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Abstract
This essay gives an overview on chemical and biological terrorism agents and presents in details one of the toxic weapons which became a favorite tool of extremist individuals or groups who seek to harm others.
Biological and chemical weapons:
Chemical and biological warfare agents are weapons that can be used not only for military purposes, but also on civilian populations as weapons of terror because of their toxicity and rapid effect. Terrorist interest in the use of chemical and biological (CB) weapons has grown substantially since the Tokyo subway was attacked with sarin, a nerve agent, in 1995. The recent war between the United States and Iraq as well as the current threat of further US military involvement in the Gulf region has reportedly raised the prospect of the use of CB weapons both on the battlefield and in terrorist attacks on civilian populations anywhere in the world.
There has always been the possibility of a chemical attack, but only since 11 September 2001 have we been especially aware of this vulnerability. In addition to the death and physical injury they cause, the use of CWAs may also give rise to fear, panic, and psychological trauma throughout the population. Fear of the use of these weapons should cause the government and the general public to expand resources to tackle this threat, including purchasing protective equipment, delivering specialised training. In many ways, medical preparedness is the best defence and is something that can be done immediately. Successful management of casualties in a toxic chemical attack depends on planning, preparation, and training. Medical care of the casualties depends on knowledge of the agent and timely intervention.