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Originating in the armed forces of the early 20th century, weapons based on chemical, biological or nuclear agents have become an everpresent threat that has not vanished after the end of the cold war. Since the technology to produce these agents is nowadays available to many countries and organizations, including those with terrorist aims, civil authorities across the world need to prepare against incidents involving these agents and train their personnel accordingly. As an introductory text on NBC CBRN weapons and agents, this book leads the reader from the scientific basics to the current threats and strategies to prepare against them. After an introductory part on the history of NBC CBRN weapons and their international control, the three classes of nuclear/radiological, biological, and chemical weapons are introduced, focusing on agents and delivery vehicles. Current methods for the rapid detection of NBC CBRN agents are introduced, and the principles of physical protection of humans and structures are explained. The final parts addresses more general issues of risk management, preparedness and response management, as the set of tools that authorities and civil services will be needed in a future CBRN scenario as well as the likely future scenarios that authorities and civil services will be faced with in the coming years. This book is a must-have for Health Officers, Public Health Agencies, and Military Authorities.

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Table of Contents

Related Titles

Title Page

Copyright

Foreword

Preface

About the Editors

List of Contributors

Part I: History and Treaties in CBRN - Warfare and Terrorism

Chapter 1: A Glance Back – Myths and Facts about CBRN Incidents

1.1 Introduction

1.2 History of Chemical Warfare

1.3 Introduction to Biological Warfare

1.4 Introduction to Radiological and Nuclear Warfare

References

Chapter 2: International Treaties – Only a Matter for Diplomats?

2.1 Introduction to the Minefield of Negotiations

2.2 Why It Is so Difficult to Implement International Regulations?

2.3 Historic Development of Treaties – the Link to the Incidents

2.4 Today's System of Treaties – a Global Network

2.5 Nuclear Weapons

2.6 Organizations

2.7 Conclusions and Where Does the Road Lead?

References

Part II: CBRN Characteristics – Is There Something Inimitable?

Chapter 3: Chemical Agents – Small Molecules with Deadly Properties

3.1 Are Special Properties Required for Chemical Warfare Agents?

3.2 How can we Classify Chemical Warfare Agents?

3.3 Properties of Chemical Warfare Agents

3.4 Choking and Irritant Agents

3.5 Incapacitating Agents

3.6 Dissemination Systems of Chemical Warfare Agents

3.7 Conclusions and Outlook

References

Chapter 4: Characteristics of Biological Warfare Agents – Diversity of Biology

4.1 What Is Special?

4.2 Types of Biological Agents

4.3 Risk Classification of Biological and Biological Warfare Agents

4.4 Routes of Entry

4.5 Origin, Spreading, and Availability

4.6 The Biological Event – Borderline to Pandemics, Endemics, and Epidemics

4.7 The Bane of Biotechnology – Genetically Engineered Pathogens

4.8 Conclusions and Outlook

References

Chapter 5: Characteristics of Nuclear and Radiological Weapons

5.1 Introduction to Nuclear Explosions

5.2 Direct Effects

5.3 Indirect Effects

5.4 Radiological Weapons

References

Part III: CBRN Sensors – Key Technology for an Effective CBRN Countermeasure Strategy

Chapter 6: Why Are Reliable CBRN Detector Technologies Needed?

6.1 Introduction

6.2 A Concept to Track CBRN Substances

6.3 Low-Level Exposure and Operational Risk Management

6.4 Conclusions and Outlook

References

Chapter 7: Analysis of Chemical Warfare Agents – Searching for Molecules

7.1 Analytical Chemistry – the Scientific Basis for Searching Molecules

7.2 Standards for Chemical Warfare Agent Sensor Systems and Criteria for Deployment

7.3 False Alarm Rate and Limit of Sensitivity

7.4 Technologies for Chemical Warfare Agent Sensor Systems

7.5 Testing of Chemical Warfare Agent Detectors

7.6 Conclusions and Future Developments

References

Chapter 8: Detection and Analysis of Biological Agents

8.1 What Makes the Difference?

8.2 The Ideal Detection and Identification Platform

8.3 Bioaerosols: Particulate and Biological Background

8.4 Aerosol Detection – A Tool for Threat Monitoring

8.5 Sampling of Biological Agents

8.6 Identification of Biological Warfare Agents

8.7 Developing and Upcoming Technologies

8.8 Conclusions

References

Chapter 9: Measurement of Ionizing Radiation

9.1 Why Is Detection of Ionizing Radiation So Important?

9.2 Physical Quantities used to Describe Radioactivity and Ionizing Radiation

9.3 Different Measuring Tasks Concerning Ionizing Radiation

9.4 Basics of Radiation Detectors

9.5 Gamma Dose Rate and Detection of Gamma Radiation

9.6 Conclusions and Outlook

References

Part IV: Technologies for Physical Protection

Chapter 10: Filter Technology – Clean Air is Required

10.1 Filters – Needed Technology Equipment for Collective and Individual Protection

10.2 General Considerations

10.3 What are the Principles for Filtration and Air-Cleaning?

10.4 Test Methods

10.5 Selection Process for CBRN Filters

10.6 Conclusions and Outlook

References

Chapter 11: Individual Protective Equipment – Do You Know What to Wear?

11.1 Basics of Individual Protection

11.2 Which Challenges for Individual Protection Equipment (IPE) Can Be Identified?

11.3 The Way to Design Individual Protective Equipment

11.4 Function

11.5 Ergonomics – a Key Element for Individual Protection Equipment

11.6 Donning and Doffing – Training Is Required

11.7 Overview of IPE Items – They Have to Act in Concert

11.8 Quality Assurance

11.9 Workplace Safety

11.10 Future Prospects

References

Chapter 12: Collective Protection – A Secure Area in a Toxic Environment

12.1 Why Is Collective Protection of Interest?

12.2 Collective Protection Systems – Required for Different Scenarios

12.3 Basic Design

12.4 Conclusions and Outlook

References

Part V: Cleanup after a CBRN Event

Chapter 13: Decontamination of Chemical Warfare Agents – What is Thorough?

13.1 What Is Decontamination?

13.2 Dispersal and Fate of Chemical Warfare Agents

13.3 Decontamination Media for Chemical Warfare Agents

13.4 Selected Chemical Warfare Agents and Decont Reaction Schemes

13.5 Soman (GD)

13.6 VX

13.7 Catalysis in Decontamination

13.8 Decont Procedures

13.9 Conclusions and Outlook

References

Chapter 14: Principles and Practice of Disinfection of Biological Warfare Agents – How Clean is Clean Enough?

14.1 General Principles of Disinfection and Decontamination

14.2 Mechanisms of Action of Biocides against Microorganisms

14.3 Levels of Disinfection

14.4 Biological Target Sites of Selected Biocides

14.5 The Spores Problem

14.6 Inactivation as Kinetic Process

14.7 Evaluation of Antimicrobial Efficiency

14.8 Carrier Tests versus Suspension Tests

14.9 Resistance to Biocide Inactivation – a Growing Concern

14.10 New and Emerging Technologies for Disinfection

14.11 “Is Clean Clean Enough” or “How Clean Is Clean Enough”?

References

Chapter 15: Radiological/Nuclear Decontamination – Reduce the Risk

15.1 Why Is Radiological/Nuclear Decontamination So Special?

15.2 Contamination

15.3 Decontamination

15.4 Conclusions and Outlook

References

Part VI: CBRN Risk Management – Are We Prepared to Respond?

Chapter 16: Preparedness

16.1 Introduction to Risk Management

16.2 Key Elements Influencing a Counter-CBRN Strategy

16.3 A Special Strategy for CBRN

16.4 Proliferation Prevention

16.5 Active Countermeasures

16.6 If Things Get Real: Responding to a CBRN Event

16.7 Research

16.8 Aftermath Action – Lessons Learned

16.9 Conclusions and Outlook

References

Index

Related Titles

Voeller, J. G. (ed.)

Wiley Handbook of Science and Technology for Homeland Security

4 Volume Set

2010

ISBN: 978-0-471-76130-3

Burchfield, L. A.

Radiation Safety

Protection and Management for Homeland Security and Emergency Response

2009

ISBN: 978-0-471-79333-5

Richardt, A., Blum, M.-M. (eds.)

Decontamination of Warfare Agents

Enzymatic Methods for the Removal of B/C Weapons

2008

ISBN: 978-3-527-31756-1

Barriot, P., Bismuth, C. (eds.)

Treating Victims of Weapons of Mass Destruction

Medical, Legal and Strategic Aspects

2007

ISBN: 978-0-470-06646-1

Bennett, B. T.

Understanding, Assessing, and Responding to Terrorism

Protecting Critical Infrastructure and Personnel

2007

ISBN: 978-0-471-77152-4

Marrs, T. C., Maynard, R. L., Sidell, F. (eds.)

Chemical Warfare Agents: Toxicology and Treatment

2007

ISBN: 978-0-470-01359-5

Molino, L. N.

Emergency Incident Management Systems

Fundamentals and Applications

2006

ISBN: 978-0-471-45564-6

Khardori, N. (ed.)

Bioterrorism Preparedness

Medicine - Public Health - Policy

2006

ISBN: 978-3-527-31235-1

Langford, R. E.

Introduction to Weapons of Mass Destruction

Radiological, Chemical, and Biological

2004

ISBN: 978-0-471-46560-7

The Editor

Dr. Andre Richardt

Bundeswehr Institute for

Protection Technologies WIS430

Humboldtstr. 100

29633 Munster

Germany

Dr. Birgit Hülseweh

Bundeswehr Institute for

Protection Technologies WIS430

Humboldtstr. 100

29633 Munster

Germany

Prof. Dr.-Ing. Bernd Niemeyer

Universität der Bundeswehr

Process Engineering

Holstenhofweg 85

22043 Hamburg

Germany

Dr.-Ing. Frank Sabath

Bundeswehr Institute for

Protection Technologies WIS430

Humboldtstr. 100

29633 Munster

Germany

All books published by Wiley-VCH are carefully produced. Nevertheless, authors, editors, and publisher do not warrant the information contained in these books, including this book, to be free of errors. Readers are advised to keep in mind that statements, data, illustrations, procedural details or other items may inadvertently be inaccurate.

Library of Congress Card No.: applied for

British Library Cataloguing-in-Publication Data

A catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library.

Bibliographic information published by the Deutsche Nationalbibliothek

The Deutsche Nationalbibliothek lists this publication in the Deutsche Nationalbibliografie; detailed bibliographic data are available on the Internet at <http://dnb.d-nb.de>.

© 2013 Wiley-VCH Verlag & Co. KGaA, Boschstr. 12, 69469 Weinheim, Germany

All rights reserved (including those of translation into other languages). No part of this book may be reproduced in any form — by photoprinting, microfilm, or any other means — nor transmitted or translated into a machine language without written permission from the publishers. Registered names, trademarks, etc. used in this book, even when not specifically marked as such, are not to be considered unprotected by law.

Print ISBN: 978-3-527-32413-2

ePDF ISBN: 978-3-527-65019-4

ePub ISBN: 978-3-527-65018-7

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oBook ISBN: 978-3-527-65016-3

Foreword

Accidental or deliberate CBRN1, and events are widely considered as low probability events that might however have a big impact on the citizens and the society. Whenever and wherever they happen, they usually deserve a gradual (regional, national, international) and multi-facetted approach as they tend to provoke severe and unexpected physical, psychological, societal, economical and political effects that might also easily cross the borders.

In that context detection, protection and decontamination against potentially very harmful CBRN agents is of particular importance. It is needed for military staff but also for civilians including a large range of users like firemen, health services, police, civil protection operators who might be involved in such events, whether they are due to terrorism attacks, accidents or natural disasters. What happened in 2011 in Japan around Fukushima is a dramatic example with short-, mid- and probably long term harmful effects.

Many countries have already invested in the CBRN area. At the EU level, as regards CBRN, significant political and technical efforts have been also carried out in recent years: as for example on the development and implementation of the EU CBRN Action Plan (including the concept of Lead States to carry specific priority actions), or the development of CBRN Resilience modules under the EU Civil Protection Mechanism, or the set up of CBRN Centers of Excellence in several sensitive regions in the world.

On the research side, last but not least, considerable investments on CBRN detection, protection and decontamination are carried out under the umbrella of FP7 Security research cooperation theme. They are contributing to provide, to test and to validate complimentary new solutions, tools, equipments, protocols, systems, as well as for example draft standards for CBRN quantified reference materials, reference sampling and analytical method2. The EU is indeed currently supporting financially tens of Security Research projects under the FP73 which relate to CBRN. This represents, as of 2012, a global budget of 120 million euro. In the next 2 years, 10 to 15 new CBRN activities are expected to start, including the start of a very large scale and unique demonstration programme in 2013, involving representative CBRN authorities and end users from EU Member States, as well as Industry and Research representative Organisations.

As regards CBRN CIV-MIL interactions at the EU research level, the recent European Framework Cooperation (EFC) initiative agreed by the EC, EDA and ESA, provides a platform for exchange of informations, ideas, priorities, experts and, to some extent, research results in the area of CBRN, looking for concrete synergies between the different frameworks.

In this evolving and constructive EU context, the release of this textbook on NBC-Protection is a very good opportunity for the CBRN community to reflect on achievements and look forward to the near future.

Tristan Simonart

Notes

1Chemical, Biological Radiological and Nuclear

2E.g. EQUATOX and SLAM projects

37th Framework Programme for Research and Innovation

Preface

Following the public discussion during recent years, it became evident to me that the public fear towards CBRN agents is often based on insufficient scientific information and sometimes leads to unrealistic assumptions. Through numerous discussions with other scientific colleagues my feeling grew that many excellent scientific books and publications dealing with single and isolated CBRN questions are available but get stucked into details without knowing or providing the fundamental principles. The speed of the information about new detection technologies, breakthroughs in nanotechnology and life science tend to result in an overflow of scientific information and the time is missing to sort in the right context to make the right decisions. However, especially for CBRN-questions it is obvious that only to guess is quick – but can de deadly!

Currently, on international level we observe an increasing demand for provision of an all-hazard approach focusing on the prevention, detection, identification, response and preparedness to CBRN threats. New comprehensive concepts to counter a CBRN threat are needed and the changed scenarios call for a unified strategy that covers militarian as well as civilian aspects of defence. In Europe several programs deal with this question and it is obvious that only a close cooperation between scientists and engineers of various affected disciplines will be able to deal with this ambitious stipulation.

The initial intention of the editorial group of this introductive textbook was, to bring together all fundamental technical aspects of CBRN protection based on the knowledge of CBRN-history and existing CBRN treaties. These aspects include physical protection as well as detection and decontamination. Moreover, concepts of preparedness and response should be discussed.

Consequently, in this book we come up with a compromise between clarity, comprehensibility and scientificness. The advanced CBRN reader might miss particular aspects. However, all authors try to provide a scientific and technical understanding that enables the reader to take part in CBRN debates and discussions.

Looking back, it is amazing how many turnarounds happened during the constitution of this book. At the beginning a diverse perspective of CBRN issues enhances our understanding and helps us to figure out the best solution. Then the writing itself – everybody, who ever sat in front of an empty page knows how difficult it is write down something significant.

And last – but not least; sometimes, when we thought, that the project was on the cusp to die a silent death, we got assistance from unanticipated supporters, and we are all very grateful for this support and advice. Also, we would like to thank our friends, colleagues, co-authors as well as the editorial staff at Wiley-VCH for their support, ideas and remarks. Special thanks go to our families for their patience during the endeavour of this book.

Andre Richardt

About the Editors

Andre Richardt has obtained his academic degrees from University Cologne in 1991 (Dipl. Degree in Genetics), Albert-Ludwigs-University, Freiburg (Dr. rer. nat Degree in Microbiology) in 1997 and Helmut-Schmidt-University, Hamburg (Dr. habil Degree in Biotechnology) in 2006. Currently, he is head of Biological and Chemical Decontamination business area at the Bundeswehr Research Institute for Protective Technologies and NBC Protection in Munster, Germany. Most of his career he has been working for the German Armed Forces in the field of CBRN-protection. From 2004 to 2005 he worked at dstl, PortonDown, Great Britain. In the special field catalytic decontamination of biological and chemical warfare agents he has been working for over ten years in national and international working-groups. His current research interests include investigations of non-thermal inactivation of biological and chemical agents as well as the control of the efficiency of a decontamination process. Currently, he is also a lecturer at the Helmut-Schmidt-University, Hamburg and he tutors young officers in the field of CBRN-protection. He is a member in several working groups dealing with fundamental technical and scientific aspects of CBRN protection.

Dr. Birgit Hülseweh studied Biology at the Heinrich-Heine-University of Düsseldorf, Germany with a focus on Microbiology, Molecularbiology and Organic Chemistry. There she received her Diploma in 1990 and did her doctoral thesis (PhD) at the Institute of Microbiology.

From 1994 to 1998 she was as a post-doc at the Max-Planck Institute for Molecular Physiology in Dortmund, Germany and for another 4 year period she worked as a scientific assistant at the University of Essen-Duisburg, Germany. From 2001 to 2002 she was the head of the scientific laboratory of Alpha Technology GmbH in Cologne, Germany, a biotech company, which dealt with the spotting, production and electrical read-out of microarrays for microbial diagnostics. In 2003 she joined as a senior scientist the department of Virology at the Bundeswehr Research Institute for Protective Technologies and NBC Protection in Munster, Germany. Her research focuses on innovative technologies for the identification of microorganisms and her scientific interests include all aspects of real-time-PCR methods, array applications as well as innovative applications of nanotechnology. Dr. Hülseweh has extensive experience in Molecular and Cellular Biology as well as in Immunology and Biochemistry. She is the author of diverse peer reviewed scientific publications and tutors several PhD-students. She has been working as scientific advisor in national and international working-groups and takes care for several international scientific co-operations.

Bernd Niemeyer studied Chemical Engineering and obtained his German Diploma degree (Dipl.-Ing.) at the University Erlangen-Nuremberg, Germany in 1986. His following PhD work focused in the field of bio engineering at the same University. He obtained his PhD-degree in 1990. As Post-doc he visited the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research (DSIR) in Lower Hutt (New Zealand) for one year and researched into separation technologies for health and chemical engineering topics. After his comeback he worked for the Deutsche Aerospace AG (later named DaimlerChrysler Aerospace AG) and the company Thermoselect Suedwest GmbH. He designed, constructed and commissioned new waste treatment plants for ammunition disposal (newly invented process) as well as for municipal waste processing.

Since 1996 he leads the Chair of “Process Engineering with focus on Separation Technology” at the Helmut-Schmidt-University / University of the Federal Armed Forces Hamburg in combination with the Research Group “Molecular Recognition and Separation” at the Helmholtz-ZentrumGeesthacht, Centre for Material Science and Coastal Research.

His research interests are applicable for CBRN-safety (analyses and decontamination of biological warfare agents as well as protection, detection and decontamination of chemical warfare agents), environmental engineering (waste as well as off-gas treatment, like odorous removal), biotechnology (enzyme catalysis and separation of valuables) as well as chemical processing (process design and separation of substances from reaction mixtures). The main methods applied are mainly adsorptive separation technologies, oxidative processes, and development of analytical and sensor systems.

Frank Sabath received the Dipl.-Ing. Degree in electrical engineering from the University of Paderborn, Paderborn, Germany, in 1993, and the Dr.-Ing. degree from the Leibniz University of Hannover, Hannover, Germany, in 1998.

From 1993 to 1998, he was with the C-Lab, a Joint Research and Development Institute of the University of Paderborn and the Siemens Nixdorf Informationssysteme AG, Paderborn, Germany, where his responsibilities included research activities on numerical field calculation and the radiation analysis of printed circuit boards. Since 1998, he has been with the Federal Office of Defense Technology and Procurement (BWB). Currently, he is head of the division on Balanced Nuclear Protection Measures and Nuclear Hardening, Electro-Magnetic Effects, Fire Protection of the Bundeswehr Research Institute for Protective Technologies and NBC-Protection (WIS), Munster, Germany. He is the author or coauthor of more than 110 papers published in international journals and conference proceedings. His research interests include investigations of electromagnetic field theory, High-Power Electromagnetics, investigations of short pulse interaction on electronics, and impulse radiation.

Dr. Sabath served as Ultra Wide Band (UWB) co-chairman of the EUROEM 2004, Magdeburg, Germany as well of the EUROEM 2008, Lausanne, Switzerland. He has been the Editor-in-chief for several Ultra-Wideband, Short-Pulse electromagnetics books. Currently he is an Associate Editor of the IEEE Transactions on EMC, member of the board of directors of the IEEE EMC Society and chair of the IEEE Germany Section EMC Society Chapter. Due to his outstanding service the EMC Society presented him the Laurence G. Cumming Award in 2009 and the Honored Member Award in 2012. He is a Member of the IEEE Electromagnetic Compatibility (EMC), Antennas and Propagation (AP), Microwaves Theory and Techniques (MTT) societies, and a member of URSI Commission E.

List of Contributors

Hans-Jürgen Altmann
Bundeswehr Research Institute for Protective Technologies and NBC Protection (WIS)
Humboldtstr. 100
29633 Munster
Germany
Marc-Michael Blum
Blum-Wissenschaftliche Dienste
Cäcilienstraße 3
22301 Hamburg
Germany
Thomas Dawert
Bundeswehr Research Institute for Protective Technologies and NBC Protection (WIS)
Humboldtstr. 100
29633 Munster
Germany
Karola Hagner
Bundeswehr Research Institute for Protection Technologies –
Humboldtstraße 100
29633 Munster
Germany
Friedrich Hesse
Bundeswehr Research Institute for Protection Technologies –
Humboldtstraße 100
29633 Munster
Germany
Birgit Hülseweh
Bundeswehr Research Institute for Protective Technologies and NBC Protection (WIS)
Humboldtstr. 100
29633 Munster
Germany
Martin Jung
Bundeswehr Research Institute for Protective Technologies and NBC Protection (WIS)
Humboldtstr. 100
29633 Munster
Germany
Kai Kehe
Bundeswehr Medical Office
Dachauer Str. 128
80637 München
Germany
Hans-Jürgen Marschall
Bundeswehr Research Institute for Protective Technologies and NBC Protection (WIS)
Humboldtstr. 100
29633 Munster
Germany
Bernd Niemeyer
Helmut-Schmidt-University/
University of the Bundeswehr Hamburg
Holstenhofweg 85
22043 Hamburg
Germany
Silke Oelze
Bundeswehr Research Institute for Protective Technologies and NBC Protection (WIS)
Humboldtstr. 100
29633 Munster
Germany
Ronald Rambousky
Bundeswehr Research Institute for Protective Technologies and NBC Protection (WIS)
Humboldtstraße 100
29633 Munster
Germany
Andre Richardt
Bundeswehr Research Institute for Protective Technologies and NBC Protection (WIS)
Humboldtstr. 100
29633 Munster
Germany
Frank Sabath
Bundeswehr Research Institute for Protective Technologies and NBC Protection (WIS)
Humboldtstr. 100
29633 Munster
Germany
Martin Schaarschmidt
Bundeswehr Research Institute for Protective Technologies and NBC Protection
Humboldtstrasse
29633 Munster
Germany
Nikolaus Schneider
Bundeswehr Research Institute for Protection Technologies and NBC Protection (WIS)
Humboldtstraße. 100
29633 Munster
Germany

Part I

History and Treaties in CBRN - Warfare and Terrorism

Chapter 1

A Glance Back – Myths and Facts about CBRN Incidents

Andre Richardt and Frank Sabath

In our human history we can find numerous examples of the application of chemical and biological agents used or proposed as weapons during the course of a campaign or battle. In the twentieth century we saw the rise of a new age in battle field tactics and the abuse of detailed scientific knowledge for the employment of chemicals as warfare agents (CWAs). Another step that crossed a border was the use of nuclear bombs against Nagasaki and Hiroshima in 1945. Although there have been many attempts to ban chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear warfare agents (CBRN agents), their devastating potential makes them still attractive for regular armies as well as for terrorists. Therefore, it is likely that the emergence of CBRN terrorism is going to be a significant threat in the twenty-first century. However, we need to understand our history if we want to find appropriate answers for current and future threats. For this reason, in this chapter we provide a short history of CBRN, from the beginning of the use of CBRN agents up to the emergence of CBRN terrorism and the attempt to ban the use of this threat by negotiation and treaties.

1.1 Introduction

Why do we fear the use of chemical, biological, and nuclear weapons? What are the reasons behind the obvious? To answer these questions we have to understand that data and facts are only one part of the story. To understand and to be able to lift the veil of myths about CBRN incidents we need a lot more. Therefore, the history section of this part attempts to lay the basis for a deeper understanding of subsequent chapters.

1.2 History of Chemical Warfare

We can find many examples (Figure 1.1) of how the toxic principle of chemical substances has been used to ambush the enemy, even if the exact mechanism was unknown.

Chemical Warfare Weapon (CWA) “… The term chemical weapon is applied to any toxic chemical or its precursor that can cause death, injury, temporary incapacitation, or sensory irritation through its chemical action …” (http://www.opcw.org/about-chemical-weapons/what-is-a-chemical-weapon/, accessed 26 January 2011)Chemical Warfare (CW) Agent “… The toxic component of a chemical weapon is called its “chemical agent.” Based on their mode of action (i.e., the route of penetration and their effect on the human body), chemical agents are commonly divided into several categories: choking, blister, blood, nerve, and riot control agents.” (http://www.opcw.org/about-chemical-weapons/types-of-chemical-agent/, accessed 26 January 2011).

Figure 1.1 Time line of some significant examples of the application of toxic substances as chemical agents.

The deployment of toxic smokes and poisoned fire for advantage in skirmishes and on the battlefield was well known by our ancestors [1, 2]. In addition, we can date some significant changes, where the next level was reached in the discovery and use of toxic chemicals (see Figure 1.4 below).

1.2.1 Chemical Warfare Agents in Ancient Times

We can date the employment of chemicals as chemical warfare agents (CWAs) from at least 1000 BC when the Chinese used arsenical smokes [1]. By the application of noxious smoke and flame the allies of Sparta took an Athenian-held fort in the Peloponnesian War between 420 and 430 BC. Stink bombs of poisonous smoke and shrapnel were designed by the Chinese, along with a chemical mortar that fired cast-iron stink shells. Other conflicts during succeeding centuries saw the use of smoke and flame. However, it is difficult to confirm historical reports about incidents with chemicals by historical facts. One example of the confirmed use of toxic smoke is the siege of the city Dura-Europos by the army from the Sasanian Persian Empire around AD 256, where poisoned smoke was introduced to break the line of Roman defenders [3]. The full range of ancient siege techniques to break into the city, including mining operations to breach the walls, has been discovered by historians [3]. Roman defenders responded with “counter-mines” to thwart the attackers. In one of these narrow, low galleries a pile of bodies, representing about 20 Roman soldiers still with their arms, was found (). Findings from the Roman tunnel revealed that the Persians used bitumen and sulfur crystals to start it burning. This confirmed application of poison gas in an ancient siege is an example of the inventiveness of our ancestors.

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