Chemical weapons are weapons that contain chemical agents. These agents are poisonous chemical compounds that can injure or kill individuals through contact, inhalation or ingestion. The chemical agent can be in the form of liquids or gasses but can vary in properties. The agents are generally stable whilst being stored but can be very reactive when released.

Chemical weapons have been used throughout history in warfare dating back to ancient and medieval times where weapons and arrows dipped in poison where used to kill their opponent more effectively. During the 1800s it was possible to produce large amounts of chemical agents, which led to an international peace conference held in The Hague1 in 1899 to prohibit the use of chemical agents on weapons and in projectiles. Mass use of chemical agents was first seen in World War I where 100,000 tonnes of toxic chemical was used resulting in 90,000 deaths and over a million casualties1.

Currently there are many different types of agents used in chemical weapons, which can be grouped together in different categories;

· Blister agents are chemical agents that cause blisters, irritation, eye damage, respiratory damage and gastrointestinal damage.

Many of these chemical agents have been used in large amounts in warfare as early as World War I, where large amounts of chlorine, mustard and phosgene were sprayed upon soldiers. Mustard has also been used in many civil wars in Africa and Egypt during the 1930s. The Japanese manufacture large amounts of mustard and other chemical agents and tested these chemicals on prisoners, who were tied up and exposed to the chemicals (some were even forced to drink them). During the Vietnam War extensive use of chemical weapons was used by the US and in the eighties, Iraq used mustard and tabun on Iran soldiers. The agents can be delivered to targets in many ways including missiles, bombs, rockets, grenades, artillery shells, crude canisters and landmines.

· Choking agents are toxic chemicals that mix with the moisture in the lungs and turns to acid, which builds up in the lungs. This build up results in not enough oxygen to be transferred through the body and the victim drowns.

Some common words found in the essay are:
War II, Hydrogen Cyanide, , British French, Aum Shinrikyo, World War, Chlorine Cl2, Vietnam War, Africa Egypt, Sarin C4H10FO2P, chemical agents, chemical weapons, hydrogen cyanide, eyes skin, gas mask worn, mask worn, gas mask, world war, biological weapons, cause death, agents chemical, biological suit gas, suit gas mask, agents chemical weapons, eventually causing victim,
Approximate Word count = 1131
Approximate Pages = 5 (250 words per page double spaced)