pain in the eyes, and temporary blindness. These effects take place within 20-60 seconds of exposure to the gas which one of the reasons why the gas is typically used for policing rioters. The symptoms of being exposed to the gas last around 30 minutes but tear gas still holds the potential to cause longer lasting injuries. Tear gas contains chemical agent 2-chlorobenzylidene malononitrile (CS) and despite the name “Tear Gas” it is actually not a gas but instead is classified as an aerosol. CS is solid at room temperature and mixed with liquid or gas dispersal agents when used a weapon designed to activate pain-sensing nerve. According to the Chemical Weapons Convention of 1993, which was signed by almost every nation in the world, tear gas is banned in warfare but legal in domestic riot control. A homemade remedy for dealing with the effects of tear gas including pouring milk or milky substances on your face instead of the common residue of using water to wash things out. It is thought that milk soothes the pain induced by the lachrymatory agents. Antacids such as Maalox dissolved in water is advised as a method of relief from the effects if sprayed onto people’s eyes and mouths. Tear gas will continue to be used as a policing tool by many nations as it poses a more direct threat quickly to rioters or offenders without any physical contact needed which could lead to more injury.
Mustard gas is another common chemical weapon that you may or has not have heard of but it typically used with the intent of causing harm or killing. The mustard agent was first used effectively in World War I by the German army against British and Canadian soldiers and later against the French Second Army. The use of these chemical weapons saw the development of military gas masks that would shield the toxic fumes from being breathed in by the soldiers. Later at the Chemical Weapons Convention of 1993, mustard gas could no longer by used in warfare or developed, produced, stockpiled, and sold. However, it is sometimes still used for domestic purposes by rogue governments in order to police its citizens or stunt a revolt against the government as seen recently in Syria. If you were exposed to mustard gas you could experience irritation, redness, burning, inflammation, and even blindness of the eyes, itchy redness that is replaced with yellow blisters on the skin, runny or bloody nose, sneezing, hoarse throat, shortness of breath, coughing, and sinus pain of the respiratory system, or abdominal pain, diarrhea, fever, nausea, and vomiting of the digestive system. Depending on the level of contamination, mustard agent burns can vary between first and second-degree burns, though they can also be every bit as severe, disfiguring, and dangerous as third-degree burns. Sulfur mustard is the scientific name for “mustard gas” and is an organic compound with the formula (ClCH2CH2)2S. Mustard gas is synthesized by reacting sulfur dichloride with ethylene (SCl2 + 2 C2H4 → (ClCH2CH2)2S). As of now, there are no antidotes for exposure to mustard gas but there are methods of decontamination such as the rinsing of the eyes with water or saline and the washing of the skin with soapy water. Even though mustard gas is banned by the global Chemical Weapons Convention, other countries still develop and use mustard gas as a weapon. 
Sources:
Sources:
This is where I have a fundamental issue with how the advancement in science is not used for the benefit of mankind but the possible or potential ability to destroy it. I remember reading about the mustard gas in Mr. Koch's class in WWI. The terrible things that chemical weapons did to innocent people. They were right to agree to ban the use of this 'weapon'. They say that we should learn from the past (history) so it can not be repeated....We learned about what was done in WWII with the genocide of millions of Jews. There was agent orange that was used in the Vietnam War... but we still don't get it. Today, in my generation we have Syria using chemical weapons to gain power control, etc. I have to ask to what end? Chemical advancements should be for the benefit of improving or prolonging our life, not to create chemical weapons for the destruction of human life. It's simple but complex in the crazy world that we live in today.
ReplyDeleteHi Garret K! Great post! I read your post and I thought that it was extremely thorough and informative. I have two questions about the transfer from development to use. How are these chemical weapons tested and who are they tested on? My best guess would be that these weapons are tested on animals. Unfortunately, it seems that the people who use these chemical weapons, aim to cause as much harm as possible. This makes me think that the testing process is extremely lengthy for these chemical weapons.
ReplyDeleteWhat an interesting post! It was interesting to learn about how mustard gas developed and the chemistry that goes into making mustard gas. Although you mentioned that no antidote for mustard gas has been created yet, you said there are methods of decontamination. My question to you is: Although no antidotes have been made, have there been any experiments and studies in trying trying to perfect an antidote and why did they not work? Maybe they aren't looking into a cure because it is banned on the global spectrum like you said... but it would still be interesting to research. Thank you for the wonderful blog!
ReplyDelete