Ben Larson poison gas research paper 1/03/10

Poison gas revolutionized the horrors of war during WWI and WWII. These noxious

gases were notorious for their subsequent injuries and long term side effects. Boils, corroded

throat ways, blindness, and death became the new nightmares on the battlefield.

Poison gas started first with the Germans in the form of chlorine gas April 1915

(Maccinis, 164). As trench warfare often resulted in prolonged stalemates between the two

opposing sides, chlorine gas soon reached a high level of popularity in the eyes of trench locked

soldiers. Compressed canisters of chlorine gas, simply made with ammonia and bleach, were

discharged up wind in many WWI/WWII battle scenarios. Though chlorine gas often killed

soldiers, its ability to cause massive coughing fits made proper prolong gas inhalation difficult

thus creating a desire for a more effective killer gas (Poison gas and WWI, 2010). Phosgene gas

soon replaced chlorine gas as it had the ability to seep into the respiratory with less agitation and

normally killed within 48 hours (Poison gas and WWI).

Mustard gas came into usage after its creation by V. Meyer in 1886 (Kid.Net.AU, 2010).

The deadly gas caused the skin to develop painful boils and if in haled the victim would surely

die from lung corrosion and edema (Kid.Net.AU). If a soldier was lucky enough to not inhale

this killer gas, the residual blistering liquid left around him would be enough help maintain the

high level of suffering with its blistering properties. Those who survived exposure to mustard

gas often suffered from disfigurations due to the blistering of their skin and eyes. Exposure to

the eyes always resulted in blindness.

When it came to deadly potential, cyanide gas reigned supreme over chlorine and

mustard gas. Cyanide is a blood agent which inhibits the flow of oxygen within the body

Ben Larson poison gas research paper 1/03/10

causing the affected solider to suffocate with their mouths wide open. Used in gas chambers,

hydrogen cyanide assisted Hitler in the killing of millions during the holocaust (Mazal, 2009).

Nerve agents were first developed by Ranajit Ghosh whilst he experimented in hopes

for a new pesticide (New World Encyclopedia, 2009). Nerve agents such as Sarin, Tabun,

Soman, and VX can kill almost instantly with minimal doses (Encyclopedia Britannica, 2009).

Nerve agents affect the transmission of impulses through the nervous system causing the brain

centers controlling respiration to shut down (Encyclopedia Britannica). Muscles like the heart

and diaphragm also became paralyzed which lead to an inevitable death (Encyclopedia

Britannica). Symptoms of nerve agent poisoning are intense sweating, uncontrollable vomiting,

defecation, and eventually respiratory failure alongside muscle paralysis (Encyclopedia

Britannica). Death to the exposed came within minutes of respiratory exposure and within hours

when exposed to the liquid form of nerve agent (Encyclopedia Britannica).

When it came to the protection against poison gas, gas mask became the new war time

norm. A gas mask is a breathing apparatus that filters the air of harmful particles and gases. The

first gas masks consisted of wet cloths soaked in a filtering agent. Later on, the common gas

mask consisted of a tight fitting mask, exhalation valve, filters, and a translucent eyepiece

(Encyclopedia Britannica, 2009). Filters using a charcoal filtering technique allowed those

once devastated by poison gas to stand a fighting chance (How Gas Mask Work, 2010). Though

gas mask created an effective form of defense for those on the battlefield, not every harmful

chemical could be avoided by the use of one mask alone (encyclopedia Britannica).