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Synthesis and characterization of derivatives of militarily important substances
Sláma, Michal ; Cigánek, Martin (referee) ; Mravcová, Ludmila (advisor)
The Organization for the prohibition of chemical weapons verifies the adherence to the Chemical weapons convention. To fulfil this objective, it is necessary to have reliable methods for the identification of chemical warfare agents. Gas chromatography is the most important method in analysis of chemical warfare agents. Central database of prohibited substance is yet not complete and is steadily updated over the years. The experimental part of the diploma thesis describes the preparation of alkyl methylphosphonates. Prepared substances were analysed by means of gas chromatography. Mass spectra and retention indices were obtained.
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Prophylactic antidotes against nerve agents in Czech Republic
OTRADOVCOVÁ, Dita
Chemical warfare agents can be currently considered a high risk to humans. Group of nerve agents, is considered the most dangerous. These highly toxic substances have a rapid onset of action, the organism will receive all the entry gates, therapy intoxication is always difficult and death occurs often. The body's resistance to the effects of nerve agents at the expected intoxication increases not only prophylactic administration of antidotes , eg. when working in a contaminated environment after a terrorist attack, but also potentiates the subsequent antidotal therapy after exposure. This thesis is dedicated to gain in depth understanding of nerve agents with aspect of pharmacological prophylaxis. The introduction presents combat toxic substances in general, differentiation due to its effect on human with possible damage to the organism and brief characteristics of every basic type of nerve agents with examples included. Further on the theoretical part focuses on issues of nerve agents. The history of their development and well-known applicationsis breifly mentioned, respectively, abuse in the world. The thesis mentions of the Conventions on the prohibition of chemical weapons in connection with the misuse. Thesis continues dividing type nerve agents, describing the mechanism of action, acute toxicity and its symptoms, diagnosis and therapy of poisoning. Degree, extent and rate of damage to the body caused by nerve agents depends on many factors. A major factor which influences the ultimate toxic effect are taken input. Body damage can be caused, for example. Inhalation administration, contamination of broken or intact skin, ingestion, or hitting the conjunctiva. Since they have nerve agent toxicity and high speed action, protective and preventive measures are an important element to prevent the penetration of substances into the body. The Army of the Czech Republic ensures the protection of personal protective equipment, decontamination of affected skin and pharmacological prophylaxis. Another part of this work is the term prophylaxis and related topics, especially pharmacological prophylaxis. Directions pharmaceutical prophylaxis currently can be divided into three directions - protection against acetylcholinesterase inhibition, administration of antidotes and normal use Scavengers called. "Scavengers". The body's resistance to the effects of nerve agents at the expected intoxication not only increases prophylactic administration of antidotes, but also potentiates the subsequent antidotal therapy after exposure. Prophylactics PANPAL and TRANSANT are in equipment of Czech Army, in the work is devoted more attention to them. Both of these products were developed in the Czech Republic. There are also presented antidotal remedies of first aid, which are available for the Army of the Czech Republic. The practical part of this thesis aims to compare the prophylactic antidotes in the Czech Republic and in selected countries of NATO from four perspectives - onset, prophylactic activities, application forms, and adverse effects. An analysis of the available Czech and foreign professional articles, publications and studies and the subsequent comparative analysis of the various aspects and evaluate various selected countries is used to achieve this goal. These resulting data then point to the position of the Czech Republic in the field of prevention against intoxication by nerve agents - The Army of Czech Republic that has put in service two prophylactic antidotes that achieve the best results investigational products. It may therefore be said that the Army of the Czech Republic currently has a combination of prophylactic best in the world, which is relatively free of side effects has easy application and an unnecessarily long duration of action. This result is even answer the research question - Prophylactic antidotes in the Czech Republic are comparable according to the given parameters with antidotes in selected countries.
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Means for automatic administration of antidotes (autoinjectors)against nerve agents
JONÁŠ, Jindřich
This thesis is dedicated to the topic of the nerve agents with special emphasis on antidotal treatment utilizing application of the auto-injectors. Two methods were used ? literature research and quantitative research. Since this topic covers plenty of information as regards chemical warfare agents and in particular nerve agents these issues were addressed in the theoretical part of the thesis. In the chapter on current status based on literature resources a summary of evolution of the auto-injector is presented; from firsts notes until the situation today. Practical part of the thesis is concentrated on University of Southern Bohemia in ČeskéBudějovice, Faculty of Health and Social Studies students' knowledge in the area of nerve agents. The results of the research were acquired by the method of quantitative research ? questionnaires with 18 questions. With respect to each of the questions a selection of the 2 to 7 answers was offered to the students, whereas in every case only 1 answer was correct. The results were analyzed both with reference to each of the questions and with reference to each of the students. By this method it has been discovered that the respondents have a good knowledge in the area of nerve agents. Furthermore, the practical part of the thesis included an experiment concerning speed with which the respondents were able to apply antidotum with a training auto-injector by themselves with no prior instructions in comparison to how quickly they were able to do the same after being instructed. By this method were tested the quality of the instructions provided to the auto-injectors and its ergonomic qualities (intuitiveness of its application). Recorded times were statistically analyzed and the results, although materially different, were assessed as satisfactory.
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Preparedness of the Integrated Rescue System of the Czech Republic during terroristic misuse of nerve agents
HON, Zdeněk
Using questionnaire enquiry, this diploma thesis tries to find out the level of knowledge of single members of basic rescue bodies involved in the Integrated Rescue System of the Czech Republic in the area of nerve agents and subsequently compare this knowledge of single basic bodies. Another aim, which is based on literature examination and information available, is to suggest an appropriate procedure for Integrated Rescue System action in case of misuse of nerve agents by terrorists. The suggested procedure of activities of bodies involved in the Integrated Rescue System could serve as an example for establishing a model plan of activities of bodies involved the Integrated Rescue System in case of events with suspicion of terrorist attack performed by nerve agents or other highly toxic chemical agents. A comprehensive overview on nerve agents could be used for deepening and broadening of knowledge of single Integrated Rescue System bodies. Although such a terrorist attack has not happened in the Czech Republic yet, it cannot be excluded that it will occur in the future. Hence it is very important so that the Integrated Rescue System is perfectly equipped both materially and technically, and single Integrated Rescue System bodies are trained and educated systematically. It is better to be theoretically and practically well prepared, and never to use this knowledge and skills than to improvise and rely on decision carried out only on the place of disaster.
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The history of chemical wars
HORKÁ, Jana
Chemical weapons count among the weapons of mass destruction. In addition to chemical weapons, also nuclear and biological weapons belong here. Historically, chemical weapons rank among the oldest ones. Their initial steps were made in the distant past, even if they were not called so then. However, the initial utilization of chemical agents against human force is more connected with fire. It was used for protection against attacks of animals as well as people. Later on it was used to protect or capture towns and fortifications. The most extensive use of chemical weapons in war occurred during World War I. A large number of chemical substances was tested, the most important being phosgene. In 1917, German army used vesicant yperite near the town of Ypres. The development of chemical warfare agents continued also after the year 1918. During World War II, chemical weapons were practically not used. If it happened, then on the secondary fronts only. The main reason was the fear of possible retaliation. From 1939 to 1945, huge amounts of chemical warfare agents were made. Towards the end of the war this stockpile amounted to approximately 400 000 tonnes. After World War II, a new stage of chemical armament has begun. The greatest attention was concentrated on nerve agents, sarin, soman and agent VX. Chemical warfare agents have been further used also after the year 1945. In the not so distant past, Iraq used nerve-paralyzing agents and yperite during the Iran-Iraq War (1980 {--} 1988). Last but not least, the use of chemical warfare agents for terrorist purposes is to be mentioned. In January 1993, the global fight against chemical weapons culminated in signing of the Convention on the Prohibition of the Development, Production, Stockpiling and Use of Chemical Weapons and on Their Destruction. Under this Convention, chemical weapons were to be liquidated until the year 2007. States Parties to the Chemical Weapons Convention which did not comply with this deadline have asked for prolongation of the final deadlines for chemical weapons liquidation until 29 April 2012. The question remains if even this prolongation will fulfil the goal of the Convention {--} to ensure a world without chemical weapons. Until the time when the stockpiles of chemical weapons are completely liquidated their possible misuse cannot be excluded. The states which have not joined the Convention as yet and own limited stockpiles of chemical weapons can use them.
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