Chemical weapons - toxic substances, phytotoxicants ( chemical substances that cause damage to plants) and the means of delivering them to the target.

The basis of chemical weapons is toxic substances (S). Poisonous substances are specially synthesized highly toxic chemical compounds, intended for mass destruction unprotected people and animals, contamination of air, terrain, food, feed, water, equipment and other objects. Poisonous substances are classified according to a number of criteria. The most common toxicological classification, according to which all agents are divided into the following groups /4,5,8/:

1. Nerve agents - sarin, soman, VX (Vi-X);
2. NS of blistering action - mustard gas (nitrogen, sulfur and oxygen) and lewisite;
3. General toxic agents - hydrocyanic acid, cyanogen chloride;
4. Suffocating agents - phosgene, diphosgene;
5. Irritant agents - subdivided into irritant, tear and combined irritants, for example, chloracetophenone, adamsite, CS (CS), CR (SI-Ar);
6. OV psychogenic action (psychochemical OV) - substances such as lysergic acid diethylamide (DLK) and derivatives of benzine acid, BZ (Bi-Zet);
7. OV neurotropic action - enterotoxins (batulin type "A" and staphylococcal type "B").

Tactical classification divides OV on a combat basis into three groups:

1. Deadly, which include: nerve agents, skin-abscesses, general poisonous and suffocating agents;
2. Temporarily incapacitating, designed to weaken the combat capability of troops. These substances are also used for educational purposes. This group includes: irritant, tear and combined agents;
3. Disorganizing agents. They are a group of psychogenic poisons.

By the duration of the preservation of the damaging effect OS are divided into persistent and non-persistent. Persistent ones retain their damaging effect for several hours or days after application. Unstable agents are gases or rapidly evaporating liquids, the damaging effect of which lasts only a few tens of seconds after application. The degree and nature of the damage to people by toxic substances depend on their quantity, ways and speed of penetration into the body, as well as the mechanism toxic action.

The amount of a substance that has entered the body is characterized by: concentration - the amount of OM per unit volume of air, liquid; infection density - the amount of OM per unit area (g / m 2); dose - the amount of OM per unit mass of a person, animal, contaminated food or feed.

According to the clinical picture, three degrees of damage are distinguished: mild, moderate and severe. With the action of very large doses of nerve agents of the nerve-paralytic and general poisonous action, death can occur instantly.

Nerve agents, according to their chemical structure, are organophosphorus substances (OPS) /4,6/.

OV toxicity. Distinctive feature nerve agent is the ability to easily and quickly enter the body through the respiratory system, intact skin and digestive tract not only in the drop-liquid, but also in the vapor state.

Mechanism of action Nerve agents, penetrating into the body, inhibit the activity of the cholinesterase enzyme. This explains the intense secretion of the glands, constriction of the pupils, intestinal spasms, Bladder, bronchi, muscle cramps observed in the affected / 8 /.

The clinical picture of the human lesion.

With a mild lesion, mycosis, blurred vision, pain in the eyes and forehead, runny nose with copious liquid secretions, a feeling of tightness in the chest, difficulty exhaling appear. This phenomenon lasts 1-2 days.

Poisoned moderately severe is characterized by a greater severity of symptoms. With inhalation damage, bronchospasm is more pronounced, when it comes into contact with the skin, intense sweating and fibrillation of the muscles in the infected area are noted. Oral poisoning is accompanied by vomiting, severe intestinal spasms, diarrhea, shortness of breath, superficial with wheezing exhalation. The symptom of poisoning disappears no earlier than 4-5 days.

With a severe degree of poisoning, the toxic effect of agents on the central nervous system comes to the fore. The strongest bronchospasm, laryngospasm, twitching of the muscles of the eyelids, face and limbs, a sharp general muscle weakness, tremors develop. Following this, the affected person loses consciousness and has paroxysmal convulsions that continue until the death of the person.

Zone and focus of chemical contamination.

Territories directly affected by enemy chemical weapons, and the territory over which a cloud of contaminated air (CAP) with damaging concentrations has spread, are called the zone of chemical contamination.

The zone of chemical contamination of OM is characterized by the type of substance used, length and depth. The length of the zone is the size of the front of the release of OM from an aircraft or the diameter of the OM spray during a bomb explosion. The depth of the infection zone is the distance from the windward side of the area to that place in the direction of wind movement, where the concentration of OM becomes lower than the damaging one.

The focus of chemical damage (infection) is the territory within which, as a result of the impact of enemy chemical weapons, mass destruction of people, agricultural plants and animals occurred.

Depending on the scale of the use of chemical weapons in the zone of infection, there may be one or more foci of destruction. On the plan or map of the area, the boundaries of the zone of infection and the source of chemical damage are drawn in blue, and the territory of the focus is painted over in yellow. Nearby is written the method of application, the type of OV, the time of strikes (accidents).

Rules of behavior and actions of the population in the focus of chemical damage

Modern toxic substances have extremely high toxicity. Therefore, the timeliness of the actions of the population aimed at preventing the damage to agents will largely depend on the knowledge of the rules of behavior in case of chemical damage.

The appearance of a dark, rapidly settling and dispersing stripe behind a passing aircraft, the formation of a white or slightly colored cloud at the point of rupture aviation bomb give reason to believe that there are toxic substances in the air. In addition, OM drops are clearly visible on asphalt, building walls, plant leaves, and other objects. The presence of toxic substances can also be judged by the way flowers and greens wither under their influence, birds die.

If signs of the use of toxic substances are detected (on a signal "Chemical Alert") it is urgent to put on a gas mask, and, if necessary, skin protection equipment; if there is a shelter nearby, take cover in it. Before entering the shelter, you should remove the used skin protection and outerwear and leave them in the vestibule of the refuge; this precaution prevents the OV from entering the shelter. The gas mask is removed after entering the shelter.

When using a shelter (basement, covered gap, etc.), one should not forget that it can serve as protection against falling on skin and clothes of drop-liquid agents, but does not protect against vapors or aerosols of toxic substances in the air. When staying in such shelters in conditions of external infection, it is imperative to use a gas mask.

You should stay in the shelter (shelter) until you receive an order to leave it. When such an order is received, it is necessary to put on the required personal protective equipment (persons in shelters - gas masks and skin protection, people in shelters and already using gas masks - skin protection) and leave the facility to go outside the lesion .

You need to leave the focus of chemical damage in the directions indicated by special signs or indicated by civil defense (police) posts. If there are no signs or posts, then you should move in the direction perpendicular to the direction of the wind. This will ensure the fastest exit from the lesion, since the depth of the spread of the cloud of contaminated air (it coincides with the direction of the wind) is several times greater than the width of its front.

On the territory contaminated with toxic substances, you must move quickly, but do not run and do not raise dust.

You can not lean against buildings and touch surrounding objects - they can be infected. Do not step on visible drops and smears of agents.

It is forbidden to remove gas masks and other protective equipment in the contaminated area. In cases where it is not known whether the area is infected or not, it is better to act as if it were infected.

Particular care should be taken when moving through the infected area through parks, gardens, vegetable gardens and fields. On the leaves and branches of plants there may be settled drops of OM, when touched they can infect clothes and shoes, which can lead to injury.

If possible, you should avoid driving through ravines and hollows, through meadows and swamps, in these places a long stagnation of vapors of toxic substances is possible.

In cities, OM vapors can stagnate in closed quarters, parks, as well as in the entrances and attics of houses. The infected cloud in the city spreads over the greatest distances through the streets, tunnels, pipelines.

In case of detection after a chemical attack by the enemy or while moving through the contaminated area, drops, smears of toxic substances on the skin, clothes, shoes or personal protective equipment, you must immediately remove them with swabs of gauze or cotton; if there are no such swabs, drops (smears) of OM can be removed with swabs made of paper or rags. Affected areas should be treated with a solution from a chemical bag or by washing thoroughly with warm water and soap.

Having met on the way out of the focus of the lesion the elderly and the disabled, you need to help them go to uncontaminated territory. The injured should be helped.

After leaving the focus of chemical damage, complete sanitization is carried out as soon as possible. If this cannot be done quickly, partial degassing and sanitization are carried out.

CHEMICAL PROTECTION

For the purpose of saving their health and limiting themselves from the harmful effects of the external environment, mankind has come up with a device called a gas mask. The boys get acquainted with its structure and method of application in the lessons. physical education or pre-army training.
A gas mask, a means to protect the respiratory tract, eyes and face skin, can be of three types: filtering, insulating and hose.

A filtering gas mask is designed to protect against a specific gas. Its main task is to filter the surrounding air and rid the latter of poisonous particles. Modern filter P. ( rice. one ) consists of an anti-gas box, a front part (helmet-mask) and a bag. When you inhale, contaminated air enters the box. In an aerosol filter, it is cleaned from aerosols, and in a layer (charge) of activated carbon - from vapors and gases. The air purified in the box enters through a connecting tube under the front part of the P., consisting of a rubber helmet-mask with goggles and a valve box. The P. kit includes anti-fogging agents for spectacle lenses (a special pencil and anti-fogging films). In winter, P. is supplied with insulating cuffs, worn on the spectacle clips of the helmet-mask. Duration of P.'s use can be long; mass P. about 2 kg.

Rice. one.

Filtering gas mask: 1 - gas mask box; 2 - specially treated activated carbon; 3 - aerosol filter; 4 - rubber stopper; 5 - helmet-mask; 6 - points; 7 - valve box; 8 - connecting tube; 9 - gas mask bag; 10 - strap; 11 - braid; 12 - special pencil; 13 - anti-fogging films; 14 - insulating cuff.

When using an insulating gas mask, a person does not breathe environmental air at all. In the structure of the protective agent itself, there is a regenerative cartridge that generates oxygen. Such gas masks are more versatile, but less compact.

Rice. 2.

General view of an insulating gas mask with an open bag: 1 - front part; 2 - regenerative cartridge; 3- breathing bag; 4 - frame; 5 - bag.

Another type of protective agent against gases, which is not afraid of any chemistry, hose gas mask. In it, the supply of oxygen to a person is carried out using special tubes from ten to forty meters long. It is often used when working in mines or underwater.

And also there are children's gas masks various designs

The first gas mask was invented in Tsarist Russia. Its author was the domestic scientist Zelinsky Nikolai Dmitrovich. This event happened in the year nineteen fifteen of the last century. Such means of chemical protection began to be actively used in 1916, when they entered service with the Entente army. It is worth noting that the first gas mask was a filter type.
As of the twenty-first century, many models of gas masks have been developed.

USE OF A GAS MASK

A generally accepted order of their dressing was invented. So, equipping with a gas mask begins with closing the eyes and holding the breath. The next steps are to bring the device into working condition and put on the mask. The procedure ends with exhalation and checking the fit of the helmet-mask to the person's head. After that, the location of the spectacle node is checked, which should be at eye level.

SKIN PROTECTION

Structurally, skin protection products are usually made in the form of overalls, semi-overalls, jackets with hoods and trousers. When put on, they provide significant areas of overlap at the junction of various elements. The set of protective equipment may include: protective (rubber) boots, protective stockings and protective (rubber) gloves.

AFTER THE DEFEAT

Agent of blistering action

The group of agents with blistering action includes mustard gas and lewisite. Mustard gas - dichlorodiethyl sulfide; the pure product is an oily liquid. The toxicity of mustard gas is high, the vapor concentration of 0.07 mg / l with a 30-minute exposure can cause the death of the poisoned person. Skin lesions can occur not only under the action of OM drops, but also its vapors. Mustard gas is especially sensitive to skin with a thin layer of the epidermis, as well as subjected to friction by the collar, belt, in the area of ​​​​the shoulder blades, hips (Fig.). The mucous membranes of the eyes and respiratory tract are sensitive. Lewisite - chlorovinyldichloroarsine; oily liquid of dark brown color with a smell of geranium. The toxicity of lewisite is several times greater than mustard gas.
Clinical defeat by mustard gas. Mustard gas can enter the body through the respiratory system, skin, wound, gastrointestinal tract, eyes. It is a cellular poison. It affects the tissues of the eyes, causing conjunctivitis, keratitis, or keratoconjunctivitis. With a toxic effect on the skin surface, mustard dermatitis occurs: from erythematous forms in mild cases to bullous and necrotic dermatitis in severe degrees of damage (Fig. 1-4).

If mustard gas enters through the respiratory system, rhinitis, laryngitis, bronchitis and pneumonia are observed. When the OB is affected through the gastrointestinal tract, mustard gastritis and gastroenterocolitis are observed. The inflammatory process caused by the action of mustard gas, in comparison with ordinary inflammation, has a number of features: 1) in initial period the effect of OV on the skin does not cause pain; 2) vascular and other reactions to mustard gas do not occur immediately, sometimes after 12-24 hours from the moment of exposure to the agent (“latent action period”); 3) mustard lesions proceed sluggishly, therefore, even with extensive skin lesions, there is no primary and secondary shock; 4) various infectious complications are very frequent. Along with the "local" action of mustard gas, phenomena of general intoxication are also observed. Their nature and degree are determined by the severity of the lesion. The most pronounced phenomena of general intoxication are observed when exposed to large doses of agents. At the same time, the psyche of the victims is disturbed: they are depressed and easily fall into a state of stupor. Due to the violation of tissue trophism, the healing of mustard ulcers proceeds sluggishly, and the regeneration period stretches for many months. In victims, there are phenomena of violation of protein and other types of metabolism. The processes of protein synthesis are especially affected. Patients quickly lose weight and "mustard cachexia" may develop. Body temperature is elevated to 38-39 °. Persistent leukopenia and anemia are noted. The function of the cardiovascular system is impaired (bradycardia, hypotension). Constant nausea, vomiting and diarrhea, alternating with constipation, tenesmus.
The mechanism of the toxic action of mustard gas has not been fully established. It is assumed that as a result of the action of mustard gas, the exchange of nucleotides and nucleosides is disturbed.
Prevention of lesions with mustard gas and first aid. If the agent gets into the eyes, they should be washed abundantly with a 2% aqueous solution of soda or boric acid. The mouth, nasal passages and nasopharynx should be rinsed with a 2% aqueous solution of soda or a 0.25% solution of chloramine. If mustard gas enters the stomach with food and water, induce vomiting, give 25 g of activated charcoal in a glass of water, rinse the stomach with a 0.05% aqueous solution of potassium permanganate. This procedure is repeated several times in a row.
Treatment. Specific means of treatment (antidotes) have not been created. Treatment is symptomatic. It includes first aid measures, and is also aimed at preventing infectious complications, inflammatory changes (antibiotics and other drugs). Treatment involves the use of drugs and measures that increase the body's defenses (antihistamines, biostimulants, multivitamins, etc.). The combination of such activities allows you to deal with the phenomena of general intoxication and can have a beneficial effect on the course of the local process.
Clinical defeat by lewisite. Lewisite damage results in pain in places of contact with OV; the period of latent action is shorter; healing of the affected areas occurs in more short time than with mustard gas.
The mechanism of the toxic action of lewisite is to block enzymes containing sulfhydryl groups - SH (glutathione, etc.), which disrupts oxidative processes in tissues.
Prevention of lesions by lewisite and treatment of those affected. The most effective are specific antidotes for arsenic-containing agents such as dimercaptopropanol - BAL and unithiol. Unitiol is available in powder form and in ampoules containing 5 ml of a 5% solution. For the treatment of affected patients, it is recommended to administer a 5% solution of the drug intramuscularly or subcutaneously, 5 ml per injection, repeating injections if necessary. If lewisite gets into the eyes, a 30% unitiol ointment is applied over the eyelid. If it enters the stomach, they induce vomiting, wash the stomach abundantly, and then give 5-20 ml of a 5% solution of unitiol to drink. For inhalation lesions, inhalations with a 5% aqueous solution of unithiol are recommended. Along with this, it is necessary to inhale the anti-smoke mixture from the individual anti-chemical package. Treatment of those affected by lewisite involves the use of a combination of an antidote and symptomatic agents. In this case, Unithiol is administered intramuscularly and subcutaneously according to the scheme: on the first day - a 5% solution of 5 ml 3-4 times a day, and then 1-2 of the same injections for 5-7 days. To side effects specific therapy include nausea, vomiting, dizziness and tachycardia, but they quickly pass.

Nerve agents

Nerve agents (organophosphorus agents - FOVs) are the main group of modern agents. OPAs include sarin, soman, and V-gases. They are dangerous to an unprotected person when used in liquid, aerosol and vapor states. In a chemically pure form, FOVs do not have a pronounced odor and color; they do not irritate the skin and mucous membranes. They dissolve well in organic solvents, and some of them also in water.
POVs are dangerous not only when exposed through the respiratory system, but also if they come into contact with intact skin (Table 1).

The degree of toxicity of FOV

Clinical defeat of OV nerve-paralytic action. FOV affect the body in any way of entry - through the respiratory system, skin, gastrointestinal tract, wound (burn) surface. In all cases, the same clinical picture of the lesion occurs, although some symptoms and the time of their manifestation may be somewhat different. So, with inhalation of FOV, the initial symptoms appear very early - after tens of seconds - minutes. In this case, a violation of the accommodation of the eyes is observed, as well as constriction of the pupils (miosis) and shortness of breath. When wounds are infected, the toxic effect can manifest itself after 5-30 minutes, the initial signs of damage are accompanied by fibrillar contractions of muscle fibers (myofibrillation). When OM enters through the skin, myofibrillations are also noted, but they sometimes appear after a few hours. With the oral route of damage, vomiting and diarrhea are often observed, then the phenomena of general intoxication develop, which are characteristic of any route of penetration of FOV. There are three degrees of injury - mild, moderate and severe.
At mild degree the patient complains of a feeling of lack of air, shortness of breath. Vision gradually worsens: accommodation (adaptation) of the eyes is disturbed, the reaction of the pupil to light slows down, the pupil narrows and does not respond to light - bilateral complete miosis occurs. The victim, even in clear weather, sees everything, as if in a thick fog, and at dusk and at night he becomes practically blind and needs outside help. Along with this, some of the affected complain of severe headaches, pain in the heart or dyspepsia, general weakness. Possible mental disorders. The symptoms of the lesion subside after 2-5 days, and the poisoning ends with a complete recovery.
With a moderate lesion, all the symptoms described above are initially observed, but after a few minutes, shortness of breath reaches a significant degree due to the onset of bronchospasm, resembling asthma attacks in bronchial asthma. The condition of the victim is rapidly deteriorating - vision is impaired, sometimes vomiting and diarrhea appear, accompanied by pain in the abdomen, sweating, salivation, bronchorrhea are observed. There is bradycardia and a drop in blood pressure. Consciousness is preserved, but at times it can be clouded. The patient refuses to eat, is agitated, extremely restless. The leading sign of the lesion is bronchospasm (suffocation attacks). With timely treatment, the affected people recover in 1-2 weeks. Sometimes for a long time there is a state of asthenia.
In the case of a severe defeat of FOV, the phenomena of general intoxication rapidly increase, the patient loses consciousness, there are attacks of general clonic tonic convulsions, pronounced bronchospasm, bronchorrhea, and salivation. If timely medical care is not provided to such an affected person, death may occur. The leading symptom of a severe degree of damage are attacks of general convulsions. If a seriously injured person is given timely and effective medical care, recovery occurs within 1-2 months.
The mechanism of the toxic action of FOVs is based on their ability to inhibit the cholinesterase enzyme. As a result, the metabolism of acetylcholine is disturbed in the body of the poisoned person and it accumulates in in large numbers. In addition, FOVs are able to directly affect nerve cells and CNS synapses.
For the treatment of affected FOV, the use of specific antidotes (see Antidotes, OS) and means of pathogenetic and symptomatic therapy is expected (Table 2).

An approximate scheme for the treatment of affected FOV (according to S. N. Golikov and V. I. Rosengardt, 1964)

Atropine (anticholinergic) and 2 PAM (cholinesterase reactivator), as well as other specific treatments, are included in the regimen as antidotes.
The first medical aid in the centers of chemical contamination is provided in the order of self- and mutual assistance, as well as by orderlies and sanitary instructors of the troops or personnel of sanitary posts and dignity. squad MSGO. First aid includes measures to prevent lesions, and is also aimed at stopping the development of the main symptoms of intoxication if it occurs. At the signal “chemical attack”, you must quickly and correctly put on a gas mask and skin protection. With the appearance of initial signs of damage to the FOV, it is necessary to inject intramuscularly with the help of a syringe tube of the FOV antidote. The antidote is injected into the muscles of the anterior surface of the thigh directly through the uniform (clothes). If skin contamination with organophosphorus agents is suspected, partial sanitation is carried out using an individual anti-chemical package (see). With the threat of respiratory arrest - artificial respiration (see). Then the victim should be evacuated as soon as possible to the PHC, OPM or the nearest medical institution, where he can be provided with medical assistance.

used materials medical-enc.ru, protivogas.ru and dic.academic.ru

The basis of the damaging effect of chemical weapons is toxic substances (S), which have a physiological effect on the human body.

Unlike other combat weapons, chemical weapons effectively destroy the enemy's manpower for up to large area without destruction material resources. This is a weapon of mass destruction.

Together with the air, toxic substances penetrate into any premises, shelters, military equipment. The damaging effect persists for some time, objects and terrain become infected.

Types of poisonous substances

Poisonous substances under the shell of chemical munitions are in solid and liquid form.

At the moment of their application, when the shell is destroyed, they come into a combat state:

• vaporous (gaseous);
• aerosol (drizzle, smoke, fog);
• drip-liquid.

Poisonous substances are the main damaging factor of chemical weapons.

Characteristics of chemical weapons

Such weapons are shared:

• According to the type of physiological effects of OM on the human body.
• For tactical purposes.
• By the speed of the coming impact.
• According to the resistance of the applied OV.
• By means and methods of application.

Human exposure classification:

• OV nerve agent action. Deadly, fast-acting, persistent. They act on the central nervous system. The purpose of their use is the rapid mass incapacitation of personnel with the maximum number of deaths. Substances: sarin, soman, tabun, V-gases.
• OV skin blister action. Deadly, slow acting, persistent. They affect the body through the skin or respiratory organs. Substances: mustard gas, lewisite.
• OV of general toxic action. Deadly, fast acting, unstable. They disrupt the function of the blood to deliver oxygen to the tissues of the body. Substances: hydrocyanic acid and cyanogen chloride.
• OV suffocating action. Deadly, slow acting, unstable. The lungs are affected. Substances: phosgene and diphosgene.
• OV psychochemical action. Non-lethal. They temporarily affect the central nervous system, affect mental activity, cause temporary blindness, deafness, a sense of fear, restriction of movement. Substances: inuclidyl-3-benzilate (BZ) and lysergic acid diethylamide.
• OV irritating action (irritants). Non-lethal. They act quickly, but for a short time. Outside the infected zone, their effect stops after a few minutes. These are tear and sneezing substances that irritate the upper respiratory tract and can affect the skin. Substances: CS, CR, DM(adamsite), CN(chloroacetophenone).

Damage factors of chemical weapons

Toxins are chemical protein substances of animal, plant or microbial origin with high toxicity. Typical representatives: butulic toxin, ricin, staphylococcal entsrotoxin.

The damaging factor determined by toxodose and concentration. The zone of chemical contamination can be divided into the focus of exposure (people are massively affected there) and the zone of distribution of the infected cloud.

First use of chemical weapons

Chemist Fritz Haber was a consultant to the German War Office and is called the father of chemical weapons for his work in the development and use of chlorine and other poisonous gases. The government set the task before him - to create chemical weapons with irritating and toxic substances. It's a paradox, but Haber believed that with the help of a gas war, he would save many lives by ending the trench war.

The history of application begins on April 22, 1915, when the German military first launched a chlorine gas attack. A greenish cloud arose in front of the trenches of the French soldiers, which they watched with curiosity.

When the cloud came close, a sharp smell was felt, the soldiers stinged in the eyes and nose. The mist burned the chest, blinded, choked. Smoke moved deep into the French positions, sowing panic and death, and was followed by German soldiers with bandages on his face, but they had no one to fight with.

By evening, chemists from other countries found out what kind of gas it was. It turned out that any country can produce it. Salvation from him turned out to be simple: you need to cover your mouth and nose with a bandage soaked in a solution of soda, and plain water on a bandage weakens the effect of chlorine.

After 2 days, the Germans repeated the attack, but the Allied soldiers soaked clothes and rags in puddles and applied them to their faces. Thanks to this, they survived and remained in position. When the Germans entered the battlefield, machine guns “spoke” to them.

Chemical weapons of the First World War

On May 31, 1915, the first gas attack on the Russians took place. Russian troops mistook the greenish cloud for camouflage and brought even more soldiers to the front line. Soon the trenches filled with corpses. Even the grass died from the gas.

In June 1915, they began to use a new poisonous substance - bromine. It was used in projectiles.

In December 1915 - phosgene. It smells like hay and has a lingering effect. Cheapness made it easy to use. At first they were produced in special cylinders, and by 1916 they began to make shells.

Bandages did not save from blistering gases. It penetrated through clothes and shoes, causing burns on the body. The area was poisoned for more than a week. Such was the king of gases - mustard gas.

Not only the Germans, their opponents also began to produce gas-filled shells. In one of the trenches of the First World War, Adolf Hitler was also poisoned by the British.

For the first time, Russia also used this weapon on the battlefields of the First World War.

Chemical weapons of mass destruction

Experiments with chemical weapons took place under the guise of developing poisons for insects. Used in the gas chambers of concentration camps "Cyclone B" - hydrocyanic acid - an insecticidal agent.

"Agent Orange" - a substance for deleafing vegetation. Used in Vietnam, soil poisoning caused severe illness and mutations in the local population.

In 2013, in Syria, in the suburbs of Damascus, a chemical attack was carried out on a residential area - the lives of hundreds of civilians were claimed, including many children. A nerve agent was used, most likely Sarin.

One of the modern variants of chemical weapons is binary weapons. It comes in combat readiness eventually chemical reaction after connecting two harmless components.

Victims of chemical weapons of mass destruction are all those who fell into the strike zone. Back in 1905 it was signed international agreement on the non-use of chemical weapons. To date, 196 countries around the world have signed up to the ban.

In addition to chemical to weapons of mass destruction and biological.

Types of protection

• Collective. Shelter can provide long stay people without personal protective equipment, if equipped with filter-ventilation kits and well sealed.
• Individual. Gas mask, protective clothing and a personal chemical bag (PPI) with antidote and liquid to treat clothing and skin lesions.

Prohibition on use

Humanity was shocked by the terrible consequences and huge losses of people after the use of weapons of mass destruction. Therefore, in 1928, the Geneva Protocol came into force on the prohibition of the use in war of asphyxiating, poisonous or other similar gases and bacteriological agents. This protocol prohibits the use of not only chemical, but also biological weapons. In 1992, another document came into force, the Chemical Weapons Convention. This document complements the Protocol, it speaks not only of a ban on the manufacture and use, but also on the destruction of all chemical weapons. The implementation of this document is controlled by a specially created committee at the UN. But not all states signed this document, for example, it was not recognized by Egypt, Angola, North Korea, South Sudan. It also entered into legal force in Israel and Myanmar.

under chemical weapons understand poisonous substances, their means of delivery and application.

Poisonous substances include the most toxic chemical warfare agents, the use of which affects people, animals, plants, as well as contamination of the area and objects on it.

Delivery of poisonous substances can be carried out with the help of rockets, aerosol generators, aviation chemical bombs, shells, mines, grenades, as well as binary munitions.

For poisonous substances are characteristic:

Volumetric contamination of the external environment;

The duration of the preservation of the damaging effect;

A variety of clinics and dynamics of the development of poisoning;

The penetration of toxic substances not only through the respiratory system, but also through the skin;

Psycho-emotional impact;

Use of personal protective equipment.

According to the main clinical syndrome, toxic substances are divided into:

-nerve agent(sarin, soman, vegas, tabun)

-blister action(mustard gas);

-suffocating action(phosgene, diphosgene);

-general poisonous action(hydrocyanic acid, cyanogen chloride);

-irritant(si-es, si-ar, chloropicrin, adamsite);

-psychochemical action(B-Zet, LSD).

As a result of the use of chemical weapons, there are foci of chemical contamination.

Population losses can range from a few percent to 90%.

1. Biological weapons and possible consequences of their use

The idea of ​​using pathogens as means of destruction was suggested by life itself.

Infectious diseases constantly claimed thousands of human lives, and the epidemics that accompanied wars caused heavy losses among the troops.

Biological weapons include pathogenic microorganisms and their toxins capable of infecting humans, animals and plants, as well as their means of delivery.

The most dangerous infectious diseases include: plague, cholera, smallpox, tularemia, glanders, typhus, yellow fever, anthrax, botulism, etc.

Despite international agreements on the prohibition of the use of biological weapons, they can be used by aggressor countries, terrorists.

The most likely method of delivery of biological agents is aerosol (using aircraft, helicopters, rockets, bombs, mines, etc.).

As a result of the use of biological weapons, a zone of biological contamination is formed.

Zone of biological contamination - the territory directly affected by biological weapons.

The zone of infection includes the area of ​​application and distribution of biological agents and is characterized by length, depth and area.

The size of the focus of biological contamination depends on the method of distribution, weather conditions, terrain, the nature of buildings and the layout of settlements.

The degree of damage depends on the name of the disease.

1. The latest means of destruction

Geophysical weapons - a set of means that make it possible to use the destructive forces of nature for military purposes through artificially caused physical properties and processes in the atmosphere, hydrosphere and lithosphere (artificial earthquakes, droughts, powerful wave tides, hurricanes, mountain falls, snow avalanches, landslides, mudflows, magnetic storms, polar lights). Through the use of chemicals, as well as powerful electromagnetic and thermal generators.

Radiological weapons - the use of military radioactive substances that cause ionizing radiation. The action of these substances is comparable to the action of radioactive substances.

Beam weapon - a set of devices whose damaging effect is based on the use of electromagnetic energy rays. (lasers, beam accelerators)

Accelerating weapon - kind of beam. The striking factor is a highly directed beam of charged or neutral particles (electrons, protons, hydrogen atoms)

RF weapons - based on the use of electromagnetic radiation of ultrahigh frequency. The object of defeat is the population (affects the human psyche)

Infrared weapon - means of mass destruction. It is based on the use of directional radiation of powerful infrared vibrations with a frequency of 16 Hz. I work on the central nervous system, digestive organs.

Other promising types of weapons - high-frequency weapons, means of electronic and information warfare, meteorological, biological (psychotropic means), biotechnological, genetic, ethnic.

Modern conventional weapons.

1) Nerve agents (Zarin, soman,VX).

a) Sarin - vapor and fine aerosol. Signs of damage: miosis, photophobia, shortness of breath, chest effect (chest pain), has a less pronounced effect on the central nervous system than soman, VX.

The average lethal toxodosis when inhaled for 1 minute is 0.10 mg / l. There is no hidden action.

b) Soman - steam, coarse aerosol. Signs of damage: the same, but in addition to inhalation, it enters the body through the skin and is 5 times more toxic than sarin.

c) VX - aerosol, drops. Signs of defeat: the same, but penetrates the body through the respiratory system, clothing and skin. Has a cumulative effect. Lethal dose - within 1 minute - 0.01 mg / l. Through the skin - 7 mg per person.

2) Skin blister agents (mustard gas).

a) Mustard gas - steam, drops. Signs of defeat:

In the form of vapor - through the skin, eyes, respiratory tract and lungs;

In the form of drops - skin, eyes and food.

It has a secretive and cumulative effect. At a concentration in the form of a vapor of 4 x 10 -3 mg / l causes pulmonary edema, 1 x 10 -3 mg / l - inflammation of the eyes, 0.1 mg / l - loss of vision. The average lethal dose when inhaled for 1 minute is 1.30 mg / l, through the skin 5 g / person, redness on the body - after 2-6 hours, blistering - after 24 hours, ulcers - after 2-3 days. There are no antidotes.

3) OM of general toxic action ( hydrocyanic acid, cyanogen chloride)

a) Hydrocyanic acid - liquid, vapor. Signs of defeat: bitterness and metallic taste in the mouth, nausea, headache, shortness of breath, convulsions. The lethal dose within 1 minute by inhalation is 2 mg/l. and causes heart failure. Penetrates the body through the respiratory tract and skin. Antidotes: amyl nitrite, propyl nitrite.

b) Cyanogen chloride - liquid, steam. Signs of damage: dizziness, vomiting, fear, loss of consciousness, convulsions, paralysis, in addition, it irritates the eyes at a concentration of 2 x 10 -3 g/m 3 and the respiratory system. There is no hidden action.

4) Suffocating agents (phosgene)

Phosgene is a gas. Signs of damage: causes pulmonary edema and impaired or cessation of breathing, irritates the eyes and mucous membranes, blue lips, shortness of breath, the temperature rises, up to 39 0 C. It has a cumulative effect. The hidden period is 4-5 hours. The lethal dose within 1 minute of inhalation is 3.2 mg/L. There are no antidotes.

5) OV psychochemical action (B-Z)

Bi-zet - powder, aerosol (smoke). Signs of damage: dysfunction of the vestibular apparatus, the appearance of vomiting, visual and auditory hallucinations, speech retardation, dryness and redness of the skin, dilated pupils and general weakness, depression of the psyche. It has a period of latent action - 0.5 - 3 hours. Causes confusion among the population, makes it impossible to make reasonable decisions.

6) RH irritating action (chloroacetophenone, adamsite, CS, CI-Ar)

a) Chloracetophenone - powder, steam. Signs of damage: affects the mucous membranes of the eyes, upper respiratory tract. At a concentration of 2 x 10 -5 g/m 3 in air, it is detected by smell, and at 3 x 10 -3 g/m 3 - intolerable smell. In the summer, a concentration of 0.2 g / m 3 of vapor is sufficient for damage.

b) Adamsite - crystalline substance, aerosol (smoke). Signs of damage: severe irritation of the nasopharynx, chest pain, vomiting, cough, runny nose, lacrimation.

c) CS - powder, aerosol, (smoke). Signs of defeat: burning and pain in the eyes and chest, causes burns to exposed skin and paralysis of the respiratory system. At a concentration of 5 x 10 -3 g / m 3 - death.

d) C-Ar - crystalline substance, aerosol, (smoke). Signs of defeat: the same as CS, but much stronger than him. Irritant to human skin.

7) Toxins - chemicals of protein nature of plant, animal and microbial origin. Given the damaging effect, they are included in the composition of chemical weapons. There are some reasons for this:

By their structure, toxins are no different from ordinary chemical compounds and can be obtained synthetically;

Toxins are not viable and cannot multiply;

They do not have an incubation period, the period of latent action depends only on the dose and routes of entry into the body;

Toxin infestations are not infectious diseases;

The principles and methods of application are the same as for the application of OV.

a) Botulinum toxin type A is a crystalline substance. Signs of damage: headache, weakness, blurred vision, double vision, vomiting and paralysis of the esophagus, develops a feeling of thirst, pain in the stomach. Hidden action - 30-36 hours. Death - after 1-10 days from paralysis of the heart muscle and respiratory muscles.

b) Staphylococcal enterotoxin type B is a fluffy powder obtained from Staphylococcus aureus bacteria. In the US Army, he received the code - PG (pei - ji). Signs of damage: respiratory organs, gastrointestinal tract, open wound surfaces. Symptoms of the lesion are in the nature of food poisoning. Hidden action - up to 6 hours.

c) Ricin is a powdered substance, an aerosol. Ricin is obtained by extraction from castor seeds. Close to Sarin and Soman. Damage occurs at concentrations above 0.3 mg/kg.

The influence of various factors on the damaging effect of Kh.O.

When the agent is used over the territory where the objects are located, a cloud of contaminated air (AIA) is formed with damaging agent concentrates and form a zone of chemical contamination. The zone of chemical contamination of the OM is characterized by the type of substance used, the length and depth, as well as the density of contamination.

The length of the contamination zone is the size of the front of the OM outflow from the aircraft or the diameter of the OM spray during the explosion of bombs or a series of bombs, rockets, shells, mines, grenades. The distance from the windward side of the application area to the point in the direction of wind movement, where the concentration of agents becomes below the damaging one, is called the depth of the contamination zone.

The density of infection is determined by the degree of contamination of the area where the agent is applied.

When using OV, the enemy will take into account:

The size of the territory or area and the category of objects on it; weather conditions; terrain; the nature of the building or vegetation; water sources.

In settlements with dense buildings and narrow streets, as well as in forests, OM will linger and maintain a high concentration longer. In the forest, OZV will linger, and the zone of infection will have a shallower depth than in open areas.

Since OM is heavier than air, they will accumulate in hollows, ravines, gorges, grooves, pits, etc., creating stagnant "gas swamps". Therefore, use terrain folds, depressions, hollows to protect against explosive agents, as recommended in the explosion of a nuclear weapon, is strictly prohibited.

The use of agents can cause great damage to agricultural facilities of the agro-industrial complex. Farm animals will die because they cannot be provided with personal protective equipment. Persistent agents will infect the area and agricultural areas for a long time. lands, meadows, will destroy and withdraw from crop rotation grain, legumes for several years. Bulk products of fields and processing industry, subjected to severe contamination with OM, as a rule, are not degassed, but are disposed of or destroyed. This makes it much more difficult to provide the population with food. Measures for degassing buildings and structures require a lot of work, a huge amount of equipment, means against agents, energy and water for irrigation in order to wash out agents from the surface.

Under chemical weapons understand poisonous substances, their means of delivery and application.

To poisonous substances (OV) include chemicals of the highest toxicity that can be used to infect people, animals, plants, as well as to infect the territory and objects located on them.

Delivery of poisonous substances can be carried out and with the help of rockets, aerosol generators, aviation chemical bombs, shells, mines, grenades, as well as bulk aviation devices. A variety of ammunition are binary ammunition. They consist of two non-toxic chemical elements, but after their mechanical connection, a highly toxic compound is formed.

Chemical weapons used first world war(1914), during the Korean War (1952), in the Vietnam War. The Geneva Convention of 1925 prohibits the use of chemical weapons named in the Convention, but it is not forbidden to have them, and therefore many countries have had and still have such weapons. In January 1993 signed international convention on the prohibition of the development, production, stockpiling and use of chemical weapons, as well as the elimination of existing ones.

For example, the structure of losses from the use of organophosphorus agents can be as follows: irretrievable - 50-55%, sanitary - 45-50%, of which heavy losses - 25%, light - 25%. The use of chemical weapons by terrorists poses a particular danger to the population.

The combat state of the OV is steam, aerosol, drops.

Ways of penetration of agents into the body:

1) through the respiratory system;

2) through the skin;

3) through the gastrointestinal tract.

OS classification

According to the nature of the physiological action of agents on the body, they are divided into nerve-paralytic, blistering, general poisonous, suffocating, psychochemical and irritating.

Nerve agents(sarin-1939 Germany;, soman-1944-Germany, VX);

Sarin (GB) (methylphosphonic acid isopropyl fluoroanhydride) is a colorless transparent liquid with a slight fruity odor, LC 50 = 0.075 mg min/L, LD 50 = 24 mg/kg.

Soman (GD) fluoroanhydride of pinacoline ester of methylphosphonic acid is a colorless liquid with a slight smell of camphor, LC 50 = 0.03 mg.min / l, LD 50 = 1.4 mg / kg.

Vi-ex (VX) O-ethyl S-2-(N, N-diisopropylamino) methyl phosphonic acid ethyl ester - colorless liquid, odorless, LC 50 = 0.01 mg.min / l, LD 50 = 0.1 mg /kg.

Nerve agents affect the central nervous system. Under the influence of small concentrations of this group of organic matter, the affected patients experience miosis of the eyes (the phenomenon of constriction of the pupils, leading to weakening of vision until it is temporarily lost, especially at dusk), shortness of breath, tightness in the chest (retrosternal effect); when exposed to high concentrations - salivation, dizziness, vomiting, loss of consciousness, severe convulsions, paralysis and death.

Agent of blistering action(technical mustard gas, distilled mustard gas, mustard gas recipes, nitrogen mustard)

Mustard gas (HD) is an oily, colorless liquid with a mustard or garlic odor.

Mustard gas has a local blistering and general toxic effect. In a drop-liquid, aerosol and vapor state, mustard gas affects the skin and eyes; in the aerosol and vapor state - the respiratory tract and lungs, has cumulative properties.

Relative toxicity during inhalation LC 50 = 1.5 mg min / l with a latent action period from 4 hours to a day, LD 50 = 70 mg / kg.

OS of general toxic action(hydrocyanic acid, cyanogen chloride)

Hydrocyanic acid (AC) HCN, hydrogen cyanide - a colorless volatile liquid with the smell of bitter almonds. LC 50 =2 mg. min/l

Cyanogen chloride (CK) CLCN, cyanic acid chloride is a colorless, heavy, volatile liquid. LC 50 = 11 mg.min / l.

Both substances are very volatile, so they infect when combat use only air. Penetrate into the body through the respiratory system. When exposed to high concentrations, a person falls, loses consciousness, convulsions appear. The convulsive period soon passes into the paralytic stage, ending in death.

OV suffocating action(phosgene, diphosgene)

Phosgene (CG), carbonic acid dichlorohydride, is a colorless liquid. LC 50 = 3.2 mg. min/l Under normal conditions, it is a gas, 3.5 times heavier than air. Phosgene affects the lung tissue, as a result of which the lungs cannot absorb oxygen from the air and this leads to the death of the organism. Phosgene has a period of latent action (from 2 to 12 hours) and cumulative properties (i.e., damage from its non-lethal doses accumulates in the body, which can lead to severe poisoning, up to death).

OV psychochemical action(BZ, LSD)

Bized (BZ), quinuclidyl ether of benzyl acid is a colorless crystalline substance, tasteless and odorless, used in an aerosol state. LC 50 = 0.11 mg. min/l, LD 50 =10 mg. min/l

When it enters the body in a small amount, this OM disrupts the mental activity of a person, causes temporary blindness, deafness, hallucinations, a sense of fear and limitation of the motor functions of individual organs. Fatal lesions are uncommon for BZ; they can occur only in the elderly, children and people suffering from respiratory diseases.

RH irritating action(adamsite, C-S, C-Achloroacetaphenone, C-S "CS" and C-Ar "CR")

CS (CS), O-chlorobenzalmalononitrile is a solid, colorless substance with a specific, pepper-like taste.

The first signs of damage appear at ISnach = 0.002 mg/l. A concentration of 0.005 mg/l is intolerable for 1 minute. Relative toxicity with inhalation IC 50 = 0.02 mg min / l, with IC 50 values ​​= 2.7 mg.min / l, lung lesions are noted. In case of inhalation of CS aerosol from pyrotechnic mixtures, IC 50 value = 61 mg. min/l

Si-Ar (CR), dibenz (c, f) (1, 4) oxazepine - yellow powdery substance, toxicity LC 50 = 350 mg. min/l Causes profuse lacrimation, pain in the eyes; possible temporary loss of vision. Inhalation of the aerosol causes severe coughing, sneezing and runny nose. Causes irritation to wet skin.

According to their tactical purpose and the nature of the damaging effect, agents are divided into the following 4 groups:

Lethal agents (VX, sarin, soman, distilled mustard gas, mustard gas formulation, nitrogen mustard, hydrocyanic acid, cyanogen chloride, phosgene);

Temporarily incapacitating manpower OB (BZ);

Irritant agents (adamsite, CS, CR);

Educational OV. Depending on the duration of the retention of the damaging ability of lethal agents, they are divided into persistent and unstable.

Persistent agents include VX, soman, distilled mustard gas.

The unstable ones include rapidly evaporating agents, which, when used in combat in open areas, retain their damaging effect for several tens of minutes (hydrocyanic acid, cyanogen chloride, phosgene).

Depending on the speed of their action on the body and the appearance of signs of damage, agents are divided into fast-acting and slow-acting.

High-speed agents include agents that do not have a period of latent action and lead to damage in a few minutes: sarin, soman, hydrocyanic acid, cyanogen chloride, CS, CR.

Slow-acting agents have a latency period and lead to damage after some time (VX, distilled mustard gas, phosgene, BZ).