Chemical weapons have been a dreaded aspect of modern warfare for decades. These deadly substances have the power to transform entire battlefields into scenes of human misery.
In this article, we explore the dark world of chemical warfare and discuss the top ten deadliest chemical weapons in history.
1. Mustard Gas
Mustard gas is perhaps the most infamous chemical weapon from World War I. This yellow-green gas has a devastating effect on the body. When inhaled or in contact with the skin, it causes severe burns and blisters, as well as blindness and respiratory problems.
The gruesome aspect of mustard gas is that the symptoms often appear hours after exposure, meaning the victim has already received a significant dose before realizing they are poisoned.
2. Sarin
Sarin is an organophosphate and one of the deadliest nerve gases ever developed. It works by disrupting the nervous system and blocking communication between nerves and muscles.
This leads to paralysis, respiratory failure, and ultimately death. Sarin is particularly dangerous because it can be absorbed through both inhalation and skin contact.
3. VX
VX is another nerve gas, but even more potent than Sarin. A small drop on the skin can be fatal. VX disrupts the function of an essential enzyme in the nervous system, leading to uncontrollable muscle contractions, paralysis, and respiratory arrest.
This gas is colorless and odorless, making it difficult to detect without special equipment.
4. Tabun
Tabun was the first nerve gas to be produced and used on a large scale during World War II. It has similar effects to Sarin and VX but is less potent.
Nevertheless, it is still an extremely dangerous weapon. Tabun can block nerve function, leading to spasms, paralysis, and death by suffocation.
5. Soman
Soman is another nerve gas from the organophosphate family and is known for its rapid action. Within seconds of exposure, the nervous system can be disrupted, leading to convulsions, paralysis, and respiratory failure.
The rapid action of Soman makes it particularly terrifying because there is hardly any time for countermeasures.
6. Phosgene
Phosgene was first used during World War I and is responsible for the most deaths caused by chemical weapons in that war. It is a colorless gas with a smell resembling that of rotten fish.
Phosgene severely damages the lungs, leading to fluid buildup and suffocation. The effects of phosgene can occur hours or even days after exposure, making it a treacherous weapon.
7. Chlorine Gas
Chlorine gas is one of the first chemical weapons to be used on a large scale, especially during World War I. The gas is yellow-green in color and has a pungent, irritating odor.
When inhaled, chlorine gas causes severe irritation of the airways, which can lead to suffocation and death. The effects are quickly noticeable, but chlorine gas is less deadly than some of the other gases on this list.
8. Zyklon B

Zyklon B gained horrific fame as the primary agent used in the gas chambers of Nazi concentration camps. Originally intended as an insecticide, it proved to be a highly effective and deadly method of killing large numbers of people. Zyklon B is released in gas form and causes suffocation, leading to death within minutes.
9. Agent Orange
Agent Orange was an herbicide and defoliant used by the U.S. military during the Vietnam War. It contained a mix of 2,4-D and 2,4,5-T, the latter of which was contaminated with TCDD, one of the most toxic dioxins.
The consequences of exposure to Agent Orange have been catastrophic, with thousands of cases of cancer, birth defects, and other severe health problems among both Vietnamese civilians and American veterans.
10. Novichok
Novichok is a relatively new player in the world of chemical weapons, developed in the 1970s and 1980s by the Soviet Union. It is a group of nerve agents that are many times more lethal than Sarin and VX.
Novichok is designed to evade detection and countermeasures, making it a particularly dangerous weapon in modern times. It can be administered through various routes, including food or drink, and the symptoms are similar to those of other nerve gases: paralysis, respiratory failure, and ultimately death.
Novichok gained worldwide notoriety due to the attacks on former Russian spy Sergei Skripal and his daughter Yulia in Salisbury, England, in 2018. Both survived the attack, but the incident led to international outrage and sanctions against Russia. The poisoning of Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny in 2020 has also been attributed to Novichok. Navalny survived the attack after treatment in Germany, but the incidents have once again highlighted the deadly effectiveness and political implications of Novichok as a chemical weapon.