chemical agent
Found in thesaurus: agent
chemical agent
chemical substance; substance used to create chemical weapons
Chemical weapon
A
chemical weapon (
CW) is a munition that uses chemicals
formulated to inflict death or harm on human beings. The Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) states:
- The term chemical weapon may also be applied to any toxic chemical or its precursor that can cause death, injury, temporary incapacitation or sensory irritation through its chemical action. Munitions or other delivery devices designed to deliver chemical weapons, whether filled or unfilled, are also considered weapons themselves.
They are classified as
weapons of mass destruction (WMDs), though they are distinct from
nuclear weapons,
biological weapons (diseases), and
radiological weapons (which use radioactive decay of elements). All may be used in warfare known by the military acronym NBC, for nuclear, biological, and chemical warfare. Weapons of mass destruction are distinct from
conventional weapons, which are primarily effective due to their
explosive,
kinetic, or
incendiary potential. Chemical weapons can be widely dispersed in gas, liquid and solid forms, and may easily afflict others than the intended targets.
Nerve gas,
tear gas and
pepper spray are three modern examples.
chemical agent
Noun
1. an agent that produces chemical reactions
(hypernym) agent
(hyponym) active agent, active
chemical agent
A chemical substance which is intended for use in military operations to kill, seriously injure, or incapacitate personnel through its physiological effects. The term excludes riot control agents, herbicides and substances generating smoke and flame. See also chemical ammunition; chemical defence; chemical dose; chemical environment; riot control agent. 1/12/93
agent chimique
Substance chimique destinée à un emploi militaire. Elle est prévue pour tuer, blesser sérieusement ou empêcher par ses effets physiologiques le personnel de remplir sa mission. Ce terme exclut les agents antiémeutes, les herbicides, les substances fumigènes et inflammables. Voir aussi environnement chimique, dose chimique, défense contre agents chimiques, munition chimique; agent antiémeutes. 1/12/93
chemical agent
kemisk middel, kemisk substans; substans brugt til at fremstilling af våben