INTRODUCTION
Definition.
Chemical agents which attack lung tissue, primarily causing pulmonary oedema, are classed as lung damaging agents. To this group belong phosgene (CG), diphosgene (DP), chlorine (Cl) and chloropicrin (PS). Certain other substances, while, not likely to be used as agents, are still likely to be met with on the battlefield (e.g., nitrous fumes and zinc chloride smoke in an undeliquesced state) and may have a similar action.
Similar substances encountered in fires, e.g., perfluoroisobutylene (PFIB) and HCl may also induce lung damage.
Phosgene. The toxic action of phosgene is typical of a certain group of lung damaging agents. Phosgene is the most dangerous member of this group and the only one considered likely to be used in the future. Phosgene was used for the first time in 1915, and it accounted for 80% of all chemical fatalities during World War I.
SPECIFIC CHOKING AGENTS
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