VX is a highly potent and deadly synthetic nerve agent that is classified as a chemical weapon. It is considered one of the most toxic substances ever created and exists in a liquid form. VX belongs to a group of chemicals known as organophosphorus compounds, which are widely used in pesticides and nerve agents.
VX is primarily composed of the chemical compound known as O-ethyl S-(2-diisopropylaminoethyl) methylphosphonothioate. It is colorless, odorless, and tasteless, making it difficult to detect. VX is stable and can persist in the environment for a long time, posing a significant risk even after being dispersed.
Once exposed to VX, it can rapidly penetrate the skin, breathe into the lungs, or be ingested. It acts by inhibiting the enzyme acetylcholinesterase, which regulates the neurotransmitter acetylcholine responsible for nerve signals. Consequently, VX disrupts the normal functioning of the nervous system, causing a range of severe symptoms, including blurred vision, vomiting, convulsions, paralysis, and ultimately leading to respiratory failure and death.
VX is categorized as a weapon of mass destruction, and its production, stockpiling, and use are strictly regulated under the Chemical Weapons Convention. The agent gained significant attention due to its use in several notorious incidents, such as the assassination of Kim Jong-nam, the half-brother of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, in 2017.
Given its extreme toxicity, VX is a grave threat to human health and is subject to intense international control measures to prevent its misuse or proliferation.
