ABSTRACT
Blood agents have been stockpiled by most countries that have pursued a chemical weapons program, and have been used a number of times on the battlefield. Enzyme cytochrome oxidase (COX)-inhibiting blood agents have been used for assassinations and also by terrorists. COX-inhibiting blood agents are compounds that produce respiratory paralysis and seizures or stop the transfer of oxygen from blood to the rest of the body by inhibiting the enzyme cytochrome oxidase. COX-inhibiting blood agents are primarily an inhalation hazard. COX-inhibiting blood agents generally do not have good warning properties. COX-inhibiting blood agents are either gases or volatile liquids. COX-inhibiting blood agents have also been adsorbed onto a solid carrier, such as pumice, to facilitate dispersal of the agent and increase their persistency after their release.
