title: Chemical weapons: documented use and compounds on the horizon.
abstract: Man's inhumanity to man is expressed through a plethora of tools of modern warfare and terror. The use of chemical and biological weapons with the goals of assault, demoralisation and lethality has been documented in recent history, both on the battlefield and in urban terror against civilians. A general review of a few of the currently employed chemical weapons and biological toxins, along with a look at potential chemical weapons and tools of counter-terrorism, follows. While these weapons are fearsome elements, the dangers should be viewed in the context of the widespread availability and efficacy of conventional weapons.
authors.affiliation: Hôpital Fernand Widal, Université Paris VII, 200 rue du Fg-St-Denis, 75475 Paris, France.
authors.forename: Chantal
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Bismuth
authors.forename: Stephen W
authors.initials: SW
authors.lastname: Borron
authors.forename: Frederic J
authors.initials: FJ
authors.lastname: Baud
authors.forename: Patrick
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Barriot
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002618:Chemical Warfare / Q000266:history / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence / Q000639:trends; D003486:Cyanides / Q000633:toxicity; D049673:History, 20th Century; D006801:Humans; D007509:Irritants / Q000737:chemistry / Q000633:toxicity; D009150:Mustard Compounds / Q000737:chemistry / Q000633:toxicity; D009498:Neurotoxins / Q000633:toxicity; D012276:Ricin / Q000737:chemistry / Q000633:toxicity
chemical_list: D003486:Cyanides; D007509:Irritants; D009150:Mustard Compounds; D009498:Neurotoxins; D012276:Ricin