Syria used Sarin Chemical Weapon?
The United Nations has investigated reports that the Syrian Government has used sarin in the ongoing Syrian civil war. The use of this deadly chemical weapon has been confirmed by French officials. According to French officials, the sarin gas has been used by the Syrian Government.
However, the independent commission of inquiry on Syria appointed by United Nations has not yet seen evidence of government forces having used this chemical weapon. The number of casualties from the alleged attack is still unclear. Estimates have ranged from dozens to 1,300 killed. Both the Syrian government and army have tirelessly denied that such an attack took place.
Sarin, or GB It is a colorless, odorless liquid used as a chemical weapon owing to its extreme potency as a nerve agent. It has been classified as a weapon of mass destruction in UN Resolution 687. Production and stockpiling of sarin was outlawed by the Chemical Weapons Convention of 1993.
The Convention was signed by 162 member countries, banning the production and stockpiling of many chemical weapons, including sarin. It went into effect on 29 April 1997, and called for the complete destruction of all specified stockpiles of chemical weapons by April 2007.
Sarin was developed in 1938 in Germany as a pesticide. The vapor is slightly heavier than air, so it can hover close to the ground. Under wet and humid weather conditions, Sarin degrades swiftly, but as the temperature rises up to a certain point, Sarin’s lethal duration increases, despite the humidity. Initial symptoms following exposure to sarin are a runny nose, tightness in the chest and constriction of the pupils.
Soon after, the victim has difficulty breathing and experiences nausea and drooling. As the victim continues to lose control of bodily functions, the victim vomits, defecates and urinates. It can cause difficulty in thinking as well.
To make it clear - Sarin is estimated to be over 500 times more toxic than cyanide.(Wikipedia)
This post contains the world current affairs of August 2013. These are short current affairs 2013 notes for quick review.
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