The other is the Pueblo Chemical Depot in Colorado. Chemical weapons destruction began at the latter in The Blue Grass Army Depot originally stored over tons of mustard and nerve agents in mm projectiles, 8-inch projectiles, and M55 rockets. Each mm munition can carry either 6 pounds of VX or Efforts to dispose of the mm VX artillery shells started on January 10, A BGCAPP spokesperson explained to Insider that the length of time it takes for the plant to destroy a batch of chemical weapons projectiles varies.
The number of weapons the plant can process at a time can range from a handful to several dozen. To dispose of the VX projectiles, automated equipment first dismantles the munition, and then the chemical agent and weapons components are destroyed separately through chemical and thermal treatments.
The next phase will start this fall, when the plant will start disposing of the M55 rockets, each carrying about 11 pounds of VX, that are still stored at the Blue Grass Army Depot.
Nerve agents like VX are chemically similar to pesticides, although far stronger. It was first developed in the UK in the s as a chemical warfare agent.
It is an oily liquid, amber in color, odorless and tasteless. The vapor form of VX is the deadliest -- and the quickest to kill. As a liquid, it could potentially be released into a water supply or used to poison someone's food. Like all nerve agents, VX stops a vital enzyme from working -- which eventually leads to the body tiring, and no longer being able to breathe.
VX is not only the deadliest nerve agent, but also the most persistent in the environment -- it evaporates slowly, especially in cold conditions, making it both a long- and short-term threat. Nerve gas: How does it harm people? What are the symptoms? Depending how much of the agent a person was exposed to, symptoms will start occurring either immediately or up to 18 hours later. Large doses can cause convulsions, loss of consciousness, paralysis and death, because of respiratory failure.
Exposure to mustard is not always noticed immediately because of the latent and sign-free period that may occur after skin exposure. This may result in delayed decontamination or failure to decontaminate at all. Whatever means is used has to be efficient and quick acting. Within 2 minutes contact time, a drop of mustard on the skin can cause serious damage. Chemical inactivation using chlorination is effective against mustard and lewisite, less so against HN, and is ineffective against phosgene oxime.
The great majority of mustard gas casualties survive. There is no practical drug treatment available for preventing the effects of mustard. Infection is the most important complicating factor in the healing of mustard burns. There is no consensus on the optimum form of treatment. Protection against these agents can only be achieved by a full protective ensemble. The respirator alone protects against eye and lung damage and gives some protection against systemic effects.
No drug is available for the prevention of the effects of mustard on the skin and the mucous membranes caused by mustards. It is possible to protect the skin against very low doses of mustard by covering it with a paste containing a chlorinating agent, e.
The only practical prophylactic method is physical protection such as is given by the protective respirator and special clothing. In a pure form lewisite is a colorless and odorless liquid, but usually contains small amounts of impurities that give it a brownish color and an odor resembling geranium oil. It is heavier than mustard, poorly soluble in water but soluble in organic solvents. L is a vesicant blister agent , also, it acts as a systemic poison, causing pulmonary edema, diarrhea, restlessness, weakness, subnormal temperature, and low blood pressure.
In order of severity and appearance of symptoms, it is: a blister agent, a toxic lung irritant, absorbed in tissues, and a systemic poison. When inhaled in high concentrations, may be fatal in as short a time as 10 minutes.
An antidote for lewisite is dimercaprol British anti-lewisite BAL. This ointment may be applied to skin exposed to lewisite before actual vesication has begun.
Some blistering is inevitable in most arsenical vesicant cases. The treatment of the erythema, blisters and denuded areas is identical with that for similar mustard lesions. Burns severe enough to cause shock and systemic poisoning are life-threatening. Even if the patient survives the acute effects, the prognosis must be guarded for several weeks.
In low concentrations, phosgene oxime severely irritates the eyes and respiratory organs. Any clothing that has to be pulled over the head should be cut off the body instead of pulled over the head.
If possible, seal the clothing in a plastic bag. Then seal the first plastic bag in a second plastic bag. Removing and sealing the clothing in this way will help protect people from any chemicals that might be on their clothes. If clothes were placed in plastic bags, inform either the local or state health department or emergency personnel upon their arrival.
Do not handle the plastic bags. If helping other people remove their clothing, try to avoid touching any contaminated areas, and remove the clothing as quickly as possible. Washing the body: As quickly as possible, wash any liquid VX from the skin with large amounts of soap and water. Washing with soap and water will help protect people from any chemicals on their bodies. Rinse the eyes with plain water for 10 to 15 minutes if they are burning or if vision is blurred.
If VX has been ingested swallowed , do not induce vomiting or give fluids to drink. Seek medical attention right away. Consider dialing and explaining what happened. How VX exposure is treated Treatment consists of removing VX from the body as soon as possible and providing supportive medical care in a hospital setting. Antidotes are available for VX. They are most useful if given as soon as possible after exposure. To receive email updates about this page, enter your email address: Email Address.
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