Tab A – Acronyms, Abbreviations, and Glossary
This tab provides a listing of acronyms and abbreviations found in this report. Additionally, the glossary section provides definitions for selected technical terms that are not found in common usage.
Acronyms and Abbreviations
| CIA | Central Intelligence Agency |
| CW | chemical warfare |
| CWA | chemical warfare agent |
| DIA | Defense Intelligence Agency |
| MASH | mobile army surgical hospital |
| NBC | nuclear, biological, and chemical |
| SITREP | situation report |
| US | United States |
| USAMRICD | US Army Medical Research Institute of Chemical Defense |
| USCENTCOM | United States Central Command |
| Blister agent | A blister agent is a chemical warfare agent that produces local irritation and damage to the skin and mucous membranes, pain and injury to the eyes, reddening and blistering of the skin, and when inhaled, damage to the respiratory tract. Blister agents include mustards, arsenicals like lewisite, and mustard and lewisite mixtures. Blister agents are also called vesicants or vesicant agents.[48] |
| Blood agent | A blood agent is a chemical warfare agent that is inhaled and absorbed into the blood, carrying the agent to all body tissues where it interferes with the tissue oxygenation process. The brain is especially affected. The effect on the brain leads to cessation of respiration followed by cardiovascular collapse.[49] |
| Chemical warfare agent | A chemical warfare agent is a chemical substance, excluding riot control agents, herbicides, smoke, and flame, used in military operations to kill, seriously injure, or incapacitate though its physiological effects. Included are blood, nerve, blister, choking, and incapacitating agents.[50] |
| Conventional weapon | A conventional weapon is a weapon that is neither nuclear, biological, nor chemical.[51] |
| Mustard | A mustard agent is a blister chemical warfare agent that produces local irritation and damage to the skin and mucous membranes, pain and injury to the eyes, reddening and blistering of the skin, and when inhaled, damage to the respiratory tract.[52] |
| Napalm | Napalm is a powdered aluminum soap or similar compound used to gelatinize oil or gasoline for use in napalm bombs or flame throwers, or the resultant gelatinized substance.[53] |
| Nerve agents | Nerve agents are the most toxic of the chemical warfare agents. Nerve agents are absorbed into the body through breathing, by injection, or absorption through the skin. They affect the nervous and the respiratory systems and various body functions.[54] |
| Riot control agent | A riot control agent is a chemical that produces transient effects that disappear within minutes after exposure and rarely require medical treatment. Riot control agents are effective in quelling civil disturbances and in preventing unnecessary loss of life.[55] |
| White Phosphorus | White phosphorus is a form of phosphorus which creates spectacular bursts when used in artillery shells and is very damaging to the skin since it burns on exposure to oxygen.[56] |
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