What is Toxicology, V-Series Nerve Agents?
V-Series nerve agents are a type of chemicals, often used as dangerous weapons. These agents work by blocking a specific chemical enzyme in the body known as acetylcholinesterase. This blockage can cause various effects such as seizures, excessive drooling or salivation, watery eyes or lacrimation, frequent urination, excessive sweating or diaphoresis, diarrhea, vomiting, pupil shrinkage or miosis, and muscle spasms. Even a small dose, measured in milligrams, of certain types of these nerve agents can potentially be deadly to humans.
What Causes Toxicology, V-Series Nerve Agents?
V-series nerve agents were first found in 1952 by researchers in the United Kingdom while they were studying certain chemicals for use in pesticides.
There are five main types of V-series nerve agents, labelled as VX, VE, VG, VM, and VR. Each one has a complicated chemical name, but they can be categorized under the V-series nerve agents umbrella. Particularly, the VR nerve agent chemical is the basis for chemicals called Novichok 5 and Novichok 7, which were developed by the Soviet Union.
Characteristics of these V-series nerve agents include being thick like an oil and having a low rate of evaporation, meaning they can stick around in the environment for a long time and are hard to clean away. These agents are like an oily liquid when at room temperature.
Interestingly, some of these nerve agents can exist as binary agents. This means they are originally two non-harmful chemicals that react together inside a weapon to create the harmful nerve agent. For example, the nerve agent VX is formed when the chemicals isopropyl aminomethyl ethyl phosphorite and elemental sulfur react together. V-series agents can be used as liquids or sprays.
Risk Factors and Frequency for Toxicology, V-Series Nerve Agents
V-series nerve agents, which are lethal chemicals, were amassed in huge amounts in the 1950s and 1960s. They were stored in different forms such as rockets, bombs, artillery shells, aerosol sprays, and landmines. Traces of a particularly potent nerve agent called VX were found on warheads used by Saddam Hussein in the late 1980s. This deadly chemical was also used by the Japanese cult called Aum Shinrikyo in the 1990s, causing harm to three people, one of whom died.
Following the 1997 Chemical Weapons Convention, the stockpiles of these nerve agents are being gradually eradicated. The remaining VX nerve agent in the U.S. is set to be disposed of at a facility in Richmond, Kentucky. Russia, on the other hand, has developed more potent nerve agents called Novichok agents that have reportedly been used in assassination attempts.
- Large amounts of V-series nerve agents were stockpiled in the 1950s and 1960s in various forms.
- Traces of a V-series nerve agent, VX, were found on warheads used in the late 80s.
- The same nerve agent was used by a Japanese cult in the 90s, leading to one death.
- According to the 1997 Chemical Weapons Convention, these nerve agents are being gradually destroyed.
- The remaining VX nerve agent in the U.S. is set to be disposed of in Richmond, Kentucky.
- Russia has developed more potent nerve agents known as Novichok agents which have been linked with assassination attempts.
Signs and Symptoms of Toxicology, V-Series Nerve Agents
V-series nerve agents are harmful chemicals generally used in warfare. If these agents are released, many people could be exposed at the same time and display symptoms associated with a chemical attack. Symptoms are very similar to poisoning from certain pesticides and can include seizures, excessive saliva production, runny nose, watery eyes, increased urination, sweaty skin, diarrhea, vomiting, constricted pupils, and muscle spasms. People may also experience bronchospasms (a tightening of the muscles around the airways), a slowed heartbeat, and central apnea, which is a disorder that causes irregular breathing during sleep.
The most common cause of death from nerve agent exposure is respiratory failure, which results from these breathing problems. Those who survive nerve agent poisoning may suffer from insomnia, depression, anxiety, irritability, and problems with memory and decision-making. Even after several weeks, survivors may continue to suffer from symptoms affecting the eyes such as narrow pupils, diminished vision, blurred vision, and eye pain. Long-term effects on the nervous system have also been reported.
- Seizures
- Excessive saliva production
- Runny nose
- Watery eyes
- Increased urination
- Sweaty skin
- Diarrhea
- Vomiting
- Constricted pupils
- Muscle spasms
- Bronchospasms
- Slowed heartbeat
- Central apnea
- Insomnia
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Irritability
- Memory and decision-making problems
- Long-term nervous system effects
Testing for Toxicology, V-Series Nerve Agents
If you’re suspected of being exposed to V-series nerve agents, also known as deadly chemicals that can affect the nervous system, it’s essential to get help as quickly as possible. You might experience symptoms like heavy sweating, difficulty breathing, or sudden weakness, or you may remember being in a situation where you could have come into contact with hazardous chemicals.
Once you’ve sought medical assistance, decontamination and treatment will start right away. Unfortunately, steps to test for these nerve agents in your body aren’t easily accessible and won’t typically guide the medical team’s approach to your treatment. Yet, certain changes in your body could indicate exposure. For instance, the checks may show more acid in your body than usual or signs that your muscles are breaking down.
One crucial test may reveal lower than normal levels in red blood cell cholinesterase, an enzyme that helps nerves and muscles function properly. If levels are reduced, this could be a signal that nerve agents are present.
Apart from human body tests, certain tools can detect V-series nerve agents in the environment. These include M8 paper, M9 tape, the M256A1 Chemical Agent Detector Kit, or the Joint Chemical Agent Detector (JCAD). These devices can be lifesaving in preventing further exposure to these harmful nerve agents.
Treatment Options for Toxicology, V-Series Nerve Agents
If a person is exposed to nerve agents, which are poisonous chemicals, the first and most important step in their treatment is to stop their exposure to the nerve agent. This can be done by removing them from the area where the exposure occurred and cleaning their body to remove any remaining nerve agent. This cleaning process is called decontamination and it should be done before any other medical treatment, if possible. Some nerve agents can stay in the skin and continue to cause symptoms, this is known as a depot effect.
Decontamination can be done by washing the affected areas with a solution containing 0.5% hypochlorite, or with soap and clean water. However, the best method to decontaminate someone exposed to nerve agents is by using Reactive Skin Decontamination Lotion (RSDL), if it’s available. The ingredients in RSDL capture and neutralize the nerve agents. If a person has been exposed to nerve agents on large areas of their skin, they will need to use several sponges of RSDL for effective decontamination.
People who have been exposed to nerve agents, or who are showing symptoms of exposure, should be given antidote medications called atropine and pralidoxime. Atropine works by blocking receptors in the body that the nerve agent affects, stopping the overflow of a substance called acetylcholine, though it won’t improve muscle symptoms. Atropine can be given until the patient’s airways are clear and less tight. Pralidoxime, on the other hand, works by removing nerve agents from the enzyme they affect, refreshing the enzyme’s function.
These medications can be given using an auto-injector, which is a device that can administer the medication through a quick and easy injection. One example of these auto injectors is the Antidote Treatment Nerve Agent Autoinjector. However, after three of these injections have been given, additional pralidoxime should not be given for 60 to 90 minutes.
Patients are also given medications such as diazepam or midazolam to prevent seizures and convulsions. The U.S. military uses an auto-injector called the Convulsive Antidote Nerve Agent (CANA) for this purpose. If a person receives three injections from the Antidote Treatment Nerve Agent Autoinjector, they should also receive a dosage of Convulsive Antidote Nerve Agent or similar medication to prevent seizures, even if seizures are not yet visible.
Administering medication through auto-injectors has been shown to reach effective levels in the body faster than traditional needle and syringe injections. Scopolamine, a medicine that blocks certain effects of acetylcholine in the central nervous system, can significantly reduce the amount of atropine needed for a patient. Certain medications such as opiates, phenothiazines, antihistamines, and succinylcholine, should be avoided in patients who have been exposed to certain types of nerve agents.
What else can Toxicology, V-Series Nerve Agents be?
Exposure to certain harmful substances can lead to serious health issues. These substances can include, but are not limited to:
- Chemical warfare agents (CBRNE)
- Nerve agents, binary like GB2 or VX2 (CBRNE)
- Nerve agents, G-series such as Tabun, Sarin, Soman (CBRNE)
- Organic phosphorus compounds and carbamate toxicity
- Organophosphate toxicity
What to expect with Toxicology, V-Series Nerve Agents
The V series refers to a group of fatal substances. If someone is suspected to have been exposed to these substances, immediate cleaning and giving anti-poison treatments can increase their chances of surviving.
