Environment warfare

In this introductory chapter, a broad overview is given of the history of chemical warfare on earth, and the compounds, species, and mechanisms involved. The impact of human-made compounds on the environment, which is the subject of this book, is an extremely recent event in evolutionary terms. It is important to take a holistic view, and to see the effects of human-made pollutants on the environment against the background of chemical warfare in nature. 

Tomes JA, Opstad AM, Johnsen BA. 1991. Use of solid-phase extraction in determination of chemical warfare agents. Part IE Determination of chemical warfare agents in samples from a battlefield environment. International Journal of Environmental Analytical Chemistry 44(4) 227-232. 

Credit Waging Peace, Chemical and Biological Weapons Use in Warfare, Impact on Society and Environment, by Gert G. Harigel http //www.wagingpeace.org/ articles/2001/1 l/00 harigel cbw.htm... 

To date the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has had little involvement with GLP labs other than as a part of normal workplace safety evaluations. Increasingly however, OSHA has expressed concerns about the possible exposure of workers to biological and viral contaminants in laboratory environments. No doubt a good deal of this concern is a result of concerns following the September 11 disaster, and subsequent (so far unrealized) fears of related biological warfare. 

It has been recognised for many years that modem warfare is less often that of conventional army versus army confrontations [1], but now more often army versus semi-military (guerrilla) forces, street battles (urban terrain environments) [2] and insurgencies involving civilians. It can also involve challenging terrains such as deserts, jungles or mountains [3],... 

Munro NB, Ambrose KR et at (1994) Toxidty of the organophosphate chemical warfare agents GA, GB, and VX implications for public protection. Environ Health Perspect 102(l) 18-38... 

Lee, B.Y.S., and Reed, R Jr. (1996) Degradable and Environment Responsive Explosives, Naval Air Warfare Center, Weapons Division (NAWCWPNS) TP-8282, April 1996, NAWC, China Lake, CA. 

Since QSAR models for narcosis toxicity based on Kn/W are available for many endpoints and species, it has become a popular approach applied for screening the ecological risk posed by substances for which no data are available. ECOSAR itself, with 150 relationships defined for over 50 chemical classes, has been used to predict toxicity and estimate hazards for chemical warfare agents in marine environments [96], pharmaceuticals [102-104], direct and indirect food additives, and industrial chemicals [105]. Although there are several QSAR and other predictive tools currently available, this section focuses on ECOSAR as it is one of the most widely and easily used. 

Chemical weapon disarmament has progressed far since the first attempts were made a 100 years previously to outlaw the use of chemical weapons in war. The CWC still holds the best promise for reducing the threat of chemical warfare by building an environment of confidence and security. As well as instruments of verification and inspection, the CWC also possesses resort to aid and assistance in the area of chemical warfare defences in case of attack. In the final analysis, however, the overriding aim of the CWC continues to be the effective ban of all chemical weapons, complemented by the desire to promote the peaceful use of chemicals in industry. Whether such incentives will balance the pressure to acquire such weapons remains to be seen. 

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