Chloropicrin: a chemical compound
Chloropicrin, also known as trichloronitromethane, is a chemical compound with the formula CCl3NO2. It is usually produced by mixing chlorine with ammonia and copper oxide.
At room temperature, it appears as a yellow-green gas, denser than water, with a very irritating and suffocating odor.
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Chloropicrin used as a chemical weapon
This substance was first synthesized in 1848 by the French chemist Théophile-Jules Pelouze. However, it was not until World War I that it found use as a chemical weapon. It was used as tear gas to force soldiers to leave the trenches.
Its use was subsequently documented in other armed conflictsnotably during the Second World War.
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Chloropicrin: a prohibited weapon
The use of this chemical substance in the context of a conflict is prohibited by the Convention on the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons which entered into force in 1997.
However, on May 2, 2024, the United States accused Russia of having used chloropicrin in the war in Ukraine, in violation of the Chemical Weapons Convention (CIWC).
“The use of these chemicals is not an isolated incident in theaters of operations and is likely motivated by the desire of Russian forces to dislodge Ukrainian forces from fortified positions and make tactical advances on the battlefield »wrote the US State Department.
What other jobs?
In addition to its military use, chloropicrin is used in some countries as an agricultural fumigant to combat soil parasites such as nematodes, fungi and insects. It is also applied before planting crops to disinfect the soil and prevent infestations.
Gamekeepers also use it to eliminate species deemed harmful, such as foxes or badgers.
In France, its use was banned in 1991.
Chloropicrin: what effect?
Its use raises human and environmental health concerns.
Chloropicrin is a respiratory irritant and may cause watery eyes, skin irritation, headache, nausea, and difficulty breathing in humans. Its use is regulated in many countries and precautions are taken during its application to protect the health of agricultural workers using it and people living nearby.
Chloropicrin may also have ecological consequences: it may persist in the environment for prolonged periods, which may result in impacts on terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems. Growing concerns about its impact on biodiversity and water quality have led to calls for further restrictions on its use and a search for alternative methods of managing agricultural pests.
