VX

updated Dec 24, 2010 by Steven Gilbert

Topic editor

Lead author

Overview

VX is one of the most pernicious and virulent of all chemical warfare agents. It was first synthesized in the early 1950s and later stockpiled by all Allied nations. It is highly toxic with 10 milligrams being lethal to humans.

Chemical Properties

VX is an odorless liquid with a density slightly greater than water and a viscosity similar to 30-weight motor oil and color ranging from clear to amber depending on purity (Tucker, 2006). It is three times as toxic as Sarin making it the most toxic of all Nerve Agents. It is also the least volatile of the nerve agents which makes it extremely persistent pollutant once used (CDC).

The degree of poisoning is directly related to the amount of VX exposure.

Pharmacology and Metabolism

VX is absorbed dermally, inhaled, or ingested and it [blocks the enzyme cholinasterase] resulting in an accumulation of [acetylcholine] that leads to nicotinic effects.

Health Effects

From CDC:
People exposed to a low or moderate dose of VX by inhalation, ingestion (swallowing), or skin absorption may experience some or all of the following symptoms within seconds to hours of exposure:

Runny nose
Watery eyes
Small, pinpoint pupils
Eye pain
Blurred vision
Drooling and excessive sweating
Cough
Chest tightness
Rapid breathing
Diarrhea
Increased urination
Confusion
Drowsiness
Weakness
Headache
Nausea, vomiting, and/or abdominal pain
Slow or fast heart rate
Abnormally low or high blood pressure
Even a tiny drop of nerve agent on the skin can cause sweating and muscle twitching where the agent touched the skin.

Exposure to a large dose of VX by any route may result in these additional health effects:

Loss of consciousness
Convulsions
Paralysis
Respiratory failure possibly leading to death
Showing these signs and symptoms does not necessarily mean that a person has been exposed to VX.

Current Events

July 28, 1999

BBC Article concerning destruction of VX gas in Iraq.

Precaution

First, in case of VX exposure, one should leave the area of the phosgene release as quickly as possible. Remove clothing and wash entire body with soap or water and get to a medical care facility as quickly as possible.

Exposed clothing should be removed keeping it away from the head (cut off shirts if necessary rather than pull them off over the head) and should be sealed in a plastic bag if possible (CDC). If one has ingested phosgene, do not induce vomiting or drink any fluids.

[Atropine] is a known antidote for VX exposure.

External Links

Federation of American Scientists

Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons

References

CDC site on VX

Tucker, Johnathon B. War of Nerves: Chemical Warfare from World War I to Al-Qaeda. Pantheon Books, 2006.

Hutchinson, Robert. Weapons of mass Destruction: The No-nonsense Guide to Nuclear, Chemical and Biological Weapons Today. Widenfield and nicholson, 2003.

Smart, Jeffery K., M.A. (1997). "History of Biological and Chemical Warfare". Textbook of Military Medicine: Medical Aspects of Chemical and Biological Warfare. Retrieved Jan. 5, 2006 from Center for Diaster and Humanitarian Assistance Medicine (CDHAM).

Emedicine.com. Retreived Jan. 5, 2004.

{txp:2}
{authors}Topic editor: [Steven G. Gilbert]
Lead author: [Steven G. Gilbert]
{authors}

h2. Overview


----
VX is one of the most pernicious and virulent of all [chemical warfare agents|chemical weapons]. It was first synthesized in the early 1950s and later stockpiled by all Allied nations. It is highly toxic with 10 milligrams being lethal to humans.

{anchor:Chemical Properties}

h2. Chemical Properties


----
VX is an odorless liquid with a density slightly greater than water and a viscosity similar to 30-weight motor oil  and color ranging from clear to amber depending on purity ([#Tucker, 2006]). It is three times as toxic as [Sarin] making it the most toxic of all [nerve agents]. It is also the least volatile of the nerve agents which makes it extremely persistent pollutant once used ([#CDC]).

The degree of poisoning is directly related to the amount of VX exposure.

{anchor:Pharmacology and Metabolism}

h2. Pharmacology and Metabolism


----
VX is absorbed dermally, inhaled, or ingested and it [blocks the enzyme cholinasterase|cholinesterase inhibition] resulting in an accumulation of [acetylcholine|cholinesterase] that leads to nicotinic effects.

{anchor:Health Effects}

h2. Health Effects


----
From [#CDC]:
People exposed to a low or moderate dose of VX by inhalation, ingestion (swallowing), or skin absorption may experience some or all of the following symptoms within seconds to hours of exposure:
* Runny nose
* Watery eyes
* Small, pinpoint pupils
* Eye pain
* Blurred vision
* Drooling and excessive sweating
* Cough
* Chest tightness
* Rapid breathing
* Diarrhea
* Increased urination
* Confusion
* Drowsiness
* Weakness
* Headache
* Nausea, vomiting, and/or abdominal pain
* Slow or fast heart rate
* Abnormally low or high blood pressure
* Even a tiny drop of nerve agent on the skin can cause sweating and muscle twitching where the agent touched the skin.

\\
Exposure to a large dose of VX by any route may result in these additional health effects:
* Loss of consciousness
* Convulsions
* Paralysis
* Respiratory failure possibly leading to death
* Showing these signs and symptoms does not necessarily mean that a person has been exposed to VX.

{anchor:Current Events}

h2. Current Events


----
_July 28, 1999_
* [_BBC_ Article |http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/404896.stm] concerning destruction of VX gas in Iraq.

{anchor:Precaution}

h2. Precaution


----
First, in case of VX exposure, one should leave the area of the phosgene release as quickly as possible. Remove clothing and wash entire body with soap or water and get to a medical care facility as quickly as possible.

Exposed clothing should be removed keeping it away from the head (cut off shirts if necessary rather than pull them off over the head) and should be sealed in a plastic bag if possible ([#CDC]). If one has ingested phosgene, do not induce vomiting or drink any fluids.

[Atropine] is a known antidote for VX exposure.

{anchor:External Links}

h2. External Links


----
* [Federation of American Scientists|http://www.fas.org/cw/index.htm]

* [Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons|http://www.opcw.org/]

{anchor: References}

h2. References


----
{anchor: CDC}
[CDC site on VX|http://www.bt.cdc.gov/agent/vx/basics/facts.asp]

{anchor:Tucker, 2006}
Tucker, Johnathon B. *War of Nerves: Chemical Warfare from World War I to Al-Qaeda*. Pantheon Books, 2006.

{anchor:Hutchinson, 2003}
Hutchinson, Robert. *Weapons of mass Destruction: The No-nonsense Guide to Nuclear, Chemical and Biological Weapons Today*. Widenfield and nicholson, 2003.

{anchor:Smart, 1997}
Smart, Jeffery K., M.A. (1997). ["History of Biological and Chemical Warfare"|http://www.usuhs.mil/cbw/history.htm]. Textbook of Military Medicine: Medical Aspects of Chemical and Biological Warfare.   Retrieved Jan. 5, 2006 from Center for Diaster and Humanitarian Assistance Medicine (CDHAM).

{anchor:Emedicine}
[Emedicine.com|http://www.emedicinehealth.com/chemical_warfare/page6_em.htm]. Retreived Jan. 5, 2004.

Publish this draft for everyone to see.

Permanently discard changes to this page.

This cannot be undone.

Topic List

Attachments

VX

Overview

Chemical Properties

Pharmacology and Metabolism

Health Effects

Current Events

Precaution

External Links

References

Labels:

Example

Border and Background

Size and Position

Attachment Adjustments