WMDs, Nerve Agents, and Organophosphates (about those Iraqi "pesticides"...)

Gulflink.com / Kentucky Regional Poison Center

[Sabertooth]

Nerve agent (excerpt)

Nerve agents are organophosphate compounds. Nerve agents are normally divided into G-agents (fluorine- or cyanide-containing organophosphates) and V-agents (sulfur-containing organophosphates). The principal nerve agents are tabun (GA), sarin (GB), soman (GD), cyclosarin (GF), and VX

Nerve agents are all viscous liquids, not gases per se. However, the vapor pressures of the G-series nerve agents are sufficiently high for the vapors to be rapidly lethal. GB is so volatile that small droplets released from a shell exploding in the air may never reach the ground. This total volatilization means that GB is largely a vapor hazard. G-agents are potent inhibitors of the enzyme acetylcholinesterase, which is required for the function of many nerves and muscles. People poisoned by G-agents may display the following symptoms: difficulty breathing, drooling, excessive sweating, nausea, vomiting, cramps, twitching, jerking, staggering, headache, confusion, drowsiness, coma, and convulsions. The number and severity of the symptoms depend on the quantity and route of entry of the nerve agent into the body.

When a nerve agent is inhaled, a prominent symptom is the pinpointing of the pupils (miosis) and a dimness of vision. Nerve agents are cumulative poisons. Repeated exposure to low concentrations, if not too far apart, will produce symptoms.
Gulflink

Organophosphate Pesticides - Introduction (excerpt)

The organophosphates have replaced DDT as the leading pesticides because of their rapid breakdown into environmentally safe products. However, they have far more immediate toxicity than DDT and other related products.

There are more than 40 organophosphate pesticides on the market today and all can have acute and sub-acute toxicity. They are used in agriculture, homes, gardens, and in veterinary practice. They are all inhibitors of acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and cause similar symptoms. In 1999, more than 13,000 cases of organophosphate poisoning were reported to US poison centers, with more than 3000 cases seen in the emergency department (ED) and 83 fatalities.

Carbamate insecticides have a similar action of inhibition of acetylcholinesterase. However it is a temporary bond, usually lasting less than 12 hours. Additionally, the carbamates have less penetration across the blood-brain barrier than the organophosphates.
Kentucky Regional Poison Center

[Sabertooth]

Something to keep in mind when we hear reports that the suspected chemical weapons now being found in Iraq are actually only pesticides.

[Sabertooth]

((((((growl)))))

[Sabertooth]

A ping for the science list, as sometimes science has relevance to the news.

[Cyber Liberty]

Until last year, I used to think that baby food was made out of Sarin.

[eastsider]

Excellent post, Sabertooth.

[CholeraJoe]

When I practiced in the South, I would see 1-2 cases of organophosphate poisoning per year due to carelessness among crop dusters. It usually involved spilling undiluted parathion on their clothes while filling tanks. It's pretty easy to treat with atropine injection but it takes a boatload of atropine.

[tallhappy]

It is a little known fact that Iraqis always keep their supplies of pesticides at military compounds.

That's sarcasm directed at those trying desperately to come up with anything.

If they found a lot of chemicals at a farm, then it would be reasonable to assume pesticides first, chemical weapons second.

At a military base the opposite is true.

The substances have been tested in mobile labs, after the initial less sensitive tests were done:

More precise tests by an Army Fox mobile nuclear, biological and chemical detection laboratory indicated the existence of sarin and triggered the evacuation of the captured military compound by dozens of soldiers.

From Knight Ridder report.

We have our usual suspect here pushing the pesticide angle. Makes sense for a farm, not a military compound.

[michigander]

Thanks!

[MeekOneGOP]

FOX just now breaking news that they have found chemical weapons in/near Karbala. Chemical warfare agents (nerve agents, mustard). DRUMS of the stuff.

We'll see if this pans out as legit . . .

we now return to our regularly scheduled programming . . .

[L.N. Smithee]

FOX just now breaking news that they have found chemical weapons in/near Karbala. Chemical warfare agents (nerve agents, mustard). DRUMS of the stuff. We'll see if this pans out as legit . . .

If it does, the Blix defenders will come down with a serious case of the hamana-hamana-hamanas...

[WestPoint90]

Is it now safe to say that all of the news of earlier today that we had theWMD smoking gun are all suspect. Rush was talking about weaponized agents on missles ready to fire. Is that all a big steamy pile too? Sorry TV challenged.

[bigfootbob]

Have you ever treated someone for acute poisoning from glyphosate from accidental exposure? Not drinking the stuff from a suicide or homicide attempt.

[AlaskaErik]

As the old saying goes..."Ignorance is Blix".

[CholeraJoe]

I have not. Glyphosate is practically non-toxic orally but some salts can cause eye irritation. I use it on my weeds all the time.

[unspun]

Do they even have any crops to dust in Iraq?
Just looks like dust to dust, to me, if you know what I mean.

[Darksheare]

Naaah, that's the chicken and noodle MRE's.
Or was it the supposed beef fried pork MRE?
Heck.. I don't remember anymore, but I'm fine after eating them!
*Clutch chest, keel over. Thud.*

[FourtySeven]

Very good post! Most deserving of a bump!

[Cyber Liberty]

My son has JROTC camp this summer. I need to start feeding him those MREs left over from Y2K to get him prepared....

*Thud*

[bigfootbob]

"I use it on my weeds all the time."

Me too. I have some overly enthusiastic friends that consider Round-Up deadly. Our State is considering following California's lead and ban the use from school yards. It makes for some interesting debates.

[CholeraJoe]

It IS deadly if your metabolism is based on chlorophyll not hemoglobin which is what I'm equipped with.