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You are here: Home / Information / Your Guide to Nerve Gas

Your Guide to Nerve Gas

March 13, 2018 By Mike Sedgwick 5 Comments

Here is what you need to know about nerve gas in relation to the events in Salisbury. Nerve gases are a terrible and frightening weapon but, if you survive an attack, you will be OK, unlike after a conventional injury which may leave you without a limb or full of shrapnel.

For much of my professional life, I have flirted with nerve gases. A dangerous thing to do you might think but interesting and important as recent events in Salisbury have shown.

It all began when an alarming report reached MI6 during the Cold War in 1980 that one-third of all Soviet Russia’s bombs, shells and missiles contained nerve gas or similar chemicals. We had to prepare ourselves to deal with it if necessary. I assisted with some of the work at that time and recently dealt with many OP poisonings in Sri Lanka.

Nerve Gases

Nerve gases were first produced in secret by Nazi Germany starting in 1935. We had no clue about this and were totally unprepared during World War II but, luckily for us, they were not used. Two of the nerve gases, Tabun and Sarin, also known by initials GA and GB were produced by the hundreds of tons in a factory in Silesia. The factory was subsequently captured intact by the Soviets and moved into Russia. The West began intensive research into counter-measures.

Shells may contain nerve gas.

Nerve gases are part of a large group of chemical compounds called organophosphates (OP). Some of these are useful in medicine, many as insecticides, as fire retardants, plasticisers, lubricants and in paint manufacture. Others are useful intermediates in the manufacture of a variety of chemicals including margarine.

Nerve gases are not gases, but volatile liquids absorbed through the skin, the eyes, and by mouth. As they evaporate, the vapour enters the lungs.

Counter Measures

Once you know that, you know the main counter-measures. Move cross-wind to avoid the vapour plume holding your breath if you can and then get into a shower, lake or river quickly and fully clothed; then take off your clothes. Water breaks down nerve gases as well as diluting them and, if you can add a little bleach, Sodium Hypochlorite, so much the better. It’s not difficult. Why weren’t the good citizens of Salisbury told to do that straight away?

Control

Nerve gases are controlled by the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC 1997) enforced by the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons based in The Hague. One hundred and ninety-two states have signed and accepted (ratified) the treaty. Exceptions include Israel (signed but not ratified), Egypt, North Korea, South Sudan and Palestine. Syria signed recently but it seems stockpiles are still available and are being used. Iraq has signed but some stocks are now in the hands of ISIS.

Among the countries who admit to having the facilities to make nerve gas are UK, USA, Russia, Iran, Iraq, Bosnia, Syria, and Serbia and one presumes, North Korea.

As soon as there is a law, people look for a way around it. One way is that CWC did not cover the common chemicals, Chlorine nor white Phosphorus. Another way, and one being actively pursued by Russia even as it signed the CWC treaty, it to make a binary weapon.

Protective suits.

Binary Weapons

Binary weapons involve making two compounds, G and B, neither of which are illegal. Combine them together and they produce GB or Sarin. Variations on this theme make nerve gases easier to handle, safer and to have a longer shelf life.

On the battlefield, there are nerve gas detectors. Some detect plumes of gas but cannot tell what the gas is. Others will detect OPs but not whether it is a nerve gas or an insecticide. They work on volatile liquids and gases. Novichok, used in Salisbury, is a powder.

Novichok, the new kid on the block.

Novichok, the new Russian nerve agent is not a gas, it was designed to circumvent the CWC treaty by being solid. There are 100 or so variants of it. It was designed to be undetectable by NATO nerve gas detectors, to penetrate protective clothing by being persistent and to be safer for the operatives to handle. The Russians lied about their nerve agents, but we were tipped off about their lies by Vil Mirsayanov who was arrested for treason but eventually released and ended up in the USA. He had wisely only disclosed the lies, not the nature of the agent nor where it was produced.

Salisbury, the attack failed. Photo Andrew Matthews, Guardian 13/3/18

Russian Failure

The Novichok attack in Salisbury was a failure. The intended target, Sergei Skripal is still alive, and he and his daughter should survive. Most deaths from OP poisoning occur within 7 days. We have managed to discover what the agent is chemically and a smart doctor in Salisbury recognised the symptoms of OP poisoning and gave the appropriate treatment promptly.

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Tags: current affairs, news, Salisbury, science

About Mike Sedgwick

Retired, almost. Lived in Chandler's Ford for 20 years. Like sitting in the garden with a beer on sunny days. Also reading, writing and flying a glider. Interested in promoting science.

I work hard as a Grandfather and have a part time job in Kandy, Sri Lanka for the winter months. Married to a beautiful woman and between us we have two beautiful daughters and 3 handsome sons.

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Rick Goater says

    March 13, 2018 at 4:38 pm

    Really interesting Mike. Many thanks.

    Reply
  2. Janet Williams says

    March 13, 2018 at 6:49 pm

    Back in 2013 (when I started this site), I would never have dreamt of someone writing about nerve gas, a Russian spy, and Salisbury all in one Chandler’s Ford Today post.

    This article is incredible (but I’m not sure I understand the science bit, which is quit a large chuck! 🙂 )

    Thank you very much for this great article.

    Reply
  3. Roger Clark says

    March 13, 2018 at 8:01 pm

    Mike that was so interesting. I guess that long term damage depends on the amount of exposure to the substance. I wonder how long it will take for the victims to recover.

    Doesn’t appear to be the perfect crime by any stretch of the imagination. Motive, trace-ability, licence to assasinate abroad.

    Janet – your Chandlers Ford Today is just getting better and better for our Community so well done!

    Reply
    • Janet Williams says

      March 13, 2018 at 9:44 pm

      I provide the platform but credit goes to those who write, comment, read, and share. You’e one of these people, my friend.

      Some writers write weekly without fail, like Allison and Rick Goater. Then you have someone who writes about nerve gases! Simply incredible!

      It’s such a wonderful community and I’m proud we are still here after 5 years. After the summer I’ll have more time to work on this site. Need brainstorming. Will need to get together again.

      Thank you, Roger.

      Reply
  4. Gopi says

    March 13, 2018 at 8:04 pm

    Mike

    Thanks for this excellent and informative article.

    Reply

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