Potential Chemical Weapons

Source: A FOA Briefing Book on Chemical Weapons

A serious long-term threat might be implied by substances which are poorly bound to active carbon. In order to pass through the filter of a protective mask, the substance must consist of small, non-polar molecules, which have high volatility. This implies that it is difficult to attain lethal concentrations in the ambient air (compare, for example, hydrogen cyanide). On the other hand, they could achieve an incapacitating effect on a small scale, e.g., in order to achieve sabotage against units that were already protected.

If substances capable of penetrating modern protective masks can be dentified, then there are also opportunities to intensify research on improved protection. Thus, for example, new substances with which the filters in protective masks can be impregnated can be developed, as well as substances which better absorb or break down the new substances. If this is successful, then the threat is considerably reduced.

The borderline between BW and CW agents has started to lose importance as a result of the rapid development in biotechnology. This mainly depends on the emergence of a category of agents based on biotechnology. Biotechnology has enabled the large scale production of new types of substances. Toxic compounds of natural origin which were earlier difficult to produce, e.g., toxins and bioregulators, can now be produced in large quantities. Many of these substances exceed the toxicity of nerve agents by several orders of magnitude.

Biotechnology has also offered opportunities to produce bacteria, viruses, etc., in modified form. The gene material of microorganisms can be modified so that new bacteria or viruses are created, against which man has no immune defense. In addition, the bacteria can be changed so that they themselves can produce toxins while they multiply in the body. In comparison with pure toxin, only a very small dose of bacteria is then needed to achieve full effect.

There are large opportunities to further develop weapons based on biotechnology. After studies of structure-activity relationships for certain toxins and substances produced within the body, it is possible to develop modified and even more active substances. Improved knowledge of receptors on the cell surface, for example as a result of cancer research, ill make it possible to target toxic substances to selected organs.

Weapons based on biotechnology today are probably still within the research or developmental stages. In the long-term, they may become a serious threat. Factors supporting this are that such substances:

• are active in very low concentrations,
• can cause poisoning which is difficult to diagnose and treat,
• can be completely broken down within the body,
• usually lack antidotes for medical protection and treatment,
• are difficult to detect in the environment.

Factors suggesting that their use may not arise are:

• their range of use is limited, e.g., to sabotage,
• suitable substances are rapidly broken down by the enzyme system in the gastro-intestinal tract and lungs,
• exposure via the airways can probably easily be stopped by use of respiratory protective equipment (even if this method of exposure is effective also for large molecules).

Nuclear	Biological	Chemical
North Anna Power Station Surry Power Station UVA Nuclear Reactor Facility Decommissioned in 1998 FEMA Fact Sheet: Nuclear Power Plant Emergency	Introduction Medical Management History of Biological Warfare and Current Threat Medical Aspects of the Biological Threat Bacterial Agents   Anthrax    Brucellosis    Cholera    Glanders    Plague    Tularemia    Q Fever Viruses     Smallpox     Venezuelan Equine Encephalitis     Viral Hemorrhagic Fevers Biological Toxins   Botulinum    Staphylococcal Enterotoxin B    Ricin    T-2 Mycotoxins Personal Protection Decontamination Appendix A: Glossary of Medical Terms Appendix B: Patient and Precaution Levels Appendix C:  Comparative Lethality: Toxins/Chemicals Appendix D: Aerosol Toxicity: Toxins Appendix E: Differential Diagnosis: Toxins/Nerve Agent Appendix F: Specimens for Lab Diagnosis Appendix G: BW Agents: Lab Identification Appendix H: BW Agents: Characteristics Appendix I: BW Agents: Vaccines, Therapeutics and Prophylactics Appendix J: Medical Sample Collection for Biological Threat Agents	Introduction Nerve Agents Mustard Agents Hydrogen Cyanide Tear Gases Arsines Psychotomimetic Agents Toxins Potential CW Agents