A-Z Chemicals Weapons Banned By The Geneva Convention

The Geneva Conventions is a result of war discussion that in the end establish the standards of weapons usage ban due to humanitarian reasons. It highlights the usage of List Of Chemicals Used In Warfare.  The result of the convention prohibits the use of any asphyxiating, poisonous or other gases, and of Bacteriological Methods of Warfare.

Chemicals Weapons Banned By The Geneva Convention

The agreement was between those who had used gas in the Great War such as Austria, Britain, France, Germany a, d Russia. Here are some chemical weapons that the Geneva Convention ban for using, stockpiling and distributing.

1. Asphyxiating gas

A nontoxic or minimally toxic gas form of weapon that reduces or displaces the normal oxygen concentration in the air. The gas itself is harmless, but it creates oxygen-depleted air that causes asphyxiation or suffocation. Therefore, any type of asphyxiating gas can lead to death and in war, it is a deadly Mass destruction weapon.

It has no color and no smell, making it the ultimate silent killer. It causes death by competing with oxygen on the cellular level, and damage in the respiratory system.

2. Tear gases

These riot control agents are basically chemicals that cause temporary pain. The Geneva Convention bans these substances during warfare and not for riot control purpose. It can cause eye irritation, skin issues, and respiratory tract problems.

It has a long legitimate history of usage by law enforcement. Their use is not without risk, but the victims often recover without harm. There is a big difference between the dose for riot control and the amount that will kill.

This toxic substance can lead to severe brain function, causing sedation, unconsciousness, and ultimately death in a high dose. Moreover, the List Of Banned Chemical Weapon recognizes this substance to be lethal in warfare usage.

3. Herbicidal Gas

This chemical substance target the plant-based ecosystem of an area in the purpose to disrupt the agricultural food production. It has a long term effect to any war countries which The Geneva Convention highlight during their discussions.

The ban also specifies “any technique for changing the composition or structure of the Earth’s biota”. However, the convention itself left the much vague interpretation that countries are still debating due to continuous chemical advancement. 

Vietnam War is an example of the application of this substance that effects the Vietnam soil for years. Moreover, there is various color agents act as herbicidal gas Chemicals Used In Vietnam War.

• Agent orange contains 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid and 2,4,5-trichlorophenoxyacetic acid which highly dangerous that kill plants and human.
• Agent purple has a similar component with the orange one but in isobutyl ester form.
• Agent white the ultimate herbicidal that kill the plant, human and pollute the air, water, and soil for years. 

4. Anthrax

Chemicals weapons banned by the Geneva Convention, This bacteriological weapon is heinous and the Geneva Convention considers as an act of crime that again humanity. Even during war, it is a violation of standards of international law. Anthrax is driven from the research of on of Scientists Who Invented And Discovered Other Facts Related To Microorganisms.

This acute illness comes from bacteria that affect animals and kill them, through a human. It enters the body through a scratch, cut or sore and causing blood poisoning and can lead to death.

5. Glanders

This systematic poisonous chemical creates a contagious disease on certain animals such as horses, mules, and donkeys. The chemical substance comes from a bacteria called Actinobacillus Mallei that infects equine animals.  

It kills the infected animals by damaging the upper respiratory tract, the lungs, and the skin. There is no treatment to cure this illness and in most cases, the animals are put to death to ease the pains. 

6. Mustard Gas

Among the many poisonous gases common for warfare is Mustard Gas. It is highly toxic and popular since the World Wars. It has a sulfur base and poses as blister agent that harm the skin and create blisters. Moreover,  mustard gas dispersed from liquid form, and not in gas.

The toxicity of mustard gas is real during the long List Of Chemicals Weapon In Syria that attacks the skin and create irritation also leads to instant painful blister. 

7. Ricin