Nettle
Nettle substances (also "Yellow Cross 3", sometimes also "Red Cross") are chemical warfare agents with a wide range of toxic effects. Chemically, these are halogenated oximes . They are highly irritating substances that act on the upper respiratory tract, damage the lungs and cause skin damage. In Germany before the Second World War, dichloroformoxime ( phosgene oxime , dichloroformaldoxime) in particular was investigated.
The effect on the skin occurs without a latency period and manifests itself in a burning sensation on the skin, the formation of wheals (similar to that which occurs on contact with nettles ) and swelling and even inflammation. The consequences of the irritation to the eyes are immediate strong tearing, eye pain, impaired visual acuity and corneal and conjunctivitis.
effect
In the upper respiratory tract, the irritant effect manifests itself in immediate coughing fits. After inhalation, the effect with that of is phosgene comparable, it creates a pulmonary edema .
The halogenated oximes are chemically unstable, but because of their immediate onset of action, they are suitable as non-persistent warfare agents, especially in moments of surprise.
Only phosgene oxime, the best-known representative of this class of warfare agents, was produced by the military. The storage of warfare agents and ammunition, however, caused great problems. Phosgene oxime is extremely corrosive on steel, aluminum and plastics. It therefore had to be stored in enamelled containers. The warfare agent also decomposes after a short storage time. The warfare agent was never manufactured and stored on an industrial scale.
See also
- Gas war during the First World War
-
Colored shooting
- Blue cross, see nose and throat warfare agent
- Green Cross
- Mustard , mustard , mustards
- White cross, see eye warfare agent
- List of chemical warfare agents
