Poison gas was first used by the French soldiers in 1914 on the Germans. The French used tear gas grenades containing xylyl bromide. Xylyl bromide is a poisonous organic chemical compound. It is colorless and has a pleasant aromatic smell. Tear gas does not kill you it has an irritating reaction. The French also used it against the Germans during the Rape of Belgium. The Germans used a gas that caused sneezing fits against the French. This gas helped Germany win the Battle of Neuve Chapelle in 1915.
Poison gases were one of the most dangerous weapons used during World War one. Hundreds of soldiers died from gases. There was not anywhere to hide from them and even crude masks did not always protect them. Victims suffered for days, weeks, or even months.
Poison gases were one of the most dangerous weapons used during World War one. Hundreds of soldiers died from gases. There was not anywhere to hide from them and even crude masks did not always protect them. Victims suffered for days, weeks, or even months.
Types of Gases Used
Mustard Gas- Mustard gas, a.k.a "Hot Stuff", gets its name from the yellowish appearance of the gas. It smells like mustard with a slight garlic smell. Mustard gas may not seem harmful at first but it slowly liquifies tissue that it comes in contact with and destroys cells and DNA.
Chlorine Gas- Chlorine Gas creates a burning sensation in the throat and chest. We use chlorine as a cleaning chemical and you should not be exposed to chlorine too much because it is dangerous.
Benzyl Bromide- irritates to skin and mucous membranes.
Chloromethyl Chloroformate- causes temporary blindness.
Hydrogen Sulfide- toxic to the nervous system and can cause cellular respiration. Smaller symtoms of being exposed to hydrogen sulfide are eye irritation, cough, nausea, sore throat, and fatigue.
Hydrogen Cyanide- depending on the concentration level, hydrogen cyanide can kill a person within a minute or up to an hour. Hydrogen cyanide stops cellular respiration creating a slow painful death. This chemical gas was used during WWII by the Germans during the Holocaust in the gas chambers.
Acrolein- irritant for the skin, eyes, and nasal passages when used in high doses. Used in cigarettes today, which leads to lung cancer and is also in French fries but the level of acrolein is a few micrograms of kilograms. Acrolein is also used in chemotherapy. If enough is in the urinary bladder and is untreated it can cause hemorrhagic cystitis.
Mustard Gas- Mustard gas, a.k.a "Hot Stuff", gets its name from the yellowish appearance of the gas. It smells like mustard with a slight garlic smell. Mustard gas may not seem harmful at first but it slowly liquifies tissue that it comes in contact with and destroys cells and DNA.
Chlorine Gas- Chlorine Gas creates a burning sensation in the throat and chest. We use chlorine as a cleaning chemical and you should not be exposed to chlorine too much because it is dangerous.
Benzyl Bromide- irritates to skin and mucous membranes.
Chloromethyl Chloroformate- causes temporary blindness.
Hydrogen Sulfide- toxic to the nervous system and can cause cellular respiration. Smaller symtoms of being exposed to hydrogen sulfide are eye irritation, cough, nausea, sore throat, and fatigue.
Hydrogen Cyanide- depending on the concentration level, hydrogen cyanide can kill a person within a minute or up to an hour. Hydrogen cyanide stops cellular respiration creating a slow painful death. This chemical gas was used during WWII by the Germans during the Holocaust in the gas chambers.
Acrolein- irritant for the skin, eyes, and nasal passages when used in high doses. Used in cigarettes today, which leads to lung cancer and is also in French fries but the level of acrolein is a few micrograms of kilograms. Acrolein is also used in chemotherapy. If enough is in the urinary bladder and is untreated it can cause hemorrhagic cystitis.