Vx Gas

VX gas is one of the dangerous chemicals created for purposes of warfare. It was developed in Port Down, Wiltshire, England in 1952. The British traded the technology of VX with the United States for information on thermonuclear weapons.

Its chemical formula is CH3CH2O-P(O)(CH3)-SCH2CH2N(C3H7)2 and is normally in its liquid state despite its name. It is odourless and is an excellent adhesive (it sticks to objects well). A special form has been developed that is so adhesive that it is practically impossible to remove from the surface that it comes in contact with.

In the liquid form of VX, it is absorbed through the eyes or the skin of the victim. It takes an hour or two to take effect and its effects result in death. The gaseous form is more deadly that the liquid and acts almost immediately upon its victim, ending in death.

The lethal dose of VX can be as little as 10mg for humans (just for comparison, a raindrop weighs about 80mg). VX operates by cutting off the nervous system by binding the enzyme that transmits signals to the brain. Therefore, the nerves become isolated and uncontrollable. A victim that has been exposed to VX by inhalation of the gaseous form will first experience a burning sensation on the skin and extreme twitches. In a matter of minutes, their skin melts off and they suffer from extreme convulsions of every nerve in their body, this eventually snaps their spine. These effects are immediate upon contact by inhalation; if it is spread by contact with the skin, these signs and symptoms may take longer to become noticeable.

The antidote, atropine, is a toxin itself but it counteracts the effect of VX by removing it from the nerve enzyme. It is normally injected into the arm or thigh in the case of coming in contact with VX; for gaseous attacks the atropine must be injected directly into the heart. The mortality rate for infected people that did not receive immediate treatment is 100%. For infected people that do receive treatment, it is around 60%, although in gaseous attacks, the mortality rate [with treatment] is 35%.

The only known countries to possess VX are U.S. France, and Russia (Iraq is believed to have possession of VX). England, after inventing it, abandoned the thought for thermonuclear warfare.

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