The Chemistry of Destroying Chemical Weapons

The Chemistry of Destroying Chemical Weapons

Toxic chemicals have been used in war for centuries, with the earliest archaeological evidence of their use dating from Roman times: around AD 256, dense clouds of choking gases formed from burning bitumen and sulfur crystals were used to kill 20 men, ironically in Syria. Chemical weapons technology has moved on somewhat since then and on 21 August 2013, after five apparent practice runs earlier in the year, an estimated 1500 Syrians, mainly civilians including many children, were killed by exposure to the nerve gas sarin in the eastern suburbs of Damascus.

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