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Sarin is a powerful, fast acting toxic chemical, exclusively used as a nerve gas. It played a role in the opening stages of the Great World War II. It is estimated that the lethality of Sarin is several hundred times that of cyanide.

[edit] Effects on human health

The effect on the body is severe; on a microscopic level, Sarin inhibits the function of certain nuerotransmitters, which allow a muscle or organ to relax after an impulse to work has been sent. As the enzyme is blocked, the synapses continue to operate as if all nerve impulses are coninuously transmitted. In terms of symptoms, originally there is pain in the chest, then the victim rapidly begins losing control of bodily functions. Then, the victim loses conciousness and suffocates.

Sarin can be absorbed through the lungs or the skin, and .01 mg per Kg of body weight is sufficient to be lethal. According to recovered Soviet briefing footage, Marshall Gradenko's forces had found that, on average, death occured within a minute after exposure.

[edit] Development history

Sarin was first discovered by German scientists researching pesticides in 1938. It was by far the deadliest of the G-series nerve agents made in Germany. The name came from the initials of it's inventors.

The Soviet Union acquired the formula, and began mass producing huge stockpiles of the weapon. Joseph Stalin had originally planned for it to be used during his movements into Europe, however, a field commander under the direct orders of American General George Carville destroyed the production facility and captured most of the Soviet arsennal. Stalin blamed this on Gradenko.

Sarin, along with other chemical and biological agents, was banned by international treaties from use as a weapon.