Organophosphate nerve agents/gases

Military nerve agents are organophosphate componnds containing either a fluorine, sulfur, or cyanide substituent group (Dacre, 1984). GA contains a cyanide substituent group (VX contains a sulfur group and GB a fluorine group). The chemical synonyms. Chemical Abstract Service (CAS) and Army identification numbers (DA, 1974,1992 Dacre, 1984), and chemical formula for GA are as follows ... 

In addition to being found in the nervous system, acetylcholinesterase also occurs in the blood where it is bound to the surface of red blood cells (termed RBC-ChE or RBC-AChE). RBC-AChE activity, as well as the activity of a second type of cholinesterase found in blood plasma (butyrylchoUnesterase, or plasma cholinesterase) have been used to monitor exposure to organophosphate compounds (pesticides and nerve agents). Both RBC-AChE and plasma-ChE activity have been used as bioindicators of potential toxic effects. There is some evidence that RBC-AChE is as sensitive as brain ChE to the effects of nerve agents. Grob and Harvey (1958) reported that the in vitro concentrations producing 50% depression of brain-ChE and RBC-AChE activity were the same in the case of GA (1.5 x 10 mol/L),... 

Synonyms Cyclosarin Cyclohexyl methylphos-phonofluoridate CMPF Cyclosin Methyl-phosphonofluoridic acid cyclohexyl ester Methyl cyclohexylfluorophosphonate Cyclohexyl ester of methylphosphonofluoridic acid Cyclo-hexylmethyl-fluorophosphonate Methylfluoro-cyclohexylphosphonate Nerve gas Nerve agent Chemical/Pharmaceutical/Other Class GF is a colorless, liquid, organophosphate human-made nerve agent with intermediate persistence. The evaporation rate is l/20th that of water. It has a... 

Nerve agents are hydrolyzed by the enzyme organophosphate (OP) hydrolase. The hydrolysis of GB, soman (GD), tabun (GA), and diisopropyl flu-orophosphate occurs at approximately the same rate. The isomers of the asymmetric OPs may differ in overall toxicity, rate of aging, rate of cholinesterase inhibition, and rate of detoxification. The rates of detoxification differ for different animal species and routes of administration. The onset of effects from nerve agents depends on the route, duration, and amount of exposure. The effects can occur within seconds to several minutes after exposure. There is no... 

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