CHEMICAL WEAPONS A chemical weapon carries agent of a chemicalsubstance, which is intended for use in militaryoperations. Factors which determine the suitability of achemical substance for use in military operationsare :

Easy to manufacture in bulk. Easy to store. Stable to storage. Physical state at the temperature at which it is likely to be used.

CLASSIFICATION Lethal Agents. Designed to kill, but non

lethal doses may incapacitate.

Damaging Agents. Primarily designed to cause either short or long term damage to men but may cause death.

Incapacitating Agents. Primarily designed to cause mental or physical incapacitation, usually only temporary.

CHEMICAL PROPERTY OF AGENTS Persistent. Agents which are used tocontaminate surfaces, but which may giveoff toxic vapour. In addition to contacthazard, there will be both a local anddownwind vapour hazard.

Non Persistent. Agents designed tocontaminate the air, they disperse fairly and quickly. There will be usually both localand downwind hazard.

FACTORS FOR EFFECTIVENESS The physical characteristics of the agent.

The amount of agent delivered, its grounddensity, and its physical state.

The delivery system used.

The weather and state of ground in thetarget area at the time of the attack andafterwards.

TYPES OF AGENTS Nerve Agents.

Blood Agents.

Choking Agents.

Toxins Agents.

Blistering Agents.

Incapacitating Agents.

EFFECTS OF CHEMICAL AGENTSLikely symptoms are :

Dimness of vision.Irritation of the eyes.Sudden headaches.Tightness of chest.Running nose.Intense salivation.

ROUTES OF ENTRY INTO HUMAN BODIES

Nerve Agents. Inhalation – Breathing. Absorption – Through eyes, skin, contact etc. Ingestion – With food.

Blood Agents - Must be inhaled for effectiveness. Choking Agents - Has to be inhaled. Blister Agents – Same as nerve agents. Incapacitating Agents – Through inhalation.

METHODS OF DELIVERY

Bursting Munitions. Shells, bombs,bomb lets, missiles, rockets, and chemicalmines.

Spray Equipments. Mounted on aircraft ormissiles.

NBC DEFENCE MESURES Pre Attk PrecautionsTrg. NBC Equipt.Op Procedure for NBC Environment.Tac Protection (conceal/dispersion).Medical Precaution.

Contd………

Attak Protection Measures

Detection of NBC Attk. Alarm for NBC Threat.

Post Attk Counter Measures. Reporting NBC Wpn Effect. Measures to Control Damage. Contamination Control. Med Treatment to NBC Casualties.

NBC WARNING SIGNSSer Nature of

ContaminationPrimary Colour

Secondary Colour

Example of Sign Colour

(a) (b) (c) (d) (e)

1 Nuclear White Black

2 Biological Blue Red 20cm 20cm

3 Chemical Yellow Red

28 cm

BIO90°

GAS

ATOM