VX (nerve Agent) - Biological Effects

Biological Effects

Further information: Nerve agent biological effects and treatment

VX is the most toxic nerve agent ever synthesized for which activity has been independently confirmed. The median lethal dose (LD₅₀) for humans is estimated to be about 10 milligrams through skin contact and the LCt₅₀ for inhalation is estimated to be 30–50 mg·min/m³.

Early symptoms of percutaneous exposure (skin contact) may be local muscular twitching or sweating at the area of exposure followed by nausea or vomiting. Some of the early symptoms of a VX vapor exposure to nerve agent may be rhinorrhea (runny nose) and/or tightness in the chest with shortness of breath (bronchial constriction). Miosis (pinpointing of the pupils) may be an early sign of agent exposure but is not usually used as the only indicator of exposure.