An overview is given of biological markers of exposure to chemical warfare agents. Metabolites, protein, and/or DNA adducts have been identified for most nerve agents and vesicants and validated in experimental animals or in a small number of human exposures. For several agents, metabolites derived from hydrolysis are unsatisfactory biomarkers of exposure because of background levels in the hum...

Organophosphates, used as chemical warfare nerve agents and pesticides are the most toxic chemicals known to date. Despite the number of studies done on the subject matter, intoxication caused by such agents is among the most complicated problems in medicine because of the induced increase in abnormal electrical activity in the brain and the subsequent brain damage. The anticonvulsant and neuro...

An enzyme purified from squid nerve that hydrolyzes the cholinesterase inhibitor diisopropyl phosphorofluoridate (DFP) has now been coupled to agarose beads. A column of this agarose-DFPase hydrolyzes the nerve gas 1,2,2-trimethylpropyl methylphosphonofluoridate (Soman). Although the more inhibitory of the four diastereoisomers of Soman are hydrolyzed least rapidly, a column of sufficient lengt...

Nerve agents belong to the most toxic organophosphates (OP) in the group of cholinesterase inhibitors. They can be used as chemical warfare agents and, they can be (and were) misused by terrorists, as happened in Matsumoto city (1994) and Tokyo subway (1995). Sarin was used in these cases. Medical protection against their effect (i.e. antidotal treatment) is of prime importance (Bajgar 2004, 20...

The ability to directly characterize chemical transport and interactions that occur within a material (i.e., subsurface dynamics) is a vital component in understanding contaminant mass transport and the ability to decontaminate materials. If a material is contaminated, over time, the transport of highly toxic chemicals (such as chemical warfare agent species) out of the material can result in v...

INTRODUCTION THE CHEMICAL THREAT AND ENEMY CAPABILITY THE STATUS OF CHEMICAL PROLIFERATION Chemical Warfare Capabilities of Nations International Agreements and Verification Terrorism MILITARY CHEMICAL AGENTS TACTICAL AND STRATEGIC USE OF CHEMICAL WEAPONS Chemical Agent Delivery Systems Physical Properties of Chemical Agents Strategic Concerns in the Use of Toxins Choice of Agent and Delivery S...

A new chromogenic protocol has been developed for rapid and selective detection of nerve agents like tabun. The chemsensor displayed a drastic color change from its colorless solution to yellow instantaneously with an 89 nm bathochromic shift. No inference of other chemical warfare agents and its mimics was observed either with the naked-eye or by UV-Vis spectroscopy. The development of a porta...

Highly toxic chemical warfare agents(CWA) could be used in and terrorism. The protection of skin is crucial for civilians soldiers, because the primary routes exposure to CWA are inhalation absorption. Thus, topical protectants(TSP) have been studied developed many countries complement protective equipments. In this study, <i>in-vitro</i> test procedure was optimized established usi...