Time Magazine April 07, 2003
Lethal Weapons
In case of Iraqi chemical or biological attacks, U.S. ground forces have special protective gear--but only a few minutes to put it on before it's too late
By Missy Adams and Laura Bradford
Joint Service Lightweight Integrated Suit Technology
Also known as JSLIST, it is simply a hooded jacket and trousers made of special lightweight fabric that soldiers can wear over their regular uniforms. They also don overboots, protective rubber gloves and a mask
The suit is made of a water-repellent nyloncotton shell laminated to layers of carbon spheres that absorb chemical and biological agents and are bonded to a knit back
Iraq's toxic options
Iraq has possessed both chemical and biological agents, but U.S. war planners think Saddam is more likely to attack with the former because they act faster to debilitate soldiers. Some examples:
VX
An odorless, oily, amber liquid that could be sprayed from the air or dispersed to contaminate ground areas
HOW IT KILLS It blocks the transmission of impulses down the body's central nervous system, causing convulsions, respiratory paralysis and death. It penetrates through the skin, eyes or respiratory system
SYMPTOMS
Runny nose, pinpoint pupils, drooling, sweating and nausea
LETHAL DOSE
10 mg (a drop) on skin, 50 mg inhaled
MUSTARD GAS
Appears brown or yellow and smells like garlic or mustard. Could be put in artillery shells, sprayed or poured on the ground
HOW IT KILLS
Vapor inhalation or skin exposure causes painful, long-lasting blisters all over the body. But fewer than 1 out of 10 of those exposed dies
SYMPTOMS
Red and itchy skin, runny nose, sneezing, shortness of breath. Longterm effects include lung and respiratory cancer
LETHAL DOSE
4,500 mg on skin, 1,500 mg inhaled
SARIN
A nerve agent like VX, it is a toxic, odorless vapor that could be sprayed from the air or dispersed using artillery shells
HOW IT KILLS
It penetrates through skin, eye or respiratory- system contact. In liquid form, mixes easily with water
SYMPTOMS
At low levels it causes severe headaches, sweating, drooling and chest tightness. At higher doses, it may bring on vomiting, convulsions and respiratory failure
LETHAL DOSE
1,700 mg on skin, 70 mg inhaled
Sources: AP, U.S. Army, Marine Corps Systems Command, GlobalSecurity.org, CDC, Center for Defense Information and U.S. Institute of Peace
GRAPHIC: COLOR ILLUSTRATION: TIME GRAPHIC BY LON TWEETEN, Integral hood Mask Velcro closure Highwaisted trousers Rubber overboots Jacket Rubber gloves SKIN, NYLON TRICOT, CARBON LAYERS, WATER REPELLENT SHELL, GAS
Copyright © 2003, Time Inc.
