Chemical Weapons

Chemical weapons have been used in warfare for almost 100 years. Chlorine gas was first used in 1915 by German forces against their enemies in Belgium . Its effects cause burning in the lungs. Soon after the chlorine gas was used, phosgene gas and mustard gas were used by the British and French troops.

In 1917, mustard gas was first used by the German forces. The effect of mustard gas, which is actually a liquid rather than a gas substance, causes the skin, eyes and lungs to burn and be destroyed.

The use of chemical weapons dates back as far as ancient times, beginning in the fourth and six centuries B.C. Wells and rivers were polluted, smoke, ash and sulfur-based gasses were released into the air and toxic smoke, known as "Greek Fire," was used against the Turks in the fourteenth century.

The history of chemical weapons continues through the Renaissance Age, and to the 18th century until modern times. Mustard gas was used in wars in 1925, 1935, 1963 and 1968 in Yemen and during the Iran / Iraq War in the 1980s. Most recently, in 1995, sarin nerve gas was used by the Japanese cult Aum Shinrikyo in a Tokyo subway attack. This incident resulted in the deaths of 8 people. Another incident occurred in 1969. A mustard gas leak in Belgium caused fishermen and children to be burned and killed fish and seals in and along the coastline where the incident occurred.

Sulfur mustard is often called mustard gas. However, if it is released at ordinary temperatures, it is not likely to immediately change into a gaseous form. The liquid form of sulfur mustard is odorless and colorless. When mixed with other chemicals, it appears to be brown in color and will smell like garlic.

Like biological weapons, which have a tendency to drift back towards the direction of the army that released the gas, the same effect happens when chemical weapons are released. This effect caused the Geneva Protocol of 1925, banning chemical weapons in warfare.

Terry Devitt-editor. "Chemical Reaction." The Why Files. Copyright 2001. University of Wisconsin, Board of Regents. September 19, 2006.
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International Safeguards and CWC Implementation Division. "Short History of Chemical Weapons." May 16, 2001. Institut de Protection et de Surete Nucleaire.

Copyright 2001. IPSN/ SACI. September 19, 2006.
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ATSDR. "ToxFAQs for Sulfur Mustard." Division of Toxicology. September 2003. Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry. September 19, 2006.
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