Chemical agents
Chemical Agents
Chemical agents (pronunciation: /ˈkɛmɪkəl ˈeɪdʒənts/) are substances with chemical properties that are used to cause harm to humans or the environment. They can be in the form of a solid, liquid, or gas and are often used in warfare or terrorism.
Etymology
The term "chemical agent" is derived from the Latin word "chemia", meaning "alchemy", and the Latin word "agens", meaning "doing". It was first used in the 19th century to describe substances used in chemical reactions.
Types of Chemical Agents
There are several types of chemical agents, including:
- Nerve agents: These are the most toxic and rapidly acting of the known chemical warfare agents. They are similar to certain kinds of pesticides (insect killers) called organophosphates in terms of how they work and what kind of harmful effects they cause.
- Blister agents: Also known as vesicants, these cause severe skin, eye and mucosal pain and damage.
- Blood agents: These are poisons that affect the body by being absorbed into the blood.
- Choking agents: These cause physical injury to the respiratory tract.
- Incapacitating agents: These are drugs that make people unable to think clearly or that cause an altered state of consciousness (possibly unconsciousness).
Related Terms
- Chemical warfare: The use of chemical agents with the intent to kill, injure or incapacitate an enemy.
- Chemical weapon: A device that uses chemicals to cause death or harm.
- Chemical defense: Measures taken to protect oneself from chemical agents.
- Chemical decontamination: The process of removing or neutralizing chemical agents.
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Chemical agents
- Wikipedia's article - Chemical agents
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