Silent but deadly, unknown but known, simple but complex. Chemicals are all around us. They are part of our daily lives, we consider them a necessity for living, but what happens when these chemicals are in an uncontrolled environment? When they are used to take a turn for the worse and become silent killing machines? Chemical weapons are defined as a chemical containing toxins that are then introduced into what is called the “delivery system” (how the chemical will be released). These delivery systems can range from a bomb to gases, liquid or even vapor. They can then cause harm to the body by reacting as a choking agent, nerve agents or blood agents. Choking agents must be inhaled for them to work, they then enter the respiratory system and begin to attack and drown the lungs. Some symptoms of exposure to a choking agent would be that your eyes would feel like they were burning and then your skin/body would start to feel the same way. Maybe in the area of ​​your face like your nose or mouth. Then you might eventually start coughing up blood with pain in your throat every time you breathe. Nerve agents take effect once you are exposed to the agent itself. This will affect your respiratory system and then start to make you feel dizzy, like you are losing consciousness. Then, if you are exposed to a high enough dose of the agent, it will begin to paralyze your muscles and soon leave you choking to death. . The symptoms of nerve agents are that you start to feel a sharp pain in your chest, then it will start to tighten and you will be uncomfortable. You may then start to feel pain in your stomach and feel nauseous. and starts vomiting. If left with UN help, it could result in death. Blood agents are inhaled and then released...... middle of paper...... Agent group, persistence action rate. (nd). Accessed November 4, 2013, from http://www.opcw.org/about-chemical-weapons/what-is-a-chemical-weapon/Blood agents. (nd). Accessed November 4, 2013, from http://www.opcw.org/protection/types-of-chemical-agent/blood-agents/ Sepkowitz, K. (August 26, 2013). Sarin, nitrogen mustard, cyanide and more: everything about chemical weapons. Accessed November 5, 2013, from http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2013/08/26/sarin-nitrogen-mustard-cyanide-more-all-about-chemical-weapons.htmlReferencesCroddy, E., Perez-Armendariz , C. and Hart, J. (2002). Chemical and biological warfare: a comprehensive investigation for the concerned citizen. New York: Copernicus. Ganesan, K., Raza, S.K. and Vijayaraghavan, R. (2010). Chemical warfare agents. Classification of CW Agents, 1. Retrieved from http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3148621/