Chemical Weapons.

Chemical weapons can be grouped as Nerve gases, Choking gases, Blood gases, Incapacitating gases and Blistering gases. There are many other gases that can be used as chemical weapons, but for simplicity, we will look only at the most common.

CODRUS respirator sets now include chemical weapons decontamination powder in each set. From the 15/5/03 these sets will also include new chemical weapons detection badges which are sensitive to the presence of a variety of poisonous gases including Nerve Gas.

To date, US & UK forces in Iraq have failed to locate chemical weapons in Iraq, although it is known that such weapons were abundant in 1991 (as confirmed by the UN). They have discovered a great deal of chemical weapon equipment (masks, suits, antidotes, training facilities, delivery rockets & drones, vehicles modified as bio-workshops and in May a mobile biological weapons factory), but the agents themselves appear to have all been moved. The obvious questions are : where have they been sent?, are they now in the hands of terrorists?

Common Chemical Weapons

Nerve Gases

Choking Gases

Blood Gases

Incapacitating Gases

Blistering Gases

Protection

Nerve Gases :

Including VX,  GB (Sarin), GA (Tabun) and GD (Soman). These weapons are considered the most potent (of which VX is the highest). They all damage the nervous system and interrupt the brain's ability to communicate with the rest of the body, creating violent spasms and paralysis. As little as 10 milligrams of VX on the skin can cause rapid death. Delivered in liquid form, the weapon evaporates easily at room temperature to contaminate the atmosphere. Like Anthrax (see Biological weapons), nerve gases are considered primarily a respiratory weapon but can attack the body through the skin, so a Hazmat suit will increase protection against the weapon. According to the UK Government, in 1991 Iraq had 210 tonnes of GA (Tabun), 795 tonnes of GB (Sarin) of Cyclosarin and 3.9 tonnes of VX. In 1999, UNSCOM reported that production material had gone "missing" from the Iraqi arsenal, including 360 tonnes of bulk chemical warfare agent including 1.5 tonnes of VX nerve agent and up to 3,000 tonnes of precursor chemicals, including approximately 300 tonnes which (in the Iraqi chemicals weapon program) were unique to the production of VX. In 1995, Sarin (GB) was released into the Tokyo subway system. This terrorist attack killed 11 and injured 5,500. US & UK forces have failed to find these agents in Iraq, which poses the question : where have they been sent ?, are they in the hands of terrorists?

In July 2003 the BBC ran an episode of their series "Spooks" on the subject of an exercise to deal with a VX Nerve gas attack on London and Edinburgh. In this simulation, terrorists explode a transit van containing drums of VX agent in the centre of London, and the program examined the subsequent actions of a team at MI5 in response to the incident. Although the program is intended as entertainment, it did raise some valid points about preparations to deal with these threats. In one scene the protective gear issued was found to be the wrong type, and as it offered no real protection against VX, it was decided to not wear the masks & suits at all. At one point, a shelter was described as being unusable, because "...they hadn't finished building it yet..".

Choking Gases :

Including Phosgene and Chlorine. Weapons which were used in the First World War and are respiratory weapons. According to the UK Government, the Iraqi production plant at al-Qa'qa' may have manufactured Phosgene, while Chlorine may have been manufactured in Iraq at Fallujah 2 near Habbaniyah.  US & UK forces so far have failed to find these agents in Iraq, which poses the obvious question : where have they been sent to ? are they now in the hands of terrorists?

Blood Gases :

Including Hydrogen Cyanide.  This weapon is respiratory and interferes with the blood's ability to transfer Oxygen around the body. In November 2002 it was revealed that a group of terrorists had been arrested in the UK. The Times and other news sources claimed that they had been involved in a plan to attack the London Underground by releasing this gas into an underground train. In the confined spaces of the underground, such an attack would have been catastrophic. The UK government have not confirmed the details of the averted attack, but have confirmed that the terrorists have been charged arising from their intent to commit a terrorist act and being in possession of "materials" to commit a terrorist act.

Incapacitating gases :

Including CS and CN. Respiratory weapons, not intended to be lethal, these weapons are intended (like tear gas and riot gas) to incapacitate. The US Forces used incapacitants in the Vietnam war. An incapacitant weapon was also used by the Russian Forces with disastrous results in the Moscow Theatre siege, which resulted in the deaths of scores of hostages.

Blistering Gases :

Including Mustard Gas, Distilled Mustard Gas and Lewisite. These respiratory weapons were used extensively during the First World War. The gas is delivered in liquid form and evaporates to create a powerful gas. It causes burns and blisters to exposed skin. When inhaled, Mustard damages the respiratory tract ; when ingested, it causes vomiting and diarrhoea. It attacks and damages the eyes, mucous membranes, lungs, skin, and blood forming organs. Lewisite was able to overcome the filters of early gasmasks. A Hazmat suit will increase the level of protection against burns and blisters to the skin. According to the UK Government, in 1991, Iraq had 2,850 tonnes of Mustard gas and in 1988, Iraq used Mustard gas and Nerve gas against Kurds at Halabja in Northern Iraq. Estimates vary, but according to Human Rights Watch up to 5,000 people were killed. Significant amounts of Mustard gas was used by Iraq in the Iran/Iraq war, causing extensive casualties. US & UK forces have failed to find these agents in Iraq, which poses the question : where have they been sent to ? are they in hands of terrorists?

PROTECTION :

The CODRUS Respirators provide an enhanced level of respiratory protection against chemical weapons, utilising the ABEK2P3 canister filter. The filter includes a P3 particulate filter which removes 99.97% of all airborne particulates. These excellent respirators are available for order by Free Phone order line or online using SSL secure server order system. Alternatively they can be ordered by Post, Fax or Phone. Click here to go to ordering.  The standard kits now come complete with decontamination powder and new chemical weapons detection badge (except special offers).

Visit our ordering page to see our current special offers. Delivery by Initial Citylink is £10. Call free on 0800 169 4773. You can buy with credit card, debit card, cheque or postal order and the goods will be despatched to you by courier in 5 working days. Each respirator is sold new, with ABEK2P3 filter canister, and an operating manual. Click here to go to ordering.

For further information about Chemical weapons, refer to  our FAQs page.