injuries and poisoning
Nerve Chemical Warfare Agents
Introduction
There are many types of Overview of Chemical-Warfare Agents that affect different parts of the body. Nerve agents (sometimes incorrectly called "nerve gas") affect how nerves transmit signals to muscles and other nerves. There are several types of nerve agents: G-series agents V-series agents A-series agents G-series agents, or G agents, include GA (tabun), GB (sarin), GD (soman), and GF (cyclosarin), which were developed by Nazi Germany before and during World War II. V-series agents include VX. V-series compounds were synthesized after World War II. Nerve agents are similar to Insecticide Poisoning but are far more potent. A-series agents are also called Novichok agents and include A-230, A-232, and A-234. An A agent was used in a 2018 assassination attempt in the United Kingdom, and another A-series agent was used in the 2020 assassination attempt on Russian activist Alexei Navalny. At room temperature, G-series agents are watery liquids that evaporate easily and are dangerous both by skin contact and by inhalation. VX is a liquid with the consistency of motor oil that evaporates relatively slowly and is primarily dangerous by skin contact. A-230, A-232, and A-234 are liquids that are even more persistent than V-series agents. None of the three kinds of nerve agents have a pronounced odor or irritate the skin. Nerve agents work by blocking an enzyme that breaks down one of the types of chemicals that nerve cells use to send signals to other nerve cells and to muscles (neurotransmitters). Because the signaling chemical, acetylcholine, is not broken down normally, it accumulates and excessively stimulates nerves, muscles, and glands (including tear glands, salivary glands, and sweat glands) throughout the body. At first the stimulated muscles twitch and contract uncontrollably, but later they become fatigued and weaken. Exposure to nerve agents can cause long-term neurologic and neurobehavioral problems including anxiety, depression, irritability, and memory problems. 