VX is a deadly nerve agent developed in the UK for use as a pesticide. It’s a viscous liquid that can be aerosolized, causing asphyxiation and death. Exposure to VX requires immediate medical attention. Most nations have agreed not to use it, but some still keep stockpiles for research.
VX is a nerve agent developed in the UK by scientists who were initially trying to design orthophosphates for use as a pesticide. The researchers soon realized that the chemicals they were developing were in fact extremely dangerous and lethal, and became known as V-series nerve agents. The production, stockpiling and research of V-series agents is prohibited by the Convention on Chemical Weapons in 1993, although several nations have chosen to keep parts of their stockpiles for research.
Many people think of VX as a nerve gas, but it’s actually an extremely viscous, pale liquid that somewhat resembles motor oil. VX’s high viscosity makes it extremely persistent, because it’s difficult to remove from soil and water, and it can slowly evaporate over time, releasing the dangerous VX gas. VX can also be aerosolized, forcing victims to inhale it; Aerosolized VX is of great concern, because it could potentially debilitate and kill large numbers of people as it travels through the air.
Exposure to VX will eventually cause death by asphyxiation unless the victim receives medical attention. Early signs of exposure include twitching, sweating, nausea, shortness of breath, and a runny nose. When the chemical weapon enters the body, it interferes with an enzyme in the muscles, causing all the muscles to contract. Eventually, this will lead to a complete blockage of the airways, causing the victim to die due to lack of air.
The total amount of VX in the world is not known, as most nations are cautious about their chemical weapons programs. This chemical does not appear in nature, so any existing VX would have to have been intentionally synthetically produced, and many nations say they have destroyed their stockpiles of VX. Despite the fact that the V-series Agents were developed in Great Britain, Great Britain has no surviving titles.
Exposure to VX is extremely unlikely, as most nations have agreed that it is too dangerous to use in the field. Researchers who work with VX do so in very tightly controlled facilities with considerable protections and receive extensive training. In the event that you are exposed to VX, you should remove your clothes as quickly as possible, wash yourself with soap and water, and seek immediate medical attention; in case of inhalation or ingestion, medical treatment is essential. Medical treatment focuses on flushing the VX out of the system and relaxing the patient’s muscles.
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