What are G-series nerve agents?
The organophosphate nerve agents tabun (GA), sarin (GB), soman (GD), and cyclosarin (GF) are among the most toxic chemical warfare agents known. Together they comprise the G-series nerve agents, thus named because German scientists first synthesized them, beginning with GA in 1936.
What is the most toxic nerve agent?
VX is the most potent of all nerve agents. Compared with the nerve agent sarin (also known as GB), VX is considered to be much more toxic by entry through the skin and somewhat more toxic by inhalation. It is possible that any visible VX liquid contact on the skin, unless washed off immediately, would be lethal.
How much more toxic is VX agent than G agents?
The V-series weapons, including VX, are among the most highly toxic chemical warfare nerve agents (“V” stands for venomous). The V agents are approximately 10-fold more poisonous than sarin (GB)….Background.
| Code Name | Chemical Name |
|---|---|
| V-gas | Russian equivalent of VX |
What does a nerve agent do to your body?
What do they do to the body? Nerve agents disrupt normal messaging from the nerves to the muscles. This causes muscles to become paralysed and can lead to the loss of many bodily functions. Agents will act within seconds or minutes if inhaled and slightly more slowly if exposure is the result of skin contamination.
How much VX is lethal?
about 10 milligrams
The lethal dose for VX ranges from about 10 milligrams via skin contact to 25 to 30 milligrams if inhaled. Early symptoms can include pinprick pupils, runny nose, wheezing and muscle twitching. Death can occur anywhere from within a few minutes to hours, depending on the dose and the method of contact.
Is mustard gas the same as sarin gas?
Unlike chemical nerve agents such as organophosphates or sarin gas, which immediately incapacitate victims, mustard gas victims typically don’t exhibit symptoms of poisoning until 12 to 24 hours after exposure. However, higher concentrations of the gas can cause symptoms to develop within one to two hours.