Arsenical smokes

Orthochlorobenzylidene malononitrile (CS) is the most commonly used irritant for riot control purposes. Chloracetophenone (CN) is also used in some countries for this purpose in spite of its higher toxicity. A newer agent is dibenzoxazepine (CR) with which there is little experience. Arsenical smokes (sternutators) have in the past been used on the battlefield. Apart from their lachrymatory action they also provoke other effects, e.g., bron-choconstriction and emesis, and are some times referred to as vomiting agents. 

According to EPA (IRIS 1999), the available human epidemiological studies lack quantitative exposure data for lead and for possible confounding exposures (e.g., arsenic, smoking). Cancer excesses in the lung and stomach of lead-exposed workers that are reported are relatively small, dose-response relationships are not demonstrated neither is there consistency in the site of cancers reported. EPA (IRIS 1999) concluded that the human data are inadequate to refute or demonstrate the potential carcinogenicity of lead exposure. 

A simple grenade which will generate either cyanide or arsenical smoke can easily be made from common materials. This device is very effective in enclosed j spaces, but poses a serious fire risk, as it operates at high temperatures. Depending on the planned use, this may not be a problem. 

Chinese soldiers during the period 960-1279 CE used arsenical smokes in battle (CNS, 2001), and the Germans used noxious smokes in 1155 CE. In the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries, the Venetians used poison filled mortar shells and poison chests to taint wells, crops, and animals (Gelling, 2003). 

Chemical weapons were not merely researched and developed — they were used. At the beginning of 1919 the British employed the M device (which produced clouds of arsenic smoke) at Archangel when they intervened in the Russian Civil War, dropping the canisters from aeroplanes into the dense forests. The anti-Bolshevik White Army was equipped with British gas shells, and the Red Army are also alleged to have used chemicals. 

Chemical weapons were probably first used by the Spartans against the Atheiuans. They used sulfiar and arsenic smoke in 431 B.C. Greek-fire (burning liquid sulfur) was used in the seventh century to set enemy ships on fire. Sulfur with turpentine oil was used against fortresses in the sixteenth century. 

Poisonous agents have been used as tools of war for thousands of years, even as early as 600 bc some examples include poisoned arrows, boiling tar, arsenic smoke, and noxious fumes (www.opcw.org/ about-chemical-weapons/history-of-cw-use/). 

In October the French reported that German gas masks were fitted for protection against arsenical smokes. This led to rumours of an imminent German gas attack with a new arsenical weapon. These were taken seriously by British intelligence, particularly since Germany was also believed to have purchased large quantities of arsenic. The War Cabinet authorised the modification of 400000 Service gas masks, but not of the civilian respirator. 

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