Roles and Responsibilities in Chemical Warfare
Mike Jenson Raj
Current Concepts in Chemistry, GCU
February 9, 2022
Introduction
The primary purpose of any government is to take care of their respective populace. Government is to govern a nation, though this is obvious.Typically, governments have different forms of functioning, like constitutional monarchy, republic, democracy, etc. It is the duty of the government to make sure the entire state apparatus is prepared for any contingencies.These emergencies could be war, natural disasters, man-made disasters, and/or any unexpected tragedies. Chemical warfare can also be categorized as national tragedy, though based on war. The national government of the United States has preparedness programs instituted for local, state, and at federal levels This preparedness is overseen by FEMAand the Department of Homeland Security (W&P, 2014) Both department and the agencies directly answerable to the President of the US (W&P, 2014)
History and Safety
Chemical warfare preparedness emerged during WW1 in Europe, and then gradually proceeded to the USA The difficulty of being prepared is because different generational chemical agents target different aspects of human biology The first generation dealt with killing, like cyanide gas (W&P, 2014).The second generation dealt with maiming, like mustard gas (W&P, 2014).The third generation dealt with chemical disruption within the body, like VX (CDC, 2013).The fourth developed, in Russia called Novichok (new), is a type of chemical agent which is truly warfare oriented (W&P, 2014).The specialty of Novichok is that it is very hard to trace (detect), contain, binary nature, and lingers (stays undissociated for a time). Recently, the historical precedent in the use of chemical agents is at an all-time high.The use of Novichok to neutralize a few persons in Britain by Russian agents shows the grave reality of such weapons. These can be used in large-scale warfare, to assassinate individuals, or in terrorist attacks (CDC, 2013) The flexibility of these agents is evident
Preparedness
The USAgovernment through its Department of Homeland security, and FEMAis well-prepared to face regional and local chemical warfare agents.Though on a national level, no nation can be prepared enough. One of the few safety tips concerning chemical agents, is to stay inside residence, and to not venture out (W&P, 2014).The venturing out will cause the skin, lung, and eyes to be exposed to toxic and deadly chemicals (CDC, 2013).These chemicals will inevitably lead to pain, disability, and immature death (W&P, 2014).This is true especially for children, and elderly When children and elderly are exposed to caustic and toxic chemicals, the biological resilience is weak compared to young and mature individuals (W&P, 2014)
Naturally, If faced with a chemical attack, FEMAhas sites around the nation, called FEMAcamps, which can be used to give shelter to those affected by chemical agents.Also, regional and local hospitals have been warned and given documentary training on how to manage such a scenario.The influx of war refugees, or evacuees, will be high.This is especially true to big cities like NewYork, and other cities. FEMAis also equipped with the latest knowledge on how to combat such tragedies Large stockpiles of chemical agents and remedial medicines have been stockpiles in each state, localities, and in federal repositories This storage is different from the military supplies, which can be used if shortages persist The name given to the stockpiling of anti-chemical warfare agents and medicines is called CSEPP, chemical stockpile emergency preparedness program (W&P, 2014) This is especially active next to chemical storage sites near military bases
Evaluation and RealityAssessment of Chemical Warfare
Indeed, the reality of chemical warfare is that states/nations have not prepared for such contingencies. Unfortunately, not too many nations have identified chemical warfare as a threat to their national security, and thus lag in preparedness. One European nation that prepares well
against such an attack is the Czech Republic, and is on par with the preparedness of the USA
Post-modern wars will be accomplished in combined arms, in a sort of hybrid format (W&P, 2014) Using weapons of mass destruction along with other non-traditional and traditional weapons For the use of chemical weapons the troops, and the staff must be fully versed in such warfare, and it is not easy It takes approximately around 3 to 5 years for a dedicated platoon to be trained for surgical strikes in the enemy territories with chemical and other weapons of mass destruction This is due to the inherent nature of destructive power of these types of weapons I heard first-hand testimony of an ex-Soviet chemical weapons expert, who said his friend died on-spot while handling a toxic class of agent called Novichok (new in Russian) He was prepared, trained, and wore the necessary outfit, but there was a small hole in the suit, and died spontaneously due to the harsh (biologically corrosive), fast, and deadly nature of the chemical agent.
Conclusion and End Remarks
In conclusion, chemical preparedness is to take together as a society. For example, Israel is a tiny nation right in the middle of Islamic nations.These Islamic nations are hateful to these Jews, and openly profess their desire to annihilate.To my knowledge, Israel is prepared on the biological, chemical, nuclear, and conventional front. Prepared to face any contingency, just like the USA. CDC is another agency that is given the priority to prepare the nation.As in the case of COVID-19, a germ that has caused far more hurt than the entire stockpile of chemical warfare agents in the world. Forewarned is forearmed, so preparation is necessary for chemical warfare America must not be taken unawares by the sudden surge of chemical agents penetrating its space It would be devastating and debilitating, and would scare the nation, in similar fashion to 9/11 (DHS, 2004)
References
CHEMICAL ATTACK WARFARE AGENTS, INDUSTRIAL CHEMICALS, AND TOXINS. (2004).
Department of Homeland
Security.
https://www.dhs.gov/xlibrary/assets/prep_chemical_fact_sheet.pdf
Methods Used to Destroy Chemical Warfare Agents [Fact sheet]. (2013, May 31). CDC.
https://www.cdc.gov/nceh/demil/methods.htm
War and Peace. (2014). Chemistry & Industry, 78(8), 38–43.
https://doi-org.lopes.idm.oclc.org/10.1002/cind.788_12.x