Poisonous gas, also known as toxic gas, refers to any gaseous substance that is harmful or deadly when inhaled or otherwise absorbed into the body. These gases can act through various mechanisms, including displacing oxygen (asphyxiants) or through more complex toxic effects. The severity of their effects depends on factors like concentration, exposure duration, and the specific gas involved.
Types and Effects of Poisonous Gases
Several categories of poisonous gases exist, with varying health impacts:
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Asphyxiants: These gases displace oxygen, preventing the body from obtaining sufficient oxygen for survival. A prime example is carbon dioxide, which can accumulate in low-lying areas near volcanoes, creating a lethal risk to humans and animals (USGS).
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Toxic Gases: These gases exert their effects through different mechanisms, causing direct cellular damage or interfering with vital bodily functions. Examples include chlorine, nitrogen dioxide, and phosgene, well-known toxic gases (Wikipedia). Other examples include hydrogen sulfide, hydrogen fluoride, methyl chloride, and monomethylamine (University of Illinois).
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Chemical Warfare Agents: Poisonous gases have been historically used as chemical weapons, inflicting agonizing suffering and death (UNODA). The first recorded large-scale use was in World War I (National WWI Museum and Memorial), with substances like dichloro(2-chlorovinyl)arsine, a highly toxic liquid whose vapor poses a severe risk (Britannica).
The decomposition of waste materials like urine and feces, as well as fuel-burning heaters, can also generate toxic gases (ScienceDirect). Depending on the concentration and environment, these gases can be corrosive, flammable, and highly lethal (GDS Corp).
Many different sources list and describe many poisonous gases. Their uses are varied from industrial processes to chemical warfare, and their effects can range from mild irritation to death.
The Merriam-Webster dictionary defines poison gas as "a poisonous gas or a liquid or a solid giving off poisonous vapors designed (as in chemical warfare) to kill,…"
