What are chemical warfare agents?

Chemical warfare agents are substances specifically designed to inflict harm on human beings through their toxic effects. This category includes a range of harmful chemicals, particularly nerve agents and vesicants. Nerve agents, such as sarin and VX, disrupt the normal functioning of the nervous system, often leading to death or serious injury. Vesicants, like mustard gas, cause severe blistering and damage to the skin and lungs.

These agents are distinct from food preservatives, agricultural chemicals, and common household cleaning agents, which do not have the intent or capability to be used as weapons. The primary purpose of chemical warfare agents is to incapacitate or kill those exposed to them in a military context. Understanding the characteristics and intended usage of these agents is crucial for peace officers, especially in scenarios that may involve the assessment of hazardous materials or responding to incidents involving chemical attacks.