ABSTRACT
A. Laboratory Scale Generation of Nerve Agent Atmospheres .................................... 235 III. Ocular Effects of Nerve Agent Vapor=Aerosol Exposure ................................................ 236 IV. Respiratory Effects of Nerve Agent Vapor=Aerosol Exposure ........................................ 238 V. Gastrointestinal Effects of Nerve Agent Aerosol Exposure ............................................. 239 VI. Other Effects following Distribution throughout the Body .............................................. 240 VII. Modeling Chemical Nerve Agent Dosage ........................................................................ 240
A. Haber’s Rule versus Toxic Load............................................................................... 240 B. Use of Animal Model Toxicity Data to Estimate Risks of Human Exposure
to Nerve Agent Atmospheres .................................................................................... 242 VIII. Summary ........................................................................................................................... 243 References ..................................................................................................................................... 244
The chemical warfare nerve agents are a class of extremely toxic chemicals developed during the period surrounding World War II. The nerve agents are cholinesterase (ChE)-inhibiting organophosphorus compounds that are related through structure and mechanism of action to pesticides, but are much more potent. Five of the most common nerve agents are tabun, sarin, soman, cyclosarin, and VX.
