A chemical warfare gas that is inhaled, ingested, or absorbed into the body through the skin. Nerve gas has paralyzing and other harmful effects, especially on the nervous and respiratory systems. Effects of poisoning depend on the type of gas, but can include immediate death or long-term disability.
Any gas that disrupts the normal functioning of nerves and thus of the muscles they supply. There are two groups, the G agents and the V agents. The latter are more than 300 times as deadly as mustard gas: one inhalation can kill by paralyzing the respiratory muscles. V agents also act through the skin, therefore gas masks are ineffective protection against them.
Gaseous materials used in chemical warfare. The agents may be stored in liquid form but are aerosolized at the time of use. These chemicals are readily absorbed through the skin. Some forms (organophosphates that inhibit acetylcholinesterase) cause copious secretions from the nose, eyes, mouth, lungs, and intestines. Muscle fasiculations, twitching, and miosis will result from exposure. A large dose may cause sudden unconsciousness, convulsions, flaccid paralysis, apnea, and death. With some agents, only a few breaths of the vapor may cause death.