Environmental Impact of Nerve Gas?

[asnys]

This is just something I'm curious about, and haven't seen discussed before. We've discussed nerve agent use in World War II, World War III, various other conflicts, but I can't recall any discussion of the long-term environmental consequences, if any, of large-scale nerve gas deployment. Would there be any? Either on the ecosystem or on human health?

What about other CW agents? I assume the WW1 war gases didn't have a serious impact, since I've never seen it mentioned, but what about stuff like BZ and other psychotropics?

 

[nbcman]

This is just something I'm curious about, and haven't seen discussed before. We've discussed nerve agent use in World War II, World War III, various other consequences, but I can't recall any discussion of the long-term environmental consequences, if any, of large-scale nerve gas deployment. Would there be any? Either on the ecosystem or on human health?

Since nerve agents are essentially stronger pesticides, they would also kill off many other animals as well as insects. This could completely disrupt agriculture due to the killing off of bees and other creatures required to pollinate plants in the area. Non-persistent agents cause long term nerve damage and increased risk of cancer to humans if they survive the initial dose. Persistent nerve agents would create an area where any human or other creature could be affected for a substantial period until the agent is weathered away or until humans decontaminate the area by diluting or removing the agent. The major risk of a persistent agent is via physical contact with the agent as opposed to non-persistent agents that have a greater inhalation risk.

What about other CW agents? I assume the WW1 war gases didn't have a serious impact, since I've never seen it mentioned, but what about stuff like BZ and other psychotropics?

Blister agents (vesicants) are also persistent agents and can remain potent for years depending on how persistent (thickened) they are. There are cases of clumps of thickened blister agents that were dumped in WW2 that are still capable of causing injury when they wash ashore. Other agents used in WW1 were non-persistent items like chlorine or phosgene gases which would not have a long term effect. I am not sure about BZ or similar items.

 

[Astrodragon]

In short, nasty.

It was estimated that in the event of use in Germany in a WW3 scenario, many tons of insect larvae would have to be imported just to try and get the eco-system back working.

And while the agents tend to degrade in heat and wet, it can persist, in lethal doses, on places like the underside of things.

 

[Gunnarnz]

Aren't a lot of nerve gasses phosphorous-based? I know that's one of the elements plants need from fertiliser, does it have to be a phosphate or would the residues of these agents also have an effect?

 

[asnys]

Since nerve agents are essentially stronger pesticides, they would also kill off many other animals as well as insects. This could completely disrupt agriculture due to the killing off of bees and other creatures required to pollinate plants in the area. Non-persistent agents cause long term nerve damage and increased risk of cancer to humans if they survive the initial dose. Persistent nerve agents would create an area where any human or other creature could be affected for a substantial period until the agent is weathered away or until humans decontaminate the area by diluting or removing the agent. The major risk of a persistent agent is via physical contact with the agent as opposed to non-persistent agents that have a greater inhalation risk.

Thank you for the information. I'm curious, does "nbcman" stand for, well, NBC?

In short, nasty.

It was estimated that in the event of use in Germany in a WW3 scenario, many tons of insect larvae would have to be imported just to try and get the eco-system back working.

Do you have a reference for that? That sounds really interesting and I'd like to read more, especially since I'm getting interested in ecosystem engineering.

 

[Delta Force]

According to the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons, VX is about as volatile as petroleum, while sarin is about as volatile as water.

All nerve agents in pure state are colourless liquids. Their volatility varies widely. The consistency of VX may be likened to an involatile oil and is therefore classified as belonging to the group of persistent CW agents. Its effect is mainly through direct contact with the skin. Sarin is at the opposite extreme, being an easily volatile liquid (comparable with, e.g., water), and mainly taken up through the respiratory organs. The volatilities of soman, tabun and GF are between those of sarin and VX. By addition of a thickener it is possible for, e.g., soman, to be transferred from the category of volatile CW agents to the persistent agents.

Sarin is very soluble in water whereas other nerve agents are more sparingly soluble. VX has the unexpected property of being soluble in cold water but sparingly soluble in warm water (>9.5 °C).

 

[Pesterfield]

A good example from 'How to Make War' by James Dunnigan

Mustard Gas: 8 weeks winter, 7 days summer, 2 days raining
VX: 16 weeks winter, 3 weeks summer, 12 hours raining

That's combat use though and only worried about human lethality.

 

[Delta Force]

A good example from 'How to Make War' by James Dunnigan

Mustard Gas: 8 weeks winter, 7 days summer, 2 days raining
VX: 16 weeks winter, 3 weeks summer, 12 hours raining

That's combat use though and only worried about human lethality.

Low level exposure is still quite hazardous of course.