BLISTER AGENTS Meaning and
Definition
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Blister agents, also known as vesicant agents or blistering agents, are a type of chemical warfare agent that cause severe and painful blistering of the skin, eyes, and respiratory system upon contact. These agents are mainly employed to incapacitate or harm military personnel, making them one of the most feared and devastating chemical weapons.
Blister agents are typically volatile liquids that evaporate into the air quickly, allowing them to spread over a large area as a vapor or aerosol. The most commonly known and used blister agent is sulfur mustard, commonly referred to as mustard gas. Other types of blister agents include nitrogen mustard, lewisite, phosgene oxime, and sulfur-containing organic compounds.
Upon exposure to blister agents, the skin becomes red and inflamed, eventually forming painful blisters. These blisters can be shallow or deep, depending on the severity and duration of exposure. Blister agents can also cause eye irritation, leading to inflammation, watering, and temporary or permanent blindness.
Inhalation of blister agents can cause severe damage to the respiratory system, leading to respiratory distress, coughing, wheezing, and chemical pneumonia. In some cases, exposure to high concentrations can result in death due to systemic toxicity.
Due to the devastating effects and long-lasting consequences of blister agents, their use is prohibited under the Chemical Weapons Convention and other international treaties. Extensive protective measures and decontamination protocols have been developed to minimize the impact of blister agents in case of exposure or contamination.
Etymology of BLISTER AGENTS
The word blister agents originated in the early 20th century and is derived from the term blistering agents. The etymology of blister dates back to the Middle English word blister, which was derived from the Old French word blestre. The Old French term, in turn, can be traced back to the Late Latin word blister meaning a blister or pustule. The word blister ultimately finds its roots in the Proto-Indo-European base bhlei-, which means to swell or to blow up.
