Chemical Weapons We have a lot of problems facing this modern world including global warming, nuclear proliferation, pollution, and war. One of the most overlooked problems that is facing this world is Chemical Weapons warfare. I will be discussing Chemical Weapons and their effect on people and the environment.
Chemical Weapons need to be thought as a problem that requires an efficient swift solution. Before we can discuss the effect of Chemical Weapons on people and the environment we must discuss what exactly Chemical Weapons are. Chemical weapons have been defined as chemical substances, whether gaseous, liquid or solid, which might be employed because of their direct toxic effects on man, animals and plants.” In other words, Chemical weapons are used for their harmful effect on people, the environment, and other things — such as food supplies. Normally, Chemical weapons are used in war.
These chemical weapons that are used tend to be in the form of solids, liquids and sometimes gases. While there are several different types of Chemical agents, the main groups are: Nerve Agents, Mustard Agents, Hydrogen Cyanide, Tear Gases, Arsines, Psychotomimetic Agents and Toxins. It was stated that Chemical Weapons are normally used in war. Chemical Warfare has become a part of 20th century warfare. Chemical Weapons were first used World War I, and are still have been since. A recent incident involving Americans and Chemical Warfare was from the Persian Gulf Conflict in which US soldiers were exposed to chemical weapons.
Since then, many soldiers have become sick with a strange Gulf- syndrome that has since been attributed to Chemical Weapons used secretly by Iraq. Chemical Weapons are extremely dangerous and hazardous to life. This is their sole purpose. Their effects on humans and the environment can be incredible and awful. The effect of a chemical weapon depends on the type employed.
Nerve agents can cause death. Along with their fatal properties, Nerve agents can be colorless, odorless, and tasteless. Other Chemical agents, such as mustard gas, can be used to render their victims unable to fight. Mustard gas causes huge blisters on the skin and has caused many causalities in war. Other chemical weapons agents can be used to cause blindness, mental confusion, and violent coughing in their victims.
Chemical Weapons are also dangerous to the environment. Chemical weapons are used to destroy food supplies, damage the environment, and poison water. The effects of the weapons are long-standing and dangerous. Plantlife is discolored and often killed. Animals suffer the same dangerous effects of chemical weapons as people.
Water supplies often require heavy equipment for re-purification in order to make the environment suitable again for life. Chemical Weapons leave lingering effects on the environments in which they are employed. Chemical weapons are not used by the large nations. It is the smaller states, that threaten to, and do employ them.
While some of the more deadly chemical nerve gases, like those from W.W.I, are rarely still used, Chemical Weapons are still stockpiled and used. Stockpiling of Chemical Weapons is dangerous situation. When a nation has these weapons, then there is the threat of their use. Also, security must be set up around these weapons. However, there are efforts being made in order to help reduce, remove, and dispose of Chemical Weapons in a safe way.
In recognition of Chemical Weapons being a serious problem that needs to be dealt with, the United Nations has formed the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC). The goal of the CWC is to help bring about the total elimination and banning of chemical weapons in the all countries of the world. They have written an extremely long, specific charter that explains how this can and will be done. Over 60 countries have already ratified it. By banning Chemical Weapons Warfare, and creating specific parameters around disposal and destruction of Chemical Weapons, peace and order can finally be achieved.
Chemical Weapons are a problem that needs to be dealt with. Their effects on people, animal, and plant life are extremely devastating. There is a solution though. The CWC has created the guidelines required for dealing with Chemical Weapons.
In order for there to be stability in this world, nations have to agree to stop stockpiling chemical weapons and move towards their destruction. All nations of this world need to agree to ban Chemical Weapons Warfare and safely dispose of their weapons. Until this happens, the threat and danger of Chemical Weapons will continue forever.
