INTRODUCTION

Tabun gas is a non-persistent agent usually in liquid state, unlike VX.Yet it is all the more deadly, due to its colorless,odorless physical characteristics making difficult to detect by people.It was the very first nerve agent to be discovered by Dr Gerhar Schrader in 1937 and is the easiest chemical agent to manufacture in mass quantities to date.This is the main reason why developing nations begin their chemical weaponisation programmes and development of arsenal with Tabun.Tabun had its inaugural appearance during the Iran-Iraq war, where the latter used it to kill thousands of Iranian soldiers until 1988.

Tabun has the same effect as VX or most chemical agents for that matter, but the extent of damage to the victim varies on several factors like temperature, wind, air pressure,concentration,type of chemical compound and method of delivery.

Symptoms of exposure to low doses of Tabun gas include irritation of intestinal tract and runny nose.As the exposure prolongs and rises, symptoms like intestinal cramps,vomitting and tightening of the diaphragm get worse.Death, of course, is the usual consequence of such a fatal exposure.

Tabun, like most nerve agents, inhibit the acetylcholinesterase enzyme that allows the neurotransmitter acetylcholine substrate to bind at its active site and form a temporary ES-complex, which normally dissociates into the new product and a free enzyme.

However, due to the inhibition of the acetylcholinesterase enzyme, the substrate cannot bind at the active site as its 3D molecular configuration has changed and acetylcholine is allowed to accumulate, stimulating the muscle to cramp up and tighten.The victim's body "curls up" and he/she collapses.Due to the inhibition of the enzyme, organ and muscular hyperactivity can occur depending on the concentration of Tabun to which the victim was exposed to as well as the path taken by Tabun gas to enter the body.

The significance of emergency and fisrt aid procedures to a victim of the nerve gas attack cannot be further emphasised, especially in scenarios like unexpected terrorist attack or even in the midst of a warzone.Such initial treatment can make a difference between life and death, as past incidents have proven.On exposure to Tabun, the victim should be assisted to wear a gas mask immediately and administer the three antidotes in rapid succession and if there was eye contact with the gas, the victim's eyes must be washed with clean water.

Contaminated clothing should be removed and the body has to be rinsed with a solution of 10% sodium carbonate in water and a liberal amount of soap.It is also important to give an intramuscular injection to ease any excessive tension in the muscles and of course you can't just leave him there! The victim should be brought to hospital as the above steps take place.It is only then, that the person exposed to Tabun gas has a chance of escaping permanent respiratory damage even surviving from death.

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