NYT
On the same day that nuclear warheads were mistakenly flying across the nation, the Web quaked for Weapons of Mass Destruction news of a different sort: “Nerve gas” was found at the United Nations in the offices of weapons inspectors who searching Iraq.
Minutes later, the story deflated when the substance in question — phosgene — was rightly identified as a chemical agent.
Today, the story deflated almost completely. According to The Daily News, tests have revealed that the liquid is not phosgene either. Rather, it “may be nothing worse than a cleaning solvent.”
Not that household cleaners aren’t dangerous as well. “In case your mom didn’t tell you, mixing bleach and ammonia can kill you,” About.com advises. The combination results in the release of chlorine gas, which causes “acute damage in the upper and lower respiratory tract” when inhaled.
Chlorine gas was used by both sides in World War I, but fell out of favor as another chemical proved to be a more effective asphyxiant: phosgene.
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