How Do Chemical Warfare Agents Affect the Human Body?
CWAs exert their toxic effects through various mechanisms:
- Nerve agents: Inhibit acetylcholinesterase, leading to an accumulation of acetylcholine, which results in continuous nerve signal transmission, causing muscle twitching, paralysis, and potentially death due to respiratory failure. - Blister agents: Cause cellular damage by alkylating DNA, proteins, and other cellular components, leading to cell death and tissue necrosis. - Blood agents: Disrupt the electron transport chain in mitochondria, preventing cellular respiration and leading to hypoxia and metabolic acidosis. - Pulmonary agents: Cause direct damage to lung tissue, leading to pulmonary edema, hemorrhage, and potentially acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). - Incapacitating agents: Affect the central nervous system, causing hallucinations, confusion, and temporary loss of motor coordination.
