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.
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 concentrationFROM – 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 period of latent action, which in a few minutes lead to death or to loss of combat capability as a result of temporary damage (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 OB (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 AC CG, HN, CN, DM).
The most widely used is the classification of agents according to their tactical purpose and physiological effect on the body.
For tactical purpose OV are divided into deadly, temporarily incapacitating manpower and annoying (Scheme 1.7)
According to the physiological effect on the body There are neuroparalytic, blistering, general poisonous, suffocating, psychochemical and irritating agents (Scheme 1.7).
According to the speed of the onset of the damaging effect, there are:
high-speed agents, which do not have a period of latent action, which in a few minutes lead to death or loss of combat capability (GB, GD, AC, CK, CS, CR);
slow-acting agents, which have a period of latent action and lead to defeat after some time (VX, HD, CG, BZ).
Scheme 1.7. Classification of toxic substances
by tactical purpose and physiological properties
Depending on the duration of maintaining the ability to hit unprotected enemy manpower and infect the area, toxic substances are divided into two groups:
persistent agents, the damaging effect of which persists for several hours and days (VX, GD, HD);
unstable agents, the damaging effect of which persists for several tens of minutes after their combat use.
Lethal poisons intended for lethal defeat or incapacitation of manpower for a long time. This group of agents consists of: Vi-X (VX), soman (GD), sarin (GB), mustard gas (HD), nitrogen mustard (HN-1), hydrocyanic acid (AC), cyanogen chloride (SC), phosgene (CG ). According to the nature of their physiological action on the body, the listed agents are divided into nerve paralytic (VX, GD, GB), blistering (HD, HN-1), general poisonous (AS, SK) and asphyxiating (CG).
Poison nerve agents are classified as organophosphates. The agents of this group have a higher toxicity compared to other agents, as well as the ability to easily enter the body through the respiratory organs, intact skin and the digestive tract.
A characteristic physiological feature of organophosphorus toxic substances is the ability to suppress the activity of various enzymes, among which the cholinesterase enzyme, which regulates the transmission of a nerve impulse, is extremely important for the life of the body.
In the normal state, cholinesterase provides the breakdown of acetylcholine, one of the main mediators (mediators) involved in the transmission of nerve excitation in the synapses of the nervous system. Organophosphorus poisonous substances bind cholinesterase, and it loses its ability to destroy acetylcholine. The result of this is the accumulation of acetylcholine in synapses and nerve endings, which causes muscle contraction and increased work of the salivary and lacrimal glands. External manifestations of disorders of the nervous system are: bronchospasm, skeletal muscle spasms, paralysis of the respiratory center and neuromuscular block of the respiratory center. Each of these manifestations can cause death.
Symptoms of damage by poisonous nerve agents are: severe constriction of the pupils (miosis), bronchospasm, difficulty breathing, profuse salivation, runny nose, sweating, frequent urination, coughing, suffocation, muscle twitching, intestinal spasm, diarrhea. Severe damage is characterized by severe convulsions, profuse foamy discharge from the mouth and nose. After the 3-4th attack, death occurs with obvious signs of respiratory paralysis.
Poisonous substances of blistering action affect the skin of people, the digestive tract when they enter the stomach with food (water) and the respiratory organs when inhaling air contaminated with vapors of these toxic substances. Once on the surface of the skin, mustard gas quickly penetrates the body through the skin, after which it is distributed by the blood to all organs, concentrating mainly in the lungs, liver and slightly in the central nervous system. Mustard gas has the strongest effect on the enzyme hexokinase, which regulates carbohydrate metabolism, and interacts with protein systems of cells, disrupting their functions, up to complete protein denaturation. Thus, the action of mustard gas leads to disruption of tissue metabolism, blockade and destruction of various enzymes. If deoxyribonucleic acid is exposed to mustard gas, then this leads to damage to the chromosomal apparatus and changes in hereditary traits.
If mustard gas gets on the skin, anxiety, severe itching appear, abundant salivation is observed, depression sets in, and the temperature rises. With a severe degree of damage, weakening of cardiac activity develops and death occurs.
In case of poisoning through the digestive organs, swelling of the oral mucosa, swelling of the lips, profuse salivation, and later - swelling of the head, necrosis of the esophagus and stomach, and cardiac disorder are observed. Death occurs from intoxication after 10-15 days or more.
When inhaling mustard gas vapors, depression, coughing, and rhinitis are observed after 4-6 hours. After 3-4 days, purulent inflammation of the mucous membrane of the respiratory tract and pneumonia develop. Death usually occurs within 6-8 days.
Poisonous substances of general toxic action penetrate the body through the respiratory organs in the form of vapors or in a drop-liquid state - through intact skin, mucous membranes of the eyes and mouth, as well as with food and water. This type of agents is characterized by the ability to penetrate into the blood and affect various body systems without causing visible changes at the site of primary contact of agents with tissues.
Signs of damage to general poisonous agents are: bitterness and metallic taste in the mouth, nausea, headache, shortness of breath, convulsions. Death in the affected occurs as a result of heart failure.
If as a result of poisoning death did not follow, then the functions of the affected cells and tissues are more or less quickly restored.
Asphyxiating toxic substances act mainly on the respiratory organs, affecting the walls of the alveoli and pulmonary capillaries. Under the action of phosgene on the respiratory organs, the permeability of the capillary walls increases, which contributes to the formation of pulmonary edema. The main symptoms of the lesion are: eye irritation, lacrimation, dizziness and general weakness. The period of latent action is 4-5 hours, after which cough, blue lips and cheeks appear, headaches, shortness of breath and suffocation occur, the temperature rises to 39 ° C. Death occurs within two days from the moment of pulmonary edema.
To OV, temporarily incapacitating, include psychochemical substances that act on the nervous system and cause mental disorders.
Irritant poisonous substances affect the sensitive nerve endings of the mucous membranes of the eyes and upper respiratory tract.
In the chemical weapons system, a separate group are located toxins- chemical substances of protein nature of plant, animal or microbial origin, which are highly toxic and can, when used, have a damaging effect on the human body and animals. Characteristic representatives of this group are: butulinic toxin - one of the strongest deadly poisons, which is a waste product of the bacterium Clostridium Botulinum; staphylococcal enterotoxin; substance PG and plant toxin - ricin.
To defeat various types of vegetation, toxic chemicals (recipes) phytotoxicants (from the Greek Phyton - plant and toxikon - poison) are intended.
Phtotocoicants for peaceful purposes are used in appropriate doses, mainly in agriculture, to control weeds, to remove the leaves of vegetation in order to accelerate the ripening of fruits and facilitate harvesting (for example, cotton). Phytotoxicants are subdivided into herbicides, arboricides, algaecides, defoliants and desiccants depending on the nature of their physiological action and purpose.
herbicides intended for the defeat of herbaceous vegetation, cereals and vegetable crops; arboricides- for the defeat of tree and shrub vegetation; algicides- to damage aquatic vegetation; defoliants- lead to the fall of leaves of vegetation; desiccants damage vegetation by drying it out.
As standard phytotoxicants in service with the US Army, there are three main formulations: "orange", "white" and blue.
These recipes were widely used by US troops during the military operations in Vietnam to destroy rice and other food crops in densely populated areas. In addition, they were used to destroy vegetation along roads, canals, power lines in order to combat the partisan movement and facilitate aerial reconnaissance, photographing the area, and destroying objects located in the forest. Phytotoxicants in South Vietnam affected about 43% of the entire sown area and 44% of the forest area. At the same time, all phytotoxicants turned out to be toxic for both humans and warm-blooded animals.
Poisonous substances are poisonous chemical compounds that serve to defeat the living forces of the enemy during the war. They have a number of physical and chemical properties, due to which they can be in a liquid, aerosol or vapor state in a combat situation and are the basis of chemical mass destruction). WAs penetrate various open spaces, shelters or structures and infect living organisms that are there, retaining their effect for a certain period of time after their use.
Chemical warfare agents penetrate the human body in several ways: through the skin, respiratory or digestive organs, and mucous membranes. At the same time, the degree and nature of the lesion depend on the ways of penetration into the body, the rate of distribution along it and removal from it, as well as on the methods of action of toxic substances and the individual characteristics of the human body.
To date, there is no specific classification of these substances. The most important are:
1. Physiological classification (according to the effect on the body). This includes unstable toxic substances, persistent and poisonous-smoky agents.
a) unstable OM - capable of contaminating the atmosphere, they form a vapor cloud that spreads along and dissipates rather quickly.
b) persistent agents - liquid substances that create a cloud that is contaminated with an aerosol. Part of the chemicals settles in the form of dew on the nearby territory.
c) smoky agents - are used in the form of various smokes and consist of
2. Tactical classification (according to behavior on the ground). This includes deadly poisonous substances that disable for a certain time period and irritate the agents.
a) lethal action - serve to eliminate living organisms.
b) incapacitating - serve to create a mental disorder in people.
c) irritants - serve to exhaust people.
Also, according to the nature of the impact on the human body, there are:
1. Nerve agents (sarin, VX, soman) - contain phosphorus, so they are highly toxic. They have the ability to accumulate and affect the human nervous system in any way they enter the body. These are colorless, odorless liquids that are highly soluble in natural solvents, but least of all in water.
2. Poisonous agents (phosphine, arsine, hydrocyanic acid) - disrupt the respiration of tissues, stopping their oxidative processes. These substances enter the body through the respiratory and gastrointestinal tract.
3. Asphyxiants (chloropicrin, diphosgene and phosgene) - affect the lung tissue and upper respiratory tract through causing suffocation and death.
4. Irritant toxic substances (CS, dibenzoxazepin, chloracetophenone) - irritates the mucous membranes of the respiratory system and eyes. Used in aerosol form, causing burns, respiratory paralysis, and death.
5. Skin blister agents (lewisite, mustard gas) - enters the body through the skin and mucous membranes, causing poisoning and ulceration at the points of contact with the skin.
6. Psychogenic substances (OB, BZ) - cause psychosis and physical disorders by interrupting the neuromuscular transmission of 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 infecting the human body, causing its poisoning. For timely protection, it is important to quickly detect the agent, determine its type and concentration. Only then can high results be achieved in the provision of medical care to victims during hostilities.
The presence of a large number of toxic substances belonging to the most diverse classes of compounds, with the most diverse physical, chemical and toxic properties, has led to the need for their classification.
As a basis for the classification of toxic substances, the most important characteristic properties inherent in a number of substances are usually used, which, according to these characteristics, are combined into certain groups.
The following classifications of poisonous substances have received the widest recognition: according to toxic action, tactical, according to the behavior of poisonous substances on the ground, and chemical.
Each of these classifications has its own advantages and disadvantages, since it emphasizes some specific properties of poisonous substances and does not take into account or takes little account of other, often no less important properties. As a result, these classifications are not absolute and to some extent conditional; nevertheless, they help to quickly navigate the nature of the action, combat properties, means of application and means of neutralizing poisonous substances.
Classification by toxic effect groups toxic substances according to the results of their impact on the body and external signs of damage. In accordance with this, toxic substances are divided into the following groups.
Poison nerve agents(nerve poisons): tabun, sarin, soman, V-gases and other organic derivatives of phosphoric and alkylphosphonic acids. These substances cause dysfunction of the nervous system, muscle cramps and paralysis.
Poisonous substances of blistering action: mustard gas, nitrogen mustards (trichlorotriethylamine), lewisite. Characteristic of these substances is the ability to affect the skin with the formation of abscesses and ulcers; however, they are all universal cellular poisons and, accordingly, also affect the organs of vision, respiration, and all internal organs.
Poisonous substances of general poisonous action: hydrocyanic acid, cyanogen chloride, hydrogen arsenic, hydrogen phosphide, carbon monoxide, organofluorine compounds. These substances cause a general poisoning of the body, although the mechanism of their action and the signs of damage are completely different.
Asphyxiating poisonous substances: phosgene, diphosgene, triphosgene, phosgenoxime. These substances affect the Lungs, which leads to a violation or cessation of breathing.
Tear poisons(lacrimators): chloroacetophenone, bromobenzyl cyanide, chloropicrin. These substances irritate the mucous membranes of the eyes and upper respiratory tract, causing profuse lacrimation and pain in the eyes and nose.
(sternites): diphenylchlorarsine, diphenylcyanarsine, adamsite. These substances irritate the mucous membranes of the upper respiratory tract and cause uncontrollable sneezing, chest pain, vomiting and other painful phenomena.
Psychochemical substances: lysergic acid diethylamide, mescaline, psilocin, benzyl acid derivatives, etc. These substances cause a disorder in the central nervous system of a person with the appearance of symptoms of mental illness.
Tactical classification divides poisonous substances according to their combat purpose; usually divided into the following three groups.
Deadly poisonous substances, designed to destroy manpower: sarin, V-gases, mustard gas, lewisite, hydrocyanic acid, cyanogen chloride, phosgene. This group includes mainly poisonous substances of nerve paralytic, blistering, general poisonous and asphyxiating action.
Irritant poisonous substances designed to weaken the combat capability of troops, to exhaust them; these substances are also used for police and educational purposes. The group usually includes lacrimators and sternites.
Substances that disable living force, i.e., designed to disorganize troops. This group consists of psychochemical substances.
Classification according to the behavior of toxic substances on the ground in conditions of combat use, he divides poisonous substances into the following two groups.
Persistent Poison Substances (PTS), i.e., substances that retain their damaging effect several hours and even days after application. These poisonous substances infect the area and all objects located on it for a long time, which in turn serves as a source of Long-term air pollution.
Persistent toxic substances include substances with a boiling point above 140 ° - mustard gas, lewisite, etc.
Non-persistent poisonous substances (NOS)-gases or rapidly evaporating liquids, the damaging effect of which lasts only a few tens of minutes after application.
Typical representatives of unstable poisonous substances are phosgene, cyanogen chloride, hydrocyanic acid.
In the opinion of the military experts of the imperialist states, from a tactical point of view, persistent poisonous substances are intended to destroy manpower and to contaminate terrain, water bodies, military equipment, etc., while unstable poisonous substances are intended for the rapid destruction of manpower.
Chemical classification divides toxic substances according to their belonging to certain classes of chemical compounds into the following groups:
- organophosphate poisons- tabun, sarin, soman, V-gases;
- arsenic-containing substances- lewisite, adamsite, diphenylchlorarsine;
- halogenated thioethers, or sulfides, - mustard gas, its analogues and homologues;
- halogenated amines- trichlorotriethylamine, its analogues and homologues;
- derivatives of carbonic acid- phosgene, diphosgene;
- nitriles- hydrocyanic acid, cyanogen chloride;
-halogenated acids and ketones and their derivatives- esters of bromine and iodoacetic acid, chloroacetophenone, chloroacetone, their oximes, etc.;
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 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 normal mobility due to the aggravating effect of both the gas mask and skin protection equipment, causing intolerable 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 poisonous substances of the nerve-paralytic action could manifest their damaging properties 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 introduction of organophosphorus poisonous agents with a nerve-paralytic effect into the arsenals of armaments 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 poisonous substances that would surpass modern deadly poisonous 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 introduction 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 poisonous 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 CS code. 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 CR vapors and aerosols, an intolerable burning sensation 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 in the near future to overcome the gas mask, 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 protection 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 response 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 not 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, tissue growth and regeneration, 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 in the course of a 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
