During the 1950s, ICI in the UK was working on organophosphate pesticides when it discovered a highly effective agent. However, the new 'pesticide' proved too toxic for release in the British countryside. The Ministry of Defence took note and recognised the agent as a potentially effective weapon of war. The British had manufactured a chemical that would soon be classified as VX. It proved to be the most potent of all the nerve agents. VX has the viscosity of motor oil, although it can be turned into a fine aerosol by an explosive force. It is highly persistent, taking several weeks to evaporate. Because of VX's persistence, it can serve as an area-denial weapon. In this way, it can be used to secure flanks or as a chemical minefield. In 1956, the British relinquished the use of chemical and biological weapons; however, details concerning the manufacture of VX were passed on to the Americans. In response, the US built up large stocks of the nerve agent. It can be delivered as a binary agent, which is supposedly safer during transport. The two chemicals are then mixed together before deployment. The separate chemicals, although toxic in their own right, are nowhere near as poisonous as the final brew.
The agent is considered a weapon of mass destruction by the United Nations. Its manufacture and stockpiling have been prohibited by a UN resolution in 1993. Well, I'm sure the 'civilised' nations will comply, but what about rogue nations and terrorist organisations? This is not just a theoretical consideration. Read on and weep. Yep, nerve gas in its early stages will cause lacrimation.
In February 2017, the half-brother of the glorious leader of North Chorea, Kim Dim Sum, Kim Jong Nam, was awaiting a flight to his home in Macau when two women approached and smeared a mystery liquid on his face. Although prompt medical aid was rendered, he died after 30 minutes due to respiratory failure. Later, the chemical was identified as VX. I wonder who could have been responsible? Tis inexplicable. A mystery wrapped in an enigma, and coated with a puzzle. There have been other instances of VX use by terrorist groups and foreign governments, however. I don't have the space to go into detail here.
I would like to finish this trilogy with a personal anecdote. Many years ago, I worked post-university as a researcher in the Botany Department at the University of Bath in England. What a wonderful position you will no doubt shout. Surely, after many years of higher education, I had obtained a distinguished position at an English University, pursuing research at the cutting edge of empirical knowledge. The salary will be grand and the prestige great as I wend my way through research designed to uncover the genetic secrets ingrained in the humble but enigmatic dandelion. Sadly, my salary was slim, but I was desperate for a job. My girlfriend had recently given birth to a healthy baby girl and was residing in a council flat in an unsavoury part of the West Midlands. But enough about me, for this story concerns a PhD student in the department. I've mentioned this character on this blog before; however, one aspect of the original story is relevant here and thus deserves reiteration.
This particular student was indeed very odd and very smart. He had previously studied at Oxford University, graduating with a 1st Class Degree. Because of his strange behaviour, he was disliked by students and staff alike. I have always attracted life's flotsam and jetsam, and perhaps because I didn't treat him with open contempt and derision, he began to hang around the section of the lab where I worked and engage me in conversation. He would regale me with stories about himself and matters arcane. He was anachronistic in his speech and demeanour, with the air of an eccentric Edwardian gentleman. This is difficult to convey in words; however, I will illustrate with an example: He considered himself 'Anglican High Church'. A highbrow form of Christianity, closely akin to Catholicism in liturgy and tradition. Not many 23-year-olds count as members. Indeed, few folk belong these days. Its adherents are generally old and patrician. Although not old, he did have the air of a gentleman displaced in time.
Here is His story
Apparently, as an undergraduate, he had determined the chemical composition of the VX nerve agent and the means of its manufacture. This is before the internet, and the nature of the agent and its production would not have been public knowledge. This information is classified and outside the public domain. Now, there are gifted chemists, engineers and smart weirdos who have the skill to work this out. However, given the sensitivity of the topic and the possibility of government censure, it would be prudent for the chemist to keep their findings to themselves. Our story's hero was not of this ilk. Instead, he wrote to the Ministry of Defence with a complete exposition of his undoubtedly important research. Not long after, two large men in immaculately tailored suits, both sporting the same well-coiffed, short hair, materialised at the door of our hero's dorm. They entered his room without being bidden. Without further ado, they asked for all the information pertaining to the topic at hand. They carried out the work with quiet, unsmiling efficiency, and dare I say it, aplomb. Once the task was done, they explained to our friend that if he ever felt the need to share sensitive information in the future, they would pay him a further visit. This time, they would take him away to a place replete with disused mine shafts. Thereafter, a freak accident would ensue, and the subject of the story would be whisked from our mortal existence to join the choir invisible. He took the hint. However, he considered the incident a badge of honour.
Furthermore, for some strange reason, the chemical production of mercaptoethanol interested him. This is the most unpleasant-smelling chemical in existence. I've had experience with this chemical. Even though the procedure involved minute amounts of the chemical placed in a fume cupboard, the smell permeated the entire laboratory. As the experiment had to be conducted every day for five days, I became the focus of ill will from my scientific colleagues.
Moving On...
As my readers have no doubt discerned, the problem is stark and terrifying. Nerve agents are not difficult to manufacture with the proper knowledge and facilities. Random nutters, terrorists and governments can use these agents to horrendous effect. Nerve gases truly deserve their designation as 'The Poor Man's Atomic Bomb'.
This concludes the trilogy on noxious agents.
Enough tales of horrific, poisonous substances, the next post will be an uplifting Christmas tale in keeping with the festive season.
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