Chemical attack by Russia: what is chloropicrin that was applied against the Armed Forces near Kherson

Chloropicrin was used massively during the First World War and in Afghanistan, but then banned. He was found different use. The Russian army dropped chemical grenades into the Armed Forces of Ukraine, probably with chlorpicrin. Focus found out what a substance is and what it is dangerous for humans. According to the site of the Turkish company Ataman Chemicals, chloropicrin, also known as nitrochloroform, is a colorless or pale yellow oily liquid with a sharp smell.

The substance in 1848 was discovered by Scottish chemist John Stanhous, having arranged a sodium hypochlorite with a picric acid. Today it is produced by nitromethane with sodium hypochloritis or chloroform with nitric acid. The boiling point of pure chlorpicrin is 112 degrees Celsius, poorly dissolved in water, but well - in the andlid, diphosgen and many other poisonous substances. It does not burn, has a higher density than air and very toxic. Molecular weight - 164. 38 g/mol. Formula: CSL3NO2.

When contact, chloropicrin causes severe inflammation of the eyes, nose, throat, respiratory tract. It works effectively as tear gas, quickly deprives a person of combat capability, but in high concentration (2 mg/l at an exposure of 10 min) can lead to death. In addition, the chemical poisons water and soldiers. Due to the poisonous properties, the substance was used in large quantities during the First World War and accumulated during the Second World War, and used it in Afghanistan.

It is currently forbidden for military purposes in accordance with the Convention on the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons on a par with phosgen, chlorician and hydrocyanic acid. The use of chloropicrin in hostilities has also ceased due to low toxicity compared to other poisonous substances and a strong irritant effect, which allows you to quickly identify the use of chemical weapons and neutralize the effect.

However, for a long time the substance was used to train the military and check chemical protection. It has proven itself as an effective insecticide and nematocide, so it is used to smoke grain and soil to destroy insects, fungi, rodents and other pests. The chloropicrin pair at a concentration of 0. 8 mg/l kills a coom, at a concentration of 4 mg/l - 95% of the death of small flour cartilage, and a concentration of 5 mg/l is completely deadly for bed bug.

Chloropicrin is allowed to use in the US agriculture as a soil fumigant, but is forbidden in the EU. Chloropicrin also protects the wood from decay from the inside. High volatility, even at low temperatures, allows the substance to be used at any time of the year, even in winter. Earlier there was information that the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation used chlorpikrin against the Ukrainian military in the Kherson region.