Nerve Agents: From Warfare to Pest Control – The Double-Edged Sword of Deadly Chemicals

In our pursuit to develop insecticides and other agents, we have been able to develop some agents that are deadly or injurious to our health, and this is because they are Nerve agents.

Nerve agents, when dispersed, can be fatal due to their insidious assault on the nervous system. They contain chemical inhibitors that target acetylcholinesterase, a crucial enzyme responsible for regulating acetylcholine, a neurotransmitter with a wide array of functions. Acetylcholine plays a pivotal role in transmitting nerve impulses, stimulating salivary glands, influencing the digestive system by promoting the release of digestive enzymes and enhancing gastrointestinal motility. It also affects respiratory muscles and airway diameter and contributes to blood pressure regulation by influencing blood vessel constriction and dilation.

When people are exposed to nerve agents, they lose function of their pupil, salivary gland, excretion, and ability to breath independently, after which it goes with cardiac arrest which can lead to death. Most nerve agent compounds are colorless, tasteless, and can be aerosolized. A lot of these nerve agents are odorless while some that do smell, have some pretty weird smell. It was developed during the second world war and since then has been used for different purposes even when they are harmful to the body.

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One such nerve agent is Demeton, initially developed for wartime use but later adapted for milder applications as an insecticide. In this capacity, Demeton proved highly effective but not without side effects. It presents as an oily amber liquid with a distinctive sulfur-like odor. Exposure to Demeton can induce a range of symptoms, including breathing difficulties, dizziness, confusion, anxiety, restlessness, and irritability. In severe cases, seizures, cardiovascular collapse, loss of consciousness, multi-organ failure, and death can ensue.

Another Nerve agent that is common as an insecticide is Paraoxon. Paraoxon can be easily absorbed by the skin, and it is highly potent affecting every part of the nervous system leading to death from asphyxiation. While it is very harmful, it can be very helpful when refined and used in the right dose as an Ophthalmologic drug to prevent Glaucoma. You know the word "the poison is in the dose", it works here. Paraoxon is toxic to fetuses and can kill wildlife.

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Thallium, a chemical element discovered in 1861, serves a variety of purposes, from insecticides to rat poison, infrared detection, and nuclear testing. It is a compound of paradoxical value, boasting usefulness while harboring toxic and carcinogenic properties. Exposure to thallium can result in severe abdominal pain, vomiting, diarrhea, muscle pain, weakness, tremors, convulsions, and alterations in mental status. It has the potential to be life-threatening unless an antidote like Prussian Blue is administered promptly

The creation and application of nerve agents have undeniably revolutionized certain industries, but their dark side, particularly the dire consequences they can inflict on human health, should never be underestimated. Understanding the risks associated with these agents and using them judiciously is crucial to safeguard both human well-being and the environment. Swift and appropriate responses to nerve agent exposure, including the administration of antidotes, are essential in mitigating the life-threatening effects they can unleash.

Reference

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1037884/
https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/npg/npgd0177.html
https://oem.bmj.com/content/15/3/158
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5966299/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4407659/
https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/ershdb/emergencyresponsecard_29750026.html
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK513240/