S ince the mid-1990s, there has been a change in the public' s perception of the threat from biological weapons. Fears of intentional biological warfare and terrorism were heightened by the revelations that Iraq and the Soviet Union developed extensive biological warfare programs 1 and the Aum Shinrikyo' s attempted uses of anthrax and botulinum toxin and successful use of sarin gas. 2 Although...

Among the blistering (vesicant) chemical warfare agents (CWA), sulfur mustard is the most important since it is known as the “King of chemical warfare agents”. The use of sulfur mustard has caused serious damages in several organs, especially the eyes, skin, respiratory, central and peripheral nervous systems after short and long term exposure, incapacitating and even killing people and troops....

Medical Aspects of Chemical and Biological Warfare 2 INTRODUCTION " Gas! Gas! " This warning cry, so common in World War I, almost became real to U.S. forces again as they prepared to liberate Kuwait in late 1990. The threat of chemical, and even biological, warfare was foremost in the minds of U.S. military personnel during Operation Desert Shield, the preparation for the Persian Gulf War. Ira...

Toxins are hazardous biochemical compounds derived from bacteria, fungi, or plants. Some have mechanisms of action and physical properties that make them amenable for use as potential warfare agents. Currently, some toxins are classified as potential biological weapons, although they have several differences from classic living bio-terror pathogens and some similarities to manmade chemical warf...