Table 3.
Overview of the gradual increase in toxicity of CWA. LCt50, median lethal concentration; LD50, median lethal dose.
| Introduction | CWA | LCt50 (mg·min/m3), Inhalation | LD50 (mg/70 kg), Percutaneous (Liquid) | LCt50 (mg·min/m3), Percutaneous (Vapor) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1915 | Chlorine | 10,000 | - | - |
| 1915 (1916) | Phosgene (diphosgene) | 3,200 | - | - |
| 1916 | Hydrogen cyanide | 2,500 | - | - |
| 1917 | H, HD | 1,000 | 1,400 | 10,000 |
| 1918 | L | 1,000 | 1,400 | 5,000 |
| 1930s | HN | 1,000 | 1,400 | 10,000 |
| 1930s–1940s | GA | 70 | 1,500 | 15,000 |
| 1930s–1940s | GB | 35 | 1,700 | 12,000 |
| 1940s | GD | 35 | 350 | 3,000 |
| 1950s | VX | 15 | 5 | 150 |