1-2

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1-2. NERVE AGENTS

Nerve agents are among the deadliest chemical agents. These agents directly affect the human nervous system. If the person is exposed to a sufficient amount of nerve agent (either high concentrations for a short period of time or low concentrations over a longer period of time), the diaphragm and the intercostal muscles of the chest become paralyzed. The paralysis of these muscles results in the casualty not being able to inhale and exhale. Respiratory failure leads to cardiac arrest (heart ceases to pump blood) and death.

a. Types of Nerve Agents. Nerve agents are divided into two major groups: the G-agents and the V-agents. Examples of the G-agents are GA (Tabun), GB (Sarin), and GD (Soman). O-ethyl s-(2 diisopropyl amiono ethyl) methylphosphonothiolate [nerve agent](VX) is an example of a V-agent.

b. Methods of Dissemination. Nerve agents can be dispersed by artillery shell, mortar shell, rocket, aircraft bomb or bomblet, missile, spray, or land mine. Nerve agents can be disseminated as a vapor (spray or aerosol droplets) or liquid.

c. Characteristics of Nerve Agents. Liquid nerve agents range from colorless to light brown. Most nerve agents are odorless and tasteless. They range from nonpersistent to very persistent.

d. Absorption of Nerve Agents. Nerve agent in vapor form is primarily absorbed through the respiratory tract. Small droplets (spray or aerosol) can be absorbed through the skin or eyes or be inhaled. Liquid nerve agent can penetrate ordinary clothing rapidly, but significant absorption through the skin usually requires a few minutes.

(1) If liquid nerve agent is absorbed through the eyes, the effects are felt immediately.

 

(2) If the nerve agent is inhaled, the effects may take from less than a minute to several minutes to appear.

 

(3) If the nerve agent is absorbed through the skin in liquid form, there may be a delay of from 3 minutes to as long as 2 hours before the effects of nerve agent poisoning are felt.

e. Physiological Effects. Nerve agents interfere with the nerves' ability to carry information and control the body's functions. This results in respiratory difficulties, vision problems, headaches, loss of bladder and bowel control, convulsions, and mental confusion. Severe nerve agent poisoning leads to unconsciousness and death. The sign and symptoms present and the severity of nerve agent poisoning depend upon the amount of nerve agent absorbed by the body and the route by which the nerve agent entered the body.

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