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To: SandRat

Good point.......but I believe the pesticides you're refering to are generally in the catagory of cholinesterase inhibitors which is more a function of having effects on the nervous system which in turn can affect the muscles.

Pesticides or chemicals which are cholinesterase inhibtors are in two catagories....reversable and not.

An overdose/exposure of the organophosphates you spoke of creates all kinds of malfunctions in the body and could, in my opinion, be very effective on the battle field where a person must be absolutely alert.

I've been wondering why nobody broached the question of pesticides found in Iraq being used for more nefarious perposes?

Some of the older pesticides, pretty much outlawed in most countries, are coumpounds of a organic-cholorine combination (example; Chlordane). Heating these to a temp of about 500 degrees can create the highly toxic phosgene gas.

Keep in mind too, pesticides encompasses a variety of coumpounds. Loosely speaking a pesticide is any chemical that creates a hostile environment for living organisms, prevents the growth of living organisms or kills living organisms.

Hence, pesticides include fungicides, herbicides/weed killers, insecticides, rodenticides, not to mention disinfectants, biocides, sanitizers, slimacides, ect.

I worked for a chemical company for almost 30 years and at one time held a private applicators license.....it's been a while so I don't claim the above is absolutely correct....but y'all get the idea. Somebody should have held the found pesticides up to a greater scrutiny.



21 posted on 09/26/2004 7:11:35 PM PDT by Smartaleck
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To: Smartaleck

The pesticides TEPP, parathion, malathion, and a host of other organophosphate insecticides are all, like CW nerve agent irreversible cholinesterase agonists. As I pointed out the Canadian intelligence service, in publicly available documents, expressed the view that TEPP and parathion were almost as deadly as 'their military counterparts' (meaning, I think sarin and tabun, since, VX is much more toxic). Other sources, as I pointed out estimate the toxicity of skin exposure to TEPP as being essentially the same as for sarin.


22 posted on 09/26/2004 8:01:19 PM PDT by The_Reader_David (And when they behead your own people in the wars which are to come, then you will know what this was)
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To: Smartaleck
We're both scratching our memory tables but you're correct on the inhibitors. I was taught at chem school atropine mixed with pan2chloride as a catalyst at a 2mg dosage for Sarin, GD, and VX.

Phosgene you're just out of luck if you inhale a big enough dose. Blister agents inhaled you can live through but don't really want to it make emphysema look desirable.

In chem school we got to work with live nerve, choking, and blister agents just to gain a confidence in our protective gear, decon procedures and the antidotes.
23 posted on 09/26/2004 9:25:30 PM PDT by SandRat (Duty, Honor, Country. What else needs to be said?)
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