ABSTRACT
This chapter presents an overview of the toxic effects associated with inhalation of a nerve agent vapor or aerosol. The chemical warfare agents are a class of extremely toxic chemicals developed during the period surrounding the World Wars and throughout the Cold War. Exposure to chemical nerve agent atmospheres leads to a myriad of toxic signs that are primarily mediated though acetylcholinesterase inhibition at target tissues. For systems that generate nerve agent vapor, the stability of the generated atmosphere can be continuously monitored by using hydrogen flame emission detection, a selective monitor for phosphorus-containing species. The toxicological effects of inhalation of nerve agent vapor into the respiratory tract can be explained by examining the physiology of the respiratory system. The human estimates for nerve agent vapor and aerosol toxicity are based on data from animal models. Most of the studies cited in the text have been used via a meta-analysis of all available data to generate human estimates of toxicity.
