Chemical Agents
For game purposes, a chemical agent is defined as a non-living substance which can interfere with or otherwise alter the functioning of a living organism. This page details the effects of a number of agents which are most likely to be encountered on a contemporary battlefield. The following rules cover the effects and treatment of chemical agents.

Chapter Links

• Toxification Rules
• Effects of agents: Symptoms
• Riot Control Agents
• Blood Agents
• Blister Agents
• Choking Agents
• Incapacitation Agents
• Nerve Agents
• Biological Toxins
• Defoliants

 

Toxification Rules -- Administration of Agents:
The basic unit of a chemical agent is a standard dose, which is a unit of biological effect. One standard dose of any agent is normally sufficient to induce a reaction in 80% of the human population. Increasing the number of standard doses administered will generate more advanced symptoms like coma and death, and will advance the rate of the appearance of symptoms as well. Because of the varying effectiveness of agents, the size of the standard dose changes tremendously from agent to agent.

Usually, a standard dose enters the combatant's body when he is exposed to a chemical cloud or a contaminated area. To determine the number of standard doses a combatant will take in a CW attack, index the CNC (modified for any protective measures the combatant is using -- Sec. 1.6) of the contaminated area or gas cloud at the combatant's location with the agent being used on the Chemical Agent Effects Table.

A "1" followed by a slash and a dash means that after the first minute of exposure, the combatant will take one dose and will not take another for as long as the symptoms last.

A "1" followed by a slash and another number means that the combatant will take one dose after the first minute, and will continue to take one more dose each time a number of minutes equal to the second number has elapsed, given that he remains exposed to the agent.

An unasterisked number gives the amount of standard doses an unprotected combatant will take for every minute of exposure. If the number is followed by an asterisk, then the number gives the standard doses taken every ten phases, and a number followed by a double asterisk gives the number of standard doses per phase. Note, on single or double asterisked numbers, if exposure is less than ten phases or one phase respectively, gamemasters should prorate the dosage for the actual amount of exposure time.

 

Example: Donovan suddenly finds himself in the middle of a VR-55 cloud inside a warehouse as a cannister ruptures. The gamemaster states that the entire warehouse floor is covered by a weak VR-55 cloud to a CNC of 5. At this CNC, the dosage from skin absorption is 7*, or 7 doses every ten phases. Donovan quickly runs for the exit and leaves the cloud three phases later. The gamemaster prorates the number of doses taken by Donovan's exposure for 3 phases, so Donovan suffers 3 Phases * Dosage of 7 / 10 Phases = 2.1, rounded to 2 doses.

 

Effects of Agents: Symptoms
An agent will usually progress through asymptomatic, early symptomatic, and advanced symptomatic phases. The strength of these phases and their speed of advance from one phase to the next can be altered by the number of doses taken by the combatant. If a combatant receives higher doses, the likelihood that he will progress to the next symptomatic phase is greater.

 

A combatant enters the asymptomatic phase automatically ten phases after exposure. The progress of the agent to higher phases can be stopped by making a Toxic Recovery Roll (TRR). This roll depends on the number of doses administered, the health of the target, and any treatment applied. The Base TRR is found on the Toxicity Table by indexing the level of symptoms with the number of doses administered as of a certain time.

 

Add the Base TRR to the target's current HLT level and any applicable treatment modifiers. Round the current HLT to the nearest whole number. If a 00-99 roll is less than this number, then the progress of the agent is arrested. Otherwise, the agent continues to the next phase of symptoms.

Timing:
All agents require time to work their effects. To model the time required for a chemical agent to force the appearance of advancing symptoms, a system of interval times (IT) is used. The IT is the amount of time required for the next higher level of symptoms to manifest.

 

A combatant has ten combat phases (20 seconds) before he enters the asypmtomatic phase. The total number of doses taken during these ten combat phases determines the length of the asymptomatic phase. The asymptomatic phase length is calculated by taking the Asymptomatic IT listed for each agent in the Agent Lists at the end of this section, and multiplying it by the IT Multiplier for the number of standard doses of agent administered and the method of administration. The IT multiplier is found on the Toxicity Table below.

 

Asymptomatic phase length = Asymptomatic IT * IT Multiplier

 

No symptoms appear during the asymptomatic phase. At the end of the asymptomatic phase, a TRR is rolled. If the TRR is successful, the progress of the agent is arrested and there are no further ill effects. The value for Base TRR is taken from the "Asymptom." column of the Toxicity Table and the dosage level is equal to the total number of doses taken up to the end of the asymptomatic phase.

Because of the lack of symptoms, a medic will be unable to make a diagnosis as to the agent. However, medics can initiate a treatment if circumstances indicate the nature of the agent.

 

Example: Donovan (HLT = 14) has taken two doses of VR-55, a nerve agent, in ten phases of exposure. The length of the asymptomatic period is 10 phases * 0.7 for an inhaled method of administration = 7 phases. Seven phases after the ten phase "grace period," Donovan must roll a TRR to avoid having his symptoms progress to the early symptomatic phase. His TRR = Base TRR of -16 + HLT of 14 + Treatment Modifiers (none yet, so zero) for a TRR of -2. Donovan automatically proceeds to the next stage of symptoms.

 

If the first TRR is failed, then the victim enters the early symptomatic phase at the end of the asymptomatic phase. The early symptomatic phase lasts a length of time equal to the Early Symptomatic IT multiplied by the IT multiplier for the total number of doses taken up to the end of the asymptomatic phase. During the early symptomatic phase, the combatant suffers the effects listed under the Early Symptoms field of the agent listing.

At the end of the early symptomatic phase, the combatant makes another TRR. Success in this TRR means that the progress of the agent is arrested and will remain at the early symptoms level of effect until the end of the early symptomatic phase. The victim will then suffer a debility for the listed Healing Time (HT). Failure of this TRR means that symptoms advance to the advanced symptoms level. Note that the Base TRR value is taken from the "Early" column of the Toxicity Table. The dosage level is

equal to the total number of doses taken up to the end of the early symptomatic phase.

 

Example: Donovan is now showing early symptoms and normally would continue to do so for (7 * IT mult of 0.7 = 4.9 minutes). But, at the start of this phase, he treats himself with atropine and diazepam from an autoinjector and automatically becomes incapac- itated from the atropine/diazepam effects. However, the atropine allows him to avoid the effects of the VR-55 for the duration of the early symptomatic phase. The atropine extends this phase for 4 hours, so four hours, 4.9 minutes later, Donovan makes his second TRR at Base of 6 + HLT of 20 + Treatment modifier of 20 = 46. Donovan rolls a 79 and fails, so he goes to the advanced symptomatic phase.

 

If the second TRR is failed, then the toxicity advances to the advanced symptomatic phase at the end of the early symptomatic phase. The victim still suffers the early symptoms and suffers the advanced symptoms in addition. These symptoms last for the amount of time in brackets multiplied by the IT multiplier with the dosage level being equal to the total number of doses taken up to the end of the early symptomatic phase.

At the end of the advanced symptomatic phase, the victim makes a final TRR. Success in this TRR means that the progress of the agent is arrested and will remain at the advanced symptoms level of effect until the end of the advanced symptomatic phase. The victim will then suffer a debility for the listed Healing Time (HT). Failure of this TRR means that the victim succumbs to the agent and dies. Note that the Base TRR value is taken from the "Advanced" column of the Toxicity Table and the dosage level is equal to the total number of doses taken up up to the end of the advanced symptomatic phase.

 

Example: Donovan has suffered through the early symptoms and his symptoms would normally get worse to include all the early symptoms as well as the advanced symptoms. He has also been med-evacked to a hospital facility where they have atropinized him and are treating him with nerve gas antidotes called reactivators. It is the atropine that allows him to avoid the convulsions and paralysis associated with the advanced symptomatic phase of VR-55. With the constant atropinization at the hospital, Donovan could extend the advanced symptomatic phase for up to 72 hours plus the allowed time for the phase, which is: (15 + (random roll of 7) = 22 minutes) * IT multiplier of 0.7 = 15.4 minutes.

With the consent of the gamemaster, Donovan quick-time role plays through his treatment at the hospital and makes his final TRR. He needs to roll: Base of 49 + HLT of 14 + Treatment Modifiers of (30 for relieve symptoms (atropine) + 5 for the antidote) = 98. Donovan rolls 34 and survives. He will now be debilitated for 28 days as he heals from his exposure.

If the victim survives the agent after undergoing either the early or advanced symptomatic phases, then the victim suffers a debility for the listed healing time. This debility manifests itself by making the character fatigued. Also, if the character suffered physical damage in the administration of the agent, then the injured areas remain painful.

TOXICITY TABLE

 

Standard		Base TRR		IT Mult.
Doses	Asympt	Early	Advanced	Inh/Inj	SkA	Ing
1	11	36	88	1	1	1
2	-16	6	49	0.7	0.9	0.9
3	-32	-11	26	0.6	0.8	0.9
4	-43	-24	10	0.5	0.7	0.9
5	-52	-33	-3	0.4	0.7	0.8
6	-59	-41	-13	0.4	0.6	0.8
8	-70	-54	-29	0.4	0.5	0.8
10	-79	-64	-42	0.3	0.5	0.8
12	-86	-71	-52	0.3	0.5	0.8
14	-92	-78	-61	0.3	0.4	0.8
17	-100	-87	-72	0.2	0.4	0.8
20	-106	-94	-81	0.2	0.3	0.7
24	-113	-102	-91	0.2	0.3	0.7
30	Auto	-111	-104	0.1	0.3	0.7
36	Auto	-119	-114	0.1	0.2	0.7
42+	Auto	Auto	Auto	0.1	0.2	0.7

Notes:

Inh/Inj -- Inhaled/Injected method of administration. Agent enters the bloodstream directly or through the lungs.

SkA -- Skin absorption. The agent enters the bloodstream by passing through the combatant's skin. If the combatant is not wearing a gas mask and is inhaling the agent, then treat the method of administration as being inhaled/injected.

Ing -- Ingested method of administration. The agent enters the bloodstream through the stomach. Not used in CBW warfare.

 

Treatment of Agents:

Treatment modifiers are given in parenthesis for the Asymptomatic / Early Symptomatic / Advanced Symptomatic phases respectively.

 

 

Antidote (40/20/5) Antidotes are a program of pharmacueticals which neutralize the agent. They must be manufactured in medical labs of Tech Level 13 or higher and are agent specific. Very few agents have specific antidotes. An example of antidote therapy is the reactivator treatment of nerve agents.

 

Decontamination (40/30/10) Decontamination is the use of special chemicals to neutralize and remove contaminants from the skin surface. This method is only effective against agents which attack the skin or are absorbed through it. Included in this category is the decontaminating ointment used to soothe the effects of mustard gas poisoning.

 

Relieve Symptoms (0/20/30) This is the use of pharmacueticals or physical means to alleviate the victims pain and control his symptoms. For some of the more psychoactive agents, it also involves reducing external stimuli. Also, some agents which produce respiratory difficulty will require oxygen to be given to the victim. The atropine autoinjector therapy for nerve agent poisoning also falls into this category.

 

Washing (30/15/5) Washing is the use of water or other liquid to remove chemical agents from the skin surface. This method is effective against agents which either attack the skin or are absorbed through it.

 

Riot Control Agents
Riot control agents are low-lethality chemicals designed to cause extremely irritating symptoms in targeted personnel. Their primary use is the control of people in situations where the users are not averse to causing pain and other irritation to those people. The pain and irritation is so great that those exposed will attempt to leave the area where the agent was dispersed.

As the name suggests, riot control agents are commonly used to disperse rioting mobs of people and drive them away from crucial areas or riot control personnel. They are also used by civil authorities to drive criminals or other people out of buildings or shelters or away from behind barricades.

Riot control agents are broken down into lachrymators (causing tears), sternutators (causing sneezing), orticants (causing itching), and vomiting agents. Lachrymators and vomiting agents are the most common. Lachrymators are designed to cause sufficient pain and irritation to force people to leave an area. The harsher vomiting agents are designed to incapacitate. Both can kill in sufficient dosage. The most common types of riot control agents are described below.

 

Designation: CA

Common Name: Camite
Chemical Name: Brombenzylcyanide
Toxic by: Inhalation
Odor: Sour Fruit
Persistent: No.
Asymptomatic Period: 5 phases.
Early Symptoms [15 Minutes]: Irritation of eyes and mucous
membranes, causing tears and nausea. Retching. Vomit-
ing. Tightness in the chest and possible swelling of
lung tissues. Involuntary blinking.
Advanced Symptoms [20 Minutes]: Incapacitation. Possible
damage to eyes, mucous membranes, and lungs.
Treatment: Remove from exposure. Wash. Relieve symptoms.
HT: 3 days
Notes: Lachrymator. CA is a highly potent irritant, causing
effects which are much more severe than other lachrymators. It
is not very common due to its potency.

 

Designation: CN

Common Name:Tear Gas / CAP
Chemical Name: Chloracetophenone
Toxic by: Inhalation
Odor: Apple Blossoms
Persistent: No. However, this can be absorbed by fabrics in the area and anyone touching these fabrics will be attacked at CNC = 1 until the agent is removed by cleaning.
Asymptomatic Period: 5 Phases
Early Symptoms [15 Minutes]: Severe irritation of the eyes and mucous membranes, causing tears and nausea. Severe irritation of the upper respiratory tract, causing secretion of saliva and mucous. Coughing. Involuntary blinking.
Advanced Symptoms [15 Minutes]: Pain in lungs. Retching. Vomiting. Incapacitation. Possible damage to lungs, possible damage to kidneys.
Treatment: Remove from exposure. Wash. Relieve symptoms.
HT: 1 Day
Notes: Lachrymator. CN is a very common formulation of tear gas, although it has for the most part been supplanted in use by CS. It is designed as a very low-lethality crowd control agent and can still be found in the inventories of North
American and Western European police departments. It has been inventoried by US military and police and other authorities since 1918, and it was supplied to ARVN forces (along with CS and DM) by the US government during the Vietnam war. It is currently being marketed as a personal defence aerosol.

 

Designation: CS

Common Name: Tear Gas / Pepper Gas
Chemical Name: Orthochlorbenzalmalononitrile
Toxic by: Inhalation
Odor: Pepper
Persistent: No. However, this can be absorbed by fabrics and anyone touching these fabrics will be attacked at CNC = 1 until the agent is removed by cleaning.
Asymptomatic Period: 2 Phases
Early Symptoms [15 Minutes]: Burning Pain and tearing of the eyes. Involuntary blinking. Runny Nose. Coughing. Nausea.
Advanced Symptoms [15 Minutes]: Vomiting. Retching. Incapacitation. Possible lung and kidney damage.
Treatment: Remove from exposure. Wash. Relieve symptoms.
HT: 1 Day.
Notes: Lachrymator. CS was first developed in 1928 and has become the most common riot control agent in North America and Europe. It is much more potent and faster acting than CN or CA, but is supposedly less lethal. This agent can be found in a wide variety of delivery systems in a vast number of police and military forces and is even marketed as a personal defence aerosol.

 

Designation: DA

Common Name: None
Chemical Name: Diphenylchlorarsine
Toxic by: Inhalation
Odor: Pepper.
Persistent: No.
Asymptomatic Period: 14 + (6) Minutes
Early Symptoms [30 Minutes]: Intense burning pain in nose and throat. Tightness and pain in the chest. Uncontrollable coughing and sneezing. Runny nose and thick saliva in mouth. Giddiness. Faintness.
Advanced Symptoms [2 Hours]: Nausea. Vomiting. Incapacitation. Possible mental depression.
Treatment: Remove from exposure. Wash. Relieve symptoms.
HT: 1 Day.
Notes: Vomiting Agent. First developed in World War I, it has mainly been supplanted by DM, which is easier to prepare and just as potent. It is used as a severe riot control agent in situations where deaths among the targets are acceptable. This is normally dispersed in a white smokescreen, but it is
colorless on dilution with air.

 

Designation: DM

Common Name: Adamsite
Chemical Name: 10 cloro-5, 10 dihydrochlorphenarsazine
Toxic by: Inhalation
Odor: Pepper
Persistent: No.
Asymptomatic Period: 14 + (6) Minutes
Early Symptoms [15 Minutes]: Intense burning pain in nose and throat. Tightness and pain in the chest. Uncontrollable coughing and sneezing. Runny nose and thick saliva in mouth. Giddiness. Faintness.
Advanced Symptoms [2 Hours]: Nausea. Vomiting. Incapacitation. Possible mental depression.
Treatment: Remove from exposure. Wash. Relieve symptoms.
HT: 1 Day
Notes: Vomiting Agent. This agent is the preferred crowd control agent of the Soviet Union and it has replaced DA in most inventories. It is a highly potent, and is used as a severe riot-control agent where deaths among the targets are acceptable. It was used in Vietnam against tunnel complexes. In such confined areas, the concentrations can become highly lethal. This agent is normally dispersed in a yellow smokescreen, but is colorless on dilution with air.

 

Designation: CN/DM mixture

Common Name: "Super" Tear Gas
Chemical Name: See individual entries.
Toxic by: Inhalation
Odor: Pepper/Appleblossoms
Persistent: No.
Asymptomatic Period: 5 phases
Early Symptoms [30 Minutes]: Severe burning pain in eyes and throat. Tearing of eyes and runny nose. Tightness and pain in the chest. Nausea. Uncontrollable coughing and sneezing. Thick saliva. Incapacitation after 15 minutes. Giddiness.
Advanced Symptoms [2 Hours]: Vomiting. Possible mental depression.
Treatment: Remove from exposure. Wash. Relieve symptoms.
HT: 1 Day
Notes: This is a combination of CN and DM and was used by American forces in Vietnam. It is still in use by military forces. This is an extremely severe crowd control agent and the combined agents are more effective and more lethal than
each agent individually. It is not intended as a crowd control agent unless deaths and other injuries are acceptable. Because of this, it has been relegated to counterinsurgency use.

 

Blood Agents
Blood agents are a legacy from World War I, where they were used extensively. They proved very difficult to handle as some were unable to be properly dispersed and all were able to penetrate the gas masks of the day. At CNCs greater than 7, they will penetrate all modern gas masks (attack at CNC minus 6), and at a CNC greater than 10, they will penetrate any air filtration system (attack at CNC minus 9). Only special filters which are proof against these agents will keep them from penetrating. Although blood agents are not stockpiled to the same extent as nerve agents and others, they are still considered potential CW weapons by all militaries.
Blood agents work by interfering with the oxygen circulation in the bloodstream. They also paralyze the respiratory centre in the brain and force the circulatory system to fail. The victim dies quite suddenly of asphyxiation and circulatory failure.

 

Designation: AC

Common Name: Prussic Acid
Chemical Name: Hydrogen Cyanide / Hydrocyanic Acid
Toxic by: Inhalation
Odor: Very faint scent of Peach Pits or Bitter almonds.
Persistent: No.
Asymptomatic Period: 10 minutes
Early Symptoms [10 Minutes]: Uneasiness. Vertigo. Deep, heavy breathing. Nausea. Headaches. Uncontrollable blinking.
Advanced Symptoms [10 Minutes]: Unconciousness. Convulsions.
Treatment: Antidote. Relieve symptoms.
HT: 5 Days.
Notes: This was used by the French forces against the Germans to surprisingly little effect in World War I. However, the formula has been improved since then to make this agent highly lethal. In sufficient concentrations, death is almost
immediate. Low concentrations have little aftereffect on survivors, while very high concentrations may cause permanent mental damage because of the oxygen-blocking action. This may manifest as irrationality, diminished reflexes, and unsteadiness that may last for weeks or years.

 

Designation:CK

Common Name: None
Chemical Name: Cyanogen Chloride
Toxic by: Inhalation
Odor: Pungent, biting odor
Persistent: No.
Asymptomatic Period: 5 Minutes.
Early Symptoms [10 Minutes]: Immediate, intense irritation of the eyes, nose, and throat. Tears produced. Coughing. Tightness in the chest. Dizziness.
Advanced Symptoms [20 Minutes]: Unconciousness. Convulsions, retching. Involuntary urination and defecation.
Treatment: Antidote. Relieve symptoms.
HT: 7 Days. Survivors may have chest pains, persistent cough, severely labored breathing, and cyanosis (blue skin resulting from a lack of oxygen. Normally mani-
festing around the fingernails.)
Notes: This lethal agent is unlikely to be used in warfare because the strong irritant action gives warning to the targets that they are under CW attack. Nevertheless, the agent is stockpiled. Like AC, the potential exists for permanent
mental damage due to the oxygen-blocking action.

 

Blister Agents

Blister agents, or vesicants, have a characteristic action by causing blistering or burns, and thus destruction, of any contacted animal cells. Skin contact causes these characteristic and painful blisters and burns to develop a few hours following exposure. A similar process happens with eye contact, and the blistering and irritation can lead to a temporary blindness or permanent eye damage. If the blister agent is inhaled, the sensitive tissues in the respiratory tract and lungs are attacked and blistered, leading to fluid in the lungs and death. Finally, ingestion of the blister agent, through eating of contaminated food or drinking of contaminated water, can lead to a slow poisoning of the victim. In order to remain unaffected in a blister agent attack, the combatant must be wearing the full NBC coverall (including a gas mask) or be housed in an NBC-shielded vehicle or building. Avoiding any contact at all with the agent is imperative.

As a guideline, the effects can be classified as skin, eye, respiratory, and intestinal effects. A person without any protection will be exposed to skin, eye, and respiratory effects. A person wearing a coverall, but without a gas mask will also be exposed to eye and respiratory effects, but skin effects will be limited to a smaller area. A person wearing a gas mask, but no coverall, would be exposed to skin effects only, but over much of his body. Finally, a person would be exposed to intestinal effects only if he ate or drank contaminated food or liquid. The various symptoms for each effects class are listed separately in each entry. Gamemasters should determine which effects apply to each casualty and administer those effects at the appropriate time.

 

Skin Contact:
The amount of damage caused by the blister agents in skin contact will vary according to the amount of exposed skin. Each entry will provide a PD value for each percent of skin contacted. This is the amount of PD each character suffers from burns for each 1% of skin surface contacted by the blister agent. So, if a character suffered mustard gas burns to one hand, he would take 2% * 4PD or 8 PD. The following table provides a list of skin areas and their relative percentages.

 

Body Part Skin Percentage
Face 3%
Rest of Head & Neck 6%
Front Torso 18%
Back Torso 18%
Groin/Genitals 1%
Each Arm (Front & Back) 7%
Each Hand (Front & Back) 2%
Each Leg (Front & Back) 7%
Each Foot (Front & Back) 2%

 

A tear or bullet-sized hole in the CBW coverall or mask will expose roughly 1% of skin per tear. The gamemasters should adjust this upwards for larger tears.

 

Background:
Blister agents consist primarily of the mustard gas group of chemicals, which were first synthesized in 1859, and saw widespread use in World War I, although the effects were limited by the delivery systems used. With the improvement in delivery systems since World War I, mustard gas has become much more dangerous to combatants and has remained in several nation's inventories. In fact, it was used as late as 1985 by Iraq in the Iran-Iraq war and Iraq has continued to threaten to use it against its enemies in the Persian Gulf region.

As evidenced by Iraqi actions, blister agents remain likely to be used in a future conflict. They can be dispersed from shells and by aerial spraying, and their persistence means that they can continue killing for weeks after the initial attack.

Persistence is a special feature of blister agents. Blister agents are dispersed in the form of liquid, which soaks the ground and targets in the area. The liquid will evaporate over time and is not completely neutralized until it has evaporated. The liquid can also be captured by soil and plants and prevented from evaporation. In the Argonne region, the plants and soil still retain concentrations of mustard gas fired in German shells during the later years of World War I. Careless civilians in the area are still burned by the mustard gas laid down more than seventy years ago.

 

Designation:HD or H

Common Name: Mustard Gas / Distilled Mustard / Sulphur Mustard
Chemical Name: Bis (2-chloroethyl) sulphide
Toxic by: Skin Absorption or Ingestion.
Odor: Garlic or horseradish (faint)
Persistent: Yes. PM = 1.5
Asymptomatic Period: 3 + (6) Hours
Early Symptoms: [10+(5) Hours]
Eyes: The eyes begin tearing and feel gritty. This is followed by minor swelling of the eye surface.
Skin: The skin surface turns red, resembling a sunburn in appearance and pain. This is followed in the latter half of the early symptomatic phase by the formation of large, extremely painful blisters.
Blisters are the worst in damp, moist areas of the skin, such as armpits, genitals, and folds of the skin. The casualty takes 4 PD for each percent of skin exposed upon formation of the blisters.
Respiratory: Cough and hoarseness which may develop to loss of voice. Increased mucous production in throat and lungs.
Intestinal: Abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea.
Advanced Symptoms: [1+(2) Days]
Eyes: Severe blistering and pain which will result in temporary obstruction of vision during this phase. Some destruction of eye tissues and further swelling may occur. Eyes will be very sensitive to light. If the eyes have been exposed, a failed TRR
at the end of this phase will mean vision impairment for 3 + (3) months. A person will never die as a result of only having the eyes contacted by mustard gas.
Skin: Severe blistering with some destruction of skin. Also malaise, vomiting, and fever will occur and may advance to heart irregularities and cerebral depression. A
failed TRR at the end of this period means the casualty dies.
Respiratory: Fever, labored and noisy breathing, and the possible development of fluid in and inflammation of the lungs. A failed TRR at the end ofthis period means the casualty dies.
Intestinal:[1+(2) Days]: Fever, malaise, and vomiting which may advance to heart irregularities and cerebral depression. A failed TRR at the end of this period means the casualty dies.
Treatment: Decontamination or Washing. Relieve Symptoms.Antidote.
HT: Special. Skin injuries heal slowly, so take total PD of skin injuries and determine HT from the Medical Aid and Recovery Table (5A) of Phoenix Command, and multiply that HT by 5. Other effects will usually heal in 3+(3) weeks.
Notes: Vesicant. H (Mustard) and HD (Distilled Mustard) are part of the sulphurous mustard family and remain quite common among various militaries. They are likely to be used in a future war involving CW weapons.
Both H and HD are almost indistiguishable in effect from one another. H is an earlier formulation which was used in World War I and stockpiled in World War II as HT, a 60/40 mixture of H and T. HD is the formula currently stockpiled by most
CW-capable militaries.
Repeated exposures are cumulative if they occur during the symptomatic time.

Gamemasters should use the HD and H entry to determine the effects of Q and T. The symptoms of Q and T are identical to HD and H. Q is the designation for sesqui mustard (1,2 Bis (2-chloroethylthio) ethane). T has no common name, but is 1,2 Bis (2-chloroethylthioethyl) ether. Both of these are more potent than HD or H, and these may be stockpiled. There is no evidence to indicate the extent of stockpiling of Q and T, but it is suspected that they are less common than HD or H.

 

Designation:HN

Common Name: Nitrogen Mustard
Chemical Name: Tris (2-chloroethyl) amine
Toxic by: Skin Absorption or Ingestion.
Odor: Fish (faint), or odorless
Persistent: Yes. PM = 1.5
Asymptomatic Period: (3) * 20 Minutes
Early Symptoms: [10+(5) Hours]
Eyes: The eyes begin tearing and feel gritty. This is followed by minor swelling of the eye surface.
Skin: The skin surface turns red, resembling a sunburn in appearance and pain. This is followed in the latter half of the early symptomatic phase by the formation of large, extremely painful blisters. The casualty takes 4 PD for each percent of skin
exposed upon formation of the blisters.
Respiratory: Cough and hoarseness which may develop to loss of voice. Increased mucous production in throat and lungs.
Intestinal: Abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea.
Advanced Symptoms: [1+(2) Days]
Eyes: Severe blistering and pain which will result in temporary obstruction of vision during this phase. Some destruction of eye tissues and further swelling may occur. Eyes will be very sensitive to light. If the eyes have been exposed, a failed TRR at the end of this phase will mean vision impairment for 3 + (3) months. A person will never die as a result of only having the eyes contacted by mustard gas.
Skin: Severe blistering with some destruction of skin. Also malaise, vomiting, and fever will occur and may advance to heart irregularities and cerebral depression. Also, blood and lymph tissues are affected, and may progress to anemia. A failed TRR at the end of this period means the casualty dies.
Respiratory: Fever, labored and noisy breathing, and the possible development of fluid in and inflammation of the lungs. Also, blood and lymph tissues are affected, and may progess to anemia. A failed TRR at the end of this period means the casualty dies.
Intestinal: Fever, malaise, and vomiting which may advance to heart irregularities and cerebral depression. A failed TRR at the end of this period means the casualty dies.
Treatment: Decontamination or Washing. Relieve Symptoms. Antidote.
HT: Special. Skin injuries heal slowly, so take total PD of skin injuries and determine HT from the Medical Aid and Recovery Table (5A) of Phoenix Command, and multiply that HT by 5. Other effects will usually heal in 3+(3) weeks.
Notes: Vesicant. HN-1, HN-2, and HN-3 are variations on the nitrogen mustard formulation. They are faster acting than the sulphur mustards and generally produce similar effects to the sulphur mustards. Nitrogen mustards, for unclear reasons, also have certain effects on the blood and white blood cells. Although stockpiled during World War II, the HN series of agents is not expected to be encountered on a modern battlefield.

 

Designation:CX

Common Name: Phosgene Oxime
Chemical Name: Dichloroformoxime
Toxic by: Skin Contact
Persistent: Yes. PM=1
Odor: Very disagreeable, penetrating odor.
Asymptomatic Period: 10+(5) Phases
Early Symptoms: [30 Minutes]: Extreme, stinging pain in contacted areas, causing 2 PD per skin percentage contacted. Tearing of eyes. Contacted areas form welts. If inhaled, then similar pains encountered in respiratory tract.
Advanced Symptoms: [36 Hours]: Welts develop into blisters, causing a further 2 PD per skin percentage contacted. Swelling in lungs starts, followed by nausea. Overall cyanosis followed by difficulty breathing. Breathing is noisy, and a white or yellow froth may fill the lungs.
Treatment: Wash. Relieve Symptoms
HT: 2 Months, with persistent itching and scarring of contaminated areas.
Notes: Vesicant/Choking Agent. CX is often referred to as a nettle gas, because of its highly painful method of skin attack, likened to "being thrown into a bed of stinging nettles." CX also has the asphyxiating effect of phosgene gas in higher concentrations. CX was first considered in the 1930s by the Germans, and is said to have been stockpiled by the Soviets during World War II. The extreme pain associated with contact means that this agent would not be used on a modern
battlefield, where a more insidious, non-irritating method is preferred to maximize exposure and casualties. It could be used in the counter-insurgency role, where the irritation would actually help in incapacitating guerrilla forces. Whether CX is presently stockpiled is unknown.

 

Arsenical vesicants are uncommon. They work as a systemic poison by penetrating the skin and causing arsenic-like symptoms.

 

Designation:ED

Common Name: The Dicks
Chemical Name: Ethyldichlorarsine
Toxic by: Skin Absorption
Persistent: Yes. PM = 0.1
Odor: Fruity smell.
Asymptomatic Period: 10 Phases
Early Symptoms [24 Hours]: Itching and irritation of the skin along with the development of painful blisters. Skin turns a dead grey in exposed areas. If the eyes are exposed, they will also be irritated and will close due to swelling in the first hour. If inhaled, then coughing and hoarseness, along with pain in the respiratory tract appears. 3 PD for percentage of exposed skin.
Advanced Symptoms [48 Hours]: Symptoms persist, with pain slowly fading. Symptoms include shock (cold skin and cyanosis resulting from improper blood flow), diarrhea, restlessness, weakness, and subnormal temperature.
Treatment: Decontamination or Wash. Relieve Symptoms. Antidote.
HT: 5 Days. Skin blisters and burns take normal PD HT * 5 to
heal.
Notes: Arsenical Vesicant. ED was developed by the Germans in World War I. It is unlikely to be stockpiled or used in a future conflict. ED is listed in reference sources as being persistent, but on the order of 2-3 hours, making it almost
useless for area denial. Also, water degrades the effectiveness of ED, making the agent effectively non-persistent in moist climates, and useless in rainy weather.

 

Designation:L

Common Name: Lewisite
Chemical Name: Chlorvinyl Dichlorarsine
Toxic by: Skin Absorption
Persistent: Yes. PM = 1.
Odor: Sharp smell of Geraniums
Asymptomatic Period: 10 Phases
Early Symptoms [24 Hours]: Stinging and itching of the skin along with the development of painful blisters.Blisters cause 5 PD for each percentage of exposed
skin. Skin turns a dead grey in exposed areas. If the eyes are exposed, they will also be irritated and will close due to swelling of the lids in the first hour. If
inhaled, then coughing and hoarseness, along with pain in the respiratory tract appears--similar to riot control agents.
Advanced Symptoms [36 Hours]: Symptoms persist, with pain slowly fading. Symptoms include shock (cold skin and cyanosis resulting from improper blood flow), diarrhea, restlessness, weakness, and subnormal temperature.

Treatment: Decontamination or Wash. Relieve Symptoms. Anti-
dote.
HT: 5 Days. Skin blisters and burns take normal PD HT * 5 to heal. Note, in large concentrations, permanent eye damage can occur if the eyes have been exposed.
Notes: Arsenical Vesicant. Lewisite is very similar in effects to ED and has similar weaknesses. L has substantially reduced effectiveness in moist climates and rainy weather. It was developed by the Americans in the later part of World War I but never used in that conflict. During World War II, an antidote cream was developed: British Anti-Lewisite or 2,3,dimercaptopropanol, more commpnoly called BAL. BAL is also effective against ED. Lewisite is still stockpiled by some minor CW-capable militaries, and it was used by Iraq in the Iran-Iraq war.

 

Choking Agents
Choking agents were developed in World War I, and were some of the most lethal agents used in that war. However, over time, they have been supplanted by other, more potent agents so they are very rarely stockpiled. They are not expected to be used on the battlefield, and are easy to counter with contemporary gas masks and filtration systems.
Choking agents work on the respiratory tract of a combatant by destroying its ability to transfer oxygen to the blood. Some even work by destroying the respiratory tract itself. The end result is that the exposed combatant asphyxiates.

 

Designation:CL

Common Name: Chlorine Gas
Chemical Name: Chlorine
Toxic by: Inhalation
Persistent: No.
Odor: Smell of bleach.
Asymptomatic Period: 10 Phases
Early Symptoms [(4) Hours]: Coughing and tearing. Strong burning and irritation of the respiratory tract. Pain in chest and difficulty breathing.
Advanced Symptoms [(3) Days]: Symptoms grow worse. Drowsiness. Skin takes on a bluish or greyish cast cyanosis (lack of oxygen). Lungs expel a frothy yellow-pinkish fluid as lung alveoli are ruptured. Rapid, shallow breathing. Blood thickens, causing heart difficulty.
Treatment: Remove from exposure. Rest. Relieve Symptoms.
HT: 4 Days. During healing, respiratory symptoms will
continue, but diminish with time.
Notes: Chlorine was the first gas used by the Germans in World War I. It remained in use for a short time until the Allied powers were able to develop effective mask filters to counter the effects. Presently, Chlorine is not stockpiled by any CW-capable nation and is not expected to be used in any future conflict. This does not mean that it could not be used in a terrorist or low-intensity conflict as an expedient terror weapon.
Chlorine is dispersed in a pale yellow-green cloud and can be released through groundburst explosions, aerial spraying, or cylinders. Effective protection is provided by any gas mask developed after 1915.

Designation:PS

Common Name: Chlorpicrin
Chemical Name: Chlorpicrin.
Toxic by: Inhalation.
Persistent: No.
Odor: Pungent odor.
Asymptomatic Period: 5 + (3) Minutes
Early Symptoms [4 Hours]: Coughing and tearing. Strong burning and irritation of the respiratory tract. Pain in chest and difficulty breathing.
Advanced Symptoms [(3) Days]: Symptoms grow worse. Drowsiness. Skin takes on a bluish or greyish cast from lack of oxygen. Lungs expel a frothy yellow-pinkish fluid as lung alveoli are ruptured. Rapid, shallow breathing. Blood thickens, causing heart difficulty.

Treatment: Remove from exposure. Rest. Relieve Symptoms.
HT: 5 Days
Notes: Chlorpicrin is an obscure agent which was developed in World War I and kept available in World War II. It is not expected to be presently stockpiled by any nation. Chlorpicrin has the strongest irritant action of any of the choking agents and is noted as a strong lachrymator. It is also noted for its cumulative action of progressively increasing susceptibility. Gamemasters may wish to reduce a
combatant's TRR roll by (5) percentiles for each previous exposure within the prior month.

 

Designation:CG

Common Name: Phosgene
Chemical Name: Phosgene Carbonyl Chloride
Toxic by: Inhalation
Persistent: No
Odor: Strong odor of musty or new-mown hay or grass.
Asymptomatic Period: (10) Minutes
Early Symptoms [20 Minutes]: There may appear coughing, tearing, nausea, headache, a feeling of tightness in the chest, and possibly vomiting. This is then followed by a latent period of NO SYMPTOMS for another 2 * (10) Hours.
Advanced Symptoms [2 * (10) Hours]: Rapid shallow breathing, painful cough, and blue or grey cyanosis. This may be accompanied by nausea and vomiting. These symptoms advance to include discomfort and apprehension. A frothy
yellow liquid is expelled from the lungs and breathing becomes labored and noisy.
Treatment: Remove from exposure. Rest. Relieve symptoms.
HT: 7 Days
Notes: Phosgene gas was the most lethal gas to be developed and used during World War I. It was even stockpiled during World War II and was allegedly used in by Egyptian forces in their intervention in Yemen. It may still be stockpiled by
minor CW-capable nations, but is not expected to be used in any future conflict.
Phosgene's main action is to force oedema, or fluid, into the lungs. The oedema is expelled through the nose and mouth through coughing as a frothy yellowish sputum. Much of the oedema is drawn from the blood, which causes the blood to
thicken (haemoconcentration), making it harder to circulate. The haemoconcentration and poor oxygen transfer caused by the oedema in the lungs causes asphyxiation and can lead to heart failure.

 

Incapacitating Agents
Incapacitating agents are obscure chemicals designed to render troops unable to fight without causing physical harm. Not surprisingly, they were developed as a humane method of warfare and were to be used to make enemy troops unable to fight, thus allowing the user the ability to conquer the enemy without causing or sustaining casualties.

These agents are divided into physical incapacitants, which cause unconciousness, and psychotomimetric agents, which cause temporary mental disturbances such as hallucinations, memory lapses, and unpredictable or maniacal behavior. They are often referred to as "on the floor" or "off the rocker" agents respectively.

These first development work of these agents was done by the United States in the 1950s and 1960s under a chemical development program which focussed on psychotomimetric agents. After years of testing and even stockpiling an agent called BZ, the United States dropped the program in the 1970s. The psychotomimetric agents examined lead to highly unpredictable behavior. Such behavior is undesirable in military situations. While under the effects of the gas, enemy troops could just as easily curl up in fetal positions or launch frantic, berserker-style attacks, made even more dangerous if the enemy commands weapons of mass destruction.

There have been allegations that the Soviet Union has recently developed and employed a physical incapacitant called Blue-X, which is designed to knock out enemy troops. Blue-X has allegedly been used by Soviet Forces in Afghanistan and by Vietnamese forces in Cambodia. These reports remain unconfirmed as of this writing.

 

Designation:BZ

Common Name: Buzz
Chemical Name: Unknown
Toxic by: Inhalation or Injection.
Persistent: No
Odor: None
Asymptomatic Period: 3 * (10) Minutes
Early Symptoms [4 Hours]: Parched nose, mouth and throat. Dry, flushed skin. Headaches, vomiting, blurred vision, and dizziness. Interference with ordinary functioning manifesting in an aimless stumbling and slurred voice or incoherent mumbling. Slowing of physical and mental activity. May be giddiness or drowsiness.
Advanced Symptoms [4 Hours]: Disorientation, visual and auditory hallucinations, and lost memory. Strange behavior may manifest with the causalty behaving maniacally or docily and with the behavior altering unpredictably. Body temperature rises.
Treatment: Relieve symptoms. Rest. Antidote (?).
HT: 4 Days. Unpredictable behavior continues during this
time but gradually diminishes.
Notes: Psychotomimetric Incapacitant. BZ is a mysterious chemical developed by the United States in the 1950s and 1960s and stockpiled until the 1970s. It was never used and is not expected to be used in any future conflict. The unpredictable
nature of BZ casualties made the agent useless except in very limited circumstances, such as counterinsurgency warfare. The effect of BZ is to interfere with the normal mental functioning of the combatant by causing hallucinations and
disorientation, not unlike the effects of popular narcotics. The combatant is effectively placed in a bizarre "dreamworld" and may or may not interact with reality. In all cases, there is no way of determining exactly how he will react. Rational thought processes do not apply. One moment, the casualty may be screaming in terror and the next he may be giggling sporadically while firing at any targets including foliage and friendly troops. Even worse, he may fully realize what he is doing and still do it because it makes him happy at the moment. Combatants taking the same dosage are expected to react in radically different ways. The nature of these bizarre effects led many people to believe that BZ was narcotic in origin, such as an LSD deriviative. However, it is more likely a glycollate, such as
the quinuclidinol glycollates or the N-methyl 3-hydroxypiperidyl glycollates. The exact formulation has never been disclosed by the United States. If it is a piperidyl
glycollate, then an antidote such as 1,2,3,4, tetrahydro-9-amino acridine may be applicable. It is not known if the United States has developed or stockpiled any sort of antidote. No other nations are expected to possess BZ.

Designation:Blue-X

Common Name: Blue-X
Chemical Name: Unknown
Toxic by: Inhalation
Persistent: No
Odor: None
Asymptomatic Period: (10) Minutes
Early Symptoms [(4) Hours]: Unconciousness.
Advanced Symptoms [3 + (3) Hours]: Continued, with possible development of Central Nervous System--manifesting as slowed heart rate and shallow breathing, both of which worsen as the patient gets closer to death.
Treatment: Relieve symptoms.
HT: 1 Day
Notes: Physical Incapacitant. Blue-X has allegedly been developed and used by the Soviet Union in the 1980s. Vietnamese forces have also allegedly used it in their intervention in Cambodia. Blue-X works as a sort of general anaesthetic, causing complete unconciousness very rapidly and wearing off 2-8 hours later with no aftereffects. Reports of combatants state that Blue-X was dispersed in aircraft and mortar shells. Beyond this, very little is known about the agent. If Blue-X does in fact exist, it is probably currently stockpiled by the Soviet Union and other CW-capable Warsaw Pact forces. Its primary use could be in counter-insurgency
roles and would allow the capture of prisoners for interrogation. In a superpower conflict, Blue-X could also be used to aid in the attack of conventional forces, or assist airborne insertions into the enemy rear by reducing the amount of concious defenders.

 

Nerve Agents
Nerve agents have become the primary chemical weapon on the modern battlefield. They are highly toxic substances which cause rapid death by paralyzing the muscles in a human or animal body. Because of their toxicity, nerve agents are considered strategic weapons. Where previous chemical agents could only be used locally, to attack a few troops, nerve agents could be used to attack entire populations.

The nerve agents were first developed in the 1930s by the German I.G. Farben chemical company. They were the result of Farben chemist Gerhard Schrader's work into organophosphorous insecticides. The first agent prepared was DFP, but this was soon replaced by examination of tabun, sarin, and soman. While the Allies continued development and production of DFP throughout the war, the Germans produced and stockpiled tabun. Two plants for the production of sarin were under construction by 1945, and soman had just reached the laboratory stage. Although the Allies had examined similar agents, they did not even approach the level of the German program by war's end.
During World War II, nerve agents were not used. Following the war, the Soviet forces occupied the tabun plants and transported them and their 12,000 tons of tabun back to the USSR. Allied forces did the same with whatever chemical research they could find. Further development allowed the production and stockpiling of VX in the United States, and VR-55 in the Soviet Union.

 

Action:
Nerve agents are organophosphorous compounds which attack animal and human nerve cells and inhibit the action of acetyl- cholinesterase. This enzyme is important in the control of nerve impulses.

Normally, when a nerve impulse reaches the end of a nerve cell, the cell releases an enzyme called acetylcholine. The acetylcholine spreads across the synapse, or space, between two nerve cells, and stimulates the next nerve cell in the se- quence. Immediately following the release of acetylcholine, the first nerve cell releases acetylcholinesterase, which neutralizes the effect of the acetylcholine and stops the stimulation of the next nerve cell in the sequence.

With nerve agent poisoning, the agent bonds with acetyl- cholinesterase, so there is nothing to counteract the effects of the acetylcholine. In effect, nerve cells can be "switched on" and cannot be "switched off." The result is a contraction and locking of muscles in the entire body. Muscles contract in the cornea, causing a temporary loss of sight. The body undergoes convulsions and paralysis. Finally, the diaphragm becomes paralyzed, preventing the drawing of breath, and the casualty asphyxiates.

 

Therapy and Treatment:
Therapy of nerve agent poisoning in all cases falls in two classes: the blocking of acetylcholine, and the release of acetyl- cholinesterase.

The blocking of acetylcholine is the standard technique and is achieved through the use of atropine, often issued to troops in the form of autoinjectors. Atropine is itself a very toxic substance and will incapacitate the combatant for a period of at least four hours following the injection. Further therapy includes the taking of diazepam to counteract the convulsive effects of atropine on the brain. Normal treatment for heavy exposure requires atropinization of the casualty for at least two days. Atropine therapy is considered relief of symptoms.

If atropine is given to the casualty, the effects of nerve agent are offset for four hours, regardless of the TRR. After four hours, the effects start again from where their action was blocked. Atropinization can only be used for 72 hours before it becomes ineffective. If, however, the end of a symptomatic period is reached and a TRR roll is successful, then the nerve agent is deemed neutralized.

 

Example: In a previous example, Donovan inhaled two doses of VR-55 and used his autoinjector to take a dose of atropine. Now, the amount of time left before he must make his next TRR roll is (7 Minutes * IT multiplier of 0.7) = 4.9 minutes (for the early symptomatic phase) plus four hours (atropine effects). At the end of the four hours, someone could again inject him with atropine to extend the time by another four hours, with no time lost on the early symptomatic phase.

 

The release of acetylcholinesterase is usually done at advanced medical facilities. It involves the breaking of the nerve agent-enzyme bond through the use of chemical reactivators. The dosage of reactivator must be carefully calculated, and the progress of the casualty monitored. If the technique is successful, the nerve agent is neutralized. Reactivator therapy is considered an antidote.

 

Designation: GA

Common Name: Tabun
Chemical Name: Ethyl-N-dimethylphosphoramide-cyanate
Toxic by: Skin Absorption
Persistent: Yes. PM = 1.5
Odor: Very faint sweet fruity smell.
Asymptomatic Period: 10 Phases
Early Symptoms [15 Minutes]: Runny nose, difficulty breathing, feeling of tightness in the chest. Vision is blurred and dim. These progress rapidly to coughing, drooling,
and muscle twitches. Excessive sweating also occurs.
Advanced Symptoms [40 + (10) Minutes]: Strangling tightness in the chest. Vomiting. Cramps. Muscle tremors. Involuntary urination and defecation. These progress to include
collapse, convulsions, and finally paralysis.
Treatment: Antidote. Relieve symptoms. Decontamination.
HT: 28 Days
Notes: Acetylcholinesterase inhibitor. Tabun was the first nerve agent synthesized by the Germans in preparation for World War II. There were some 12,000 tons produced, but never used. Presently, Tabun is no longer stockpiled among western CW-capable nations, but is still expected to be held in inventories by the Soviet Union. Finally, Iraq possesses Tabun, having used it in the Iran-Iraq war. As Tabun is the easiest of the nerve agents to produce, it is expected to be developed by nations just starting a CW program. Tabun is also available in a non-persistent form.

 

Designation: GB

Common Name: Sarin
Chemical Name: Isopropylmethylphosphonofluoridate
Toxic by: Skin Absorption
Persistent: Yes. PM = 1.2
Odor: None
Asymptomatic Period: 10 Phases
Early Symptoms [10 Minutes]: Runny nose, difficulty breathing, feeling of tightness in the chest. Vision is blurredand dim. These progress rapidly to coughing, drooling, and muscle twitches. Excessive sweating also occurs.
Advanced Symptoms [25 + (10) Minutes]: Strangling tightness in the chest. Vomiting. Cramps. Muscle tremors. Involuntary urination and defecation. These progress to include collapse, convulsions, and finally paralysis.
Treatment: Antidote. Relieve symptoms. Decontamination.
HT: 28 Days
Notes: Acetylcholinesterase Inhibitor. Sarin was first developed by the Germans, shortly after they developed Tabun. Sarin is still stockpiled in quantity by the United States, but is expected to be supplanted by VX-class agents. The Soviet Union is also expected to stockpile Sarin, and is said to have aided the CW-program of Iraq to the extent that Iraq is expected to be capable of producing Sarin and may even be stockpiling it. Sarin is also available in non-persistent form and in a binary form to the United States.

 

Designation: GD

Common Name: Soman
Chemical Name: Pinacolylmethylphosphonofluoridate
Toxic by: Skin Absorption
Persistent: No
Odor: None
Asymptomatic Period: 10 Phases
Early Symptoms [7 Minutes]: Runny nose, difficulty breathing, feeling of tightness in the chest. Vision is blurred and dim. These progress rapidly to coughing, drooling, and muscle twitches. Excessive sweating also occurs.
Advanced Symptoms [15 + (10) Minutes]: Strangling tightness in the chest. Vomiting. Cramps. Muscle tremors. Involuntary urination and defecation. These progress to include collapse, convulsions, and finally paralysis.
Treatment: Antidote. Relieve symptoms. Decontamination.
HT: 28 Days
Notes: Acetylcholinesterase Inhibitor. Soman is a highly toxic nerve agent, which is reported to be three times as toxic as Tabun. It is not a common agent, having been replaced by the VX and VR-55 in the United States and the Soviet Union
respectively. Soman is not expected to be stockpiled. Soman is also available in a non-persistent form.

 

Designation: VX

Common Name: VX or "Thickened Soman"
Chemical Name: Ethyl S-dimethylaminoethyl methylphosphonothiolate
Toxic by: Skin absorption
Persistent: Yes. PM = 2
Odor: None
Asymptomatic Period: 10 Phases
Early Symptoms [7 Minutes]: Runny nose, difficulty breathing, feeling of tightness in the chest. Vision is blurred and dim. These progress rapidly to coughing, drooling, and muscle twitches. Excessive sweating also occurs.
Advanced Symptoms [15 + (10) Minutes]: Strangling tightness in the chest. Vomiting. Cramps. Muscle tremors. Involuntary urination and defecation. These progress to include collapse, convulsions, and finally paralysis.
Treatment: Antidote. Relieve symptoms. Decontamination.
HT: 28 Days
Notes: Acetylcholinesterase Inhibitor. VX was first developed in the United States in 1955 and has been stockpiled by the United States since that time. Recently, however, VX has been stockpiled in binary form. Binaries are a development of
chemical agent technology which allows nerve agents to be stored as two somewhat less toxic chemicals. The two chemicals are mixed when the bomb is released or the shell is fired, thus producing VX. The United States is expected to be the sole possessor of VX.

 

Designation: VR-55

Common Name: Thickened Soman
Chemical Name: Believed to be soman thickened by the addition of synthetic polymers.
Toxic by: Skin absorption
Persistent: Yes. PM = 1.9
Odor: None
Asymptomatic Period: 10 Phases
Early Symptoms [7 Minutes]: Runny nose, difficulty breathing, feeling of tightness in the chest. Vision is blurred and dim. These progress rapidly to coughing, drooling, and muscle twitches. Excessive sweating also occurs.
Advanced Symptoms [15 + (10) Minutes]: Strangling tightness in the chest. Vomiting. Cramps. Muscle tremors. Involuntary urination and defecation. These progress to include collapse, convulsions, and finally paralysis.
Treatment: Antidote. Relieve symptoms. Decontamination.
HT: 28 Days
Notes: Acetylcholinesterase Inhibitor. VR-55 was probably developed in 1955 by the Soviet Union. It is their main nerve agent, and only they and their primary allies are expected to stockpile it. VR-55 was allegedly used by the Egyptians during
their intervention in Yemen.

 

Biological Toxins
Biological toxins are inanimate chemicals naturally produced by living organisms as either defence chemicals or a natural by-product of organic functions. They are presently a matter of grave concern in the defence community because of allegations of their use by the Soviet Union in Laos against the Hmong hill people.

Originally, biological toxins had very little military application, and were primarily used as poisons for assassinations, murders, and suicides. Their use in a conventional CW role was not fully explored until after World War II, and was driven primarily by intelligence agencies wanting better assassination techniques.

The research exploded into a worldwide controversy in 1981, when the United States alleged that the Vietnamese (with Soviet assistance) had used chemical weapons against Hmong and Khmer Rouge tribespeople in Laos and Cambodia since at least 1978, and possibly as early as 1975. One of the weapons allegedly used was Yellow Rain, supposedly a mixture of trichothecene mycotoxin and other chemicals, which was designed to cause massive hemmoraging and death. Similar reports started filtering out of Afghanistan, where "Yellow Rain" was said to be found on a Soviet gas mask. Refugee reports and interviews have revealed that there are at least three types of chemicals being used and are identified by the cloud colors yellow, white, and green. These agents and their alleged effects are discussed below.

Whether yellow rain actually exists or not, or whether it was actually used has never been resolved. Laboratory tests have proved inconclusive, with trichothecenes being found in some samples and not in others, and sufficient problems have arisen in control tests to cast doubt on the validity of both successful and unsuccessful tests. Sampling procedures and interviews with refugees have had their validity questioned, and alternative theories have been proposed, including natural fungal growths and bee defecations. The debate at present is of a highly speculative nature, and reflects a lack of incontrovertable evidence. Note: For the purposes of these rules only, Yellow Rain and its companions are treated as if they did exist.

Since the development of the Yellow Rain debate, another potential use of biological toxins has come to light. Terrorists may make use of such toxins in direct attacks on civilian targets, such as water and food supplies. In November 1980, a raid on a Paris safehouse of the West German Red Army Faction uncovered a bathroom lab containing Botulin, and in 1984, two Canadians using false credentials ordered tetanus and botulism cultures from a Maryland research firm. These incidents seem to show that terrorists are quite mindful of the potential for toxin warfare against their selected targets.

 

Designation: None

Common Name: Botulin
Chemical Name: Botulinal Toxin A
Toxic by: Ingestion
Persistent: Yes. PM = 0.5
Odor: None
Asymptomatic Period: 12 * (3) Hours
Early Symptoms [1 Day]: Nausea, weakness/paralysis starting at eyes and throat and moving down the body, dizziness, headache, and blurred vision.
Advanced Symptoms [6 + (3) Days]: Respiratory difficulty which may develop into viral pneumonia (40% chance).
Treatment: Antidote, relieve symptoms.
HT: 30 Days, but respiratory difficulty remains for up to 1 year.
Notes: The most lethal toxin known. As little as 0.1 mL of contaminated food can kill. One mouthful delivers (6) standard doses. 1 pound of contaminated food delivers up to 200 standard doses. The agent is normally created by Botulism
spores which infect improperly preserved food. The storage containers may appear to bulge at the sides and top and may even explode.
Such a substance would have very little use dispersed through military means, unless it were released into the food or water supply of a nation or city. Terrorists, such as the West German Red Army Faction, have already apparently discovered
the value of Botulin, as they were captured by French police in November, 1980 with a bathtub filled with botulism culture.

 

Designation: None

Common Name: Staphylococcal Toxin
Chemical Name: Staphylococcal Enterotoxin A
Toxic by: Ingestion
Persistent: Yes. PM = 0.5
Odor: None
Asymptomatic Period: (2) + 1 Hours
Early Symptoms [1 Day]: Nausea, vomiting, abdominal cramps, severe diarrhea with mucus or blood.

Advanced Symptoms [1 Day]: Continued.
Treatment: Relieve Symptoms at 1/2 normal effectiveness.
HT: 1 Day.
Notes: A mild form of food poisoning. One infected meal will provide (2) standard doses of agent, and one pound of contaminated food will provide roughly 3 standard doses. This toxin comes from a bacteria which usually infects dairy
products but can infect other foods. The toxin is heat-stable, meaning it cannot be destroyed by cooking. Like Botulin, staphylococccus enterotoxin is a potential
terror weapon which can be used to harass a food distribution network. For example, contaminating food at a restaurant or at a dairy plant can cause the entire network to be shut down as inspectors try to track the source of the toxin.

 

Designation: Oudushayshe ?

Common Name: Yellow Rain
Chemical Name: Believed to be a mixture of Trichothecene Mycotoxins (specifically T-2 or HT-2) and other chemicals.
Toxic by: Skin Absorption. Ingestion.
Persistent: Yes. PM = 1
Odor: "Bad smell"
Asymptomatic Period: 10 Minutes
Early Symptoms [3 Days]: Severe skin rashes--almost like blistering. Rash itches severely. Headaches. Tearing.Runny nose. Blurred Vision and disorientation. Swollen lungs causing difficulty breathing.
Advanced Symptoms [9 Days]: Diarrhea. Severe coughing of blood. Nausea. Vomiting. Severe body pain. Internal bleeding.
Treatment: Wash. Relieve symptoms. Antidote?
HT: 14 Days, but effects may linger for up to a month. Scars may remain even longer.
Notes: The actual existence of Yellow Rain is still being debated with no incontrovertable evidence yet having come to light. Much of what evidence there is suggests that Yellow Rain is a trichothecene mycotoxin believed to be derived from Fusarium fungus, the existence of which in Southeast Asia has not been established or disproven.
The above symptoms are taken from Hmong military and refugee reports in 1981 and 1982. These reports state that villages were sprayed with "clouds" of wet, yellow material which dried to a yellowish dust. Fourteen days after the spraying, 30% of the contaminated plant life turned yellow and died. The actual
spraying was done either by aircraft or airburst rockets, and some reports suggest that yellow rain is binary in nature, with the two components being combined in mist form after spraying. Allegations place the dead from this and the related
rains at 7000 Laotians and Cambodians and 3000 Afghans. The name "oudushayshe" is taken from testimony of Anatoly Sakharov, a Soviet defector in Afghanistan. It may or may not refer to yellow rain--the name suggests that it refers to a choking or asphyxiating agent.
The existence of an antidote is unknown.

 

Designation: Smirch ?

Common Name: "White" Rain
Chemical Name: Believed to be a mixture of Trichothecene Mycotoxins (specifically T-2 or HT-2) and other chemicals.
Toxic by: Skin Absorption
Persistent: Yes. PM = 1
Odor: Unknown. Possibly a "bad smell"
Asymptomatic Period: 10 Minutes
Early Symptoms [30 Minutes]: Severe Headaches. Blurred vision. Disorientation/tiredness. Coughing.
Advanced Symptoms [2 Hours]: Massive internal and external bleeding leading to vomiting of blood and diarrhea with blood simultaneously. Blood-stained urine. Severe coughing, also with blood. In some lethal cases, the heart and lungs are ruptured.
Treatment: Wash. Relieve symptoms. Antidote?
HT: 21 Days, but effects may linger for up to 2 months.
Notes: White rain is often confused with Yellow Rain. White rain's existence is also disputed, but reports suggest that it is a more lethal form of yellow rain. It causes very rapid,painful death. Plants are also killed almost immediately.
Like yellow rain, the name is also provided by Sakharov's testimony, and may not even refer to white rain. "Smirch" is said to be 100% fatal, and the effects of white rain suggest that Smirch is the appropriate designation. The existence of an antidote is unknown.

 

Designation: Unknown

Common Name: "Green" Rain
Chemical Name: Unknown. Judging from effects, this agent may be related to Yellow and White rains and may be mycotal in origin.
Toxic by: Inhalation
Persistent: Yes. PM = 0.5
Odor: Floral/Perfume scent
Asymptomatic Period: 20 Minutes
Early Symptoms [4 Days]: Blurred vision, general numbness. Disorientation and confusion causing incapacitation. Difficulty breathing.
Advanced Symptoms [4 Days]: Continued.
Treatment: Wash. Relieve Symptoms. Antidote ?
HT: 7 Days.
Notes: Incapacitant, possibly psychotomimetric. It is expected to be lethal in higher concentrations. Like both Yellow and White rain, the existence of Green rain is disputed. The existence of an antidote is unknown.

 

Defoliants

Defoliants are unlike other CW weapons in that they do not directly attack troops. They are essentially herbicides designed to either selectively kill certain types of vegetation or non-selectively kill all vegetation in an area where the chemicals have been applied.
The primary use of defoliants is to cause leaves to fall off trees and thus deny the enemy the use of the trees as camo- flage. This was the primary justification for the use of defoliants by the United States in the Vietnam War. A secondary, less publicized use is to use defoliants to attack food sources of enemy populations. This was done to a certain extent in Vietnam by the United States, but was not as common as defoliation missions.

The defoliants were first used by the United States in 1962 in Operation Ranch Hand, which involved the use of herbicide spraying from aircraft. Ranch Hand had only defoliation as an objective until 1964, when the United States became fully committed to the war. At that point, the use of herbicides for crop destruction was authorized. Operation Ranch Hand lasted from October, 1962 to January, 1971, and sprayed six million acres of South Vietnam in that time. The adverse publicity surrounding the use of defoliants and the allegations of health risks meant that the United States never used defoliants since. Also, no other nation is believed to have used defoliants either.

 

Defoliant Effects on Humans:
The studies of defoliant effects on humans are inconclusive. They are unable to show that defoliants applied in battle- field conditions have any effect on a human.

However, the evidence of Vietnam War veterans and civilians in that war suggests that there are both immediate and long-term effects of exposure to defoliants. A combatant sprayed with a defoliant at "battlefield concentrations" will suffer minor skin irritation and itching immediately following exposure, and may develop a rash which fades after a few days. Neither the irritation nor the rash will in any way affect his abilities as a combatant.
However, numerous long-term effects have been alleged. These are primarily attributed to Agent Orange, which saw the most application in Vietnam, but they may apply to the other defoliants as well. In the long term, the exposed combatant may develop respiratory distress, behavioral changes, or cancer. Also, his or her children may suffer from birth defects such as limb malformation and (more commonly) congenital respiratory and heart defects. In very rare cases, the child may be stillborn and horribly deformed. It is expected that such dramatic effects would only occur after prolonged exposure.

 

Defoliant Effects on Plants:
On plants, however, the effects are substantially differ- ent. Three primary defoliants are listed below along with their effects on plant life. The gamemaster should determine the swath sprayed by the delivery aircraft and apply these effects to the plant life covered by the swath. For simplicity, do not consider CNC values of the spray, provided that the players use a "reasonable" spray pattern.

 

Designation: Agent Orange

Common Name: 2,4-D plus 2,4,5-T
Chemical Name: Mixture of 50% 2,4 Dichlorophenoxyacetic Acid and 50% 2,4,5 Trichlorophenoxyacetic Acid
Effects: Swath is characterized by plant life which has gone on a wild growing spurt and undergone dramatic leaf fall. Not a leaf will remain on the affected trees. Affects only the uppermost canopy of a forest, and only kills those trees. Saplings and shorter trees which are covered by the canopy remain unaffected. Mangrove trees and swamp plants are killed outright, and may take up to a decade to begin regeneration. Crops are killed
outright. Bamboo seems unaffected.

Time for Effects to be Noticed: 3 Days to substantial leaf fall. After a week, the affected trees and crops are dead.
Time for Recovery: Variable, depending on location and type of plants sprayed. In a rapidly growing forest or jungle, the effects may persist for up to a month with one spraying, and up to three months with two sprayings. Three or more sprayings will last for up to two years as the growing cycle is interrupted. Longer effects may persist because of soil erosion or the incursion of grasses or bamboo.

Notes: Defoliant. Agent Orange was the primary defoliant used in the Vietnam War and was used to control jungle growth and attack crops. It works by first interfering with the production of the hormone auxin in plants, which is necessary to have strong cells where the leaf and stem connect. Secondly, Agent Orange causes an acceleration in growth, which has the effect of making the leaves heavier than the auxin-lacking connector cells can hold, and thus accelerating leaf fall. The plant dies shortly after.
Agent Orange is actually a mixture of commercially available herbicides. The name Agent Orange comes from the color of the metal barrels the United States military used to contain the agent. Agent Orange is interchangeable with Agent Purple, which has different proportions of the herbicides.

 

Designation: Agent White

Common Name: Tordon 101
Chemical Name: Mixture of 2,4-D and 4 amino 3,5,6 trichloropicolinic acid (a.k.a. Picloram)
Effects: The swath of trees is killed, and the leaves are removed. Affects only the uppermost canopy of a forest, and only kills those trees. Saplings and shorter trees
which are covered by the canopy remain unaffected. Mangrove trees and swamp plants are killed outright, and may take up to a decade to begin regeneration. Coniferous
trees and crops are killed outright. Bamboo seems unaffected.
Time for Effects to be Noticed: 3 Days to substantial leaf fall. After a week, the affected trees and crops are dead.
Time for Recovery: Variable, depending on location and type of plants sprayed. In a rapidly growing forest or jungle, the effects may persist for up to 3 months with one
spraying. Two or more sprayings will last for up to two years as the growing cycle is interrupted. Longer effects may persist because of soil erosion or the incursion of
grasses or bamboo. Also, Agent White is highly persistent, so growth in a sprayed area may be stunted or otherwise retarded for years after the spraying.
Notes: Herbicide. Agent White is designed for use around settlements because of its lower tendency to drift than Agent Orange. In Vietnam, it was primarily used for woody plant control, and was used on coniferous forests. Like Agent Orange, Agent White is a commercially available herbicide. Agent White's method of operation is to kill the plant outright in addition to halting the production of auxin.

 

Designation: Agent Blue

Common Name: Cacodylic Acid
Chemical Name: Dimethylarsenic acid
Effects: The swath of grass, crops, and bamboo is killed.
Time for Effects to be Noticed: 3 Days to grass kill.
Time for Recovery: Variable. Agent Blue is expected to be quickly inactivated after application, but this does not apply to cropland. Sprayed areas will not support crops
for up to 2 years. Grass and bamboo may start regenerating after 3 weeks.
Notes: Herbicide. Agent Blue was used for grass and crop control in Vietnam. Like the other agents, Agent Blue is commercially available, but has been out of use since the 1970s in North America because of fears of long-term effects.