Lethal Weapons

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