Mell Are biological and chemical weapons illegal?
The international community banned the use of chemical and biological weapons after World War 1 and reinforced the ban in 1972 and 1993 by prohibiting their development, stockpiling and transfer.
Is it legal to use chemical weapons?
The Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC) is a multilateral treaty that bans chemical weapons and requires their destruction within a specified period of time. The treaty is of unlimited duration and is far more comprehensive than the 1925 Geneva Protocol, which outlaws the use but not the possession of chemical weapons.
Why are chemical and biological weapons banned?
The modern use of chemical weapons began with World War I, when both sides to the conflict used poisonous gas to inflict agonizing suffering and to cause significant battlefield casualties. As a result of public outrage, the Geneva Protocol, which prohibited the use of chemical weapons in warfare, was signed in 1925.
What kind of gases are considered choking agents?
Background. Pulmonary agents (also known as “choking” agents) compose a class of chemical compounds that disrupt normal breathing. They encompass a wide array of gases, including chlorine, ammonia, phosgene, organohalides, and nitrogen oxides. 1,2 These compounds have figured prominently in military conflicts; notably, the US Civil War.
When was the use of chemical and biological weapons banned?
Chemical and biological weapons. The international community banned the use of chemical and biological weapons after World War I and reinforced the ban in 1972 and 1993 by prohibiting the development, production, stockpiling and transfer of these weapons.
What should you do if you come in contact with choking agents?
Decontamination is a critical step in mitigating the effects of choking agents. Those who come into physical contact with chlorine, phosgene, or chloropicrin should immediately remove their clothing, making sure to cut contaminated garments off rather than pull them over their faces.
How does a choking agent enter the body?
Choking agents enter the body primarily via inhalation, and their effects vary by type and level of exposure. In the short term, low exposure to any of the choking agents typically damages the larger airways.