Vx
by Amy Wessenberg
Characteristics
- has the texture of motor oil
- odorless
- tasteless
- amber in color
- slow to evaporate
- can be distributed as gas or liquid
- man made and not naturally found in the environment
- rapidly lethal in the body
Deadliest weapon VX nerve gas
VX can be absorbed into the body by inhalation, ingestion, skin contact, or eye contact.
Chemical Effeccts
- prevents proper operation of enzymes crossing over the synapse in the brain to control glands and muscles in the body
- this causes the glads and muscles to be constantly stimulated
- without getting the enzymes to stop the muscles, they will tires and breathing will no longer be able to happen
Lethal Doses
- 10 milligrams through skin contact
- 30-50 mg*min/m^3 through inhalation
Symptoms
Acute poisoning:
- low/high blood pressure
- blurred vision
- chest tightness
- confusing
- cough
- diarrhea
- drooling/sweating
- eye pain
- headache
- vomiting
- runny nose
- weakness
Chronic poisoning:
- convulsions
- loss of consciousness
- paralysis
- respiratory failure possibly leading to death
Build up of this poison is possible for people who are exposed to it for a long amount of time.
Treatment
- removing poison from body as soon as possible at a hospital
- antidotes are available for vx