Abstract

JAUREGUI-LOBERA, Ignacio. Chemical warfare in World War I and II. JONNPR [online]. 2020, vol.5, n.2, pp.218-235.  Epub Sep 14, 2020. ISSN 2529-850X.  https://dx.doi.org/10.19230/jonnpr.3388.

The objective of this review is to analyze the use of chemical warfare during the two great World Wars of the twentieth century. The review of the current literature will also allow to know if the reasons for its use persist at present, what level of development chemical weapons have reached and if there is a scientific and technical potential to increase this development. First of all, a searching procedure for scientific articles was carried out, and, secondly, thematic areas were established in order to expose the results (chemical agents, chemical weapons, general effects of chemical agents, chemical risk and possible defense against chemical attack). The misuse of chemical science has given rise to these painful events (the preparation and use of chemical weapons). But it would be necessary to consider many other aspects such as medicines, insecticides, herbicides, preservatives, disinfectants, and others, in which chemistry has been the solution to complex problems that guarantee a significant improvement in living conditions. Once again, chemistry is not really to blame; they are ethical and sociological dilemmas, mixed with political leaders, that make a science to be used in a responsible way for the good of humanity or, on the contrary, as a destructive weapon.

Keywords : Chemical warfare; Chemical weapons; World wars; Injuries due to chemical weapons; Chemical defense; Terrorism.

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