Blood agents are poisons that act on the body by being consumed into the blood (http://emergency.cdc.gov/agent/blood/). There are three known blood agents as identified by the Center for Disease Control: Arsine (SA), Carbon Monoxide (CO), Cyanide, and Sodium monofluoroacetate (compound 1080). I will attempt to discuss in detail how each blood agent enters the body and effects the human body. Blood agents extract from its effect on exposed victims. Blood agents generally enters the body by way of inhalation. It paralyzes the ability of the blood cells to harness and transfer oxygen to the blood. Because the blood agent prevents the transfer of oxygen to the blood, it causes the body to suffocate within.
Arsine
By definition, arsine is has no color, flammable, non-irritating lethal gas with a benign garlic odor. It is generated when arsenic comes in unity with an acid (http://emergency.cdc.gov/agent/arsine/facts.asp). It has been reported that a half-hour exposure to 25-50 ppm can be lethal (Blackwell and Robins, 1979). Clinical signs of arsine present in the body are: abdominal pain, blood in urine, and jaundice. Symptoms that follow showing signs of acute exposure are: headaches, weakness, inability to release bowel, which usually causes vomiting and nausea due to stress on the body. Arsine was investigated as a warfare agent during World War II, but was never used on the battlefield (http://emergency.cdc.gov/agent/arsine/facts.asp). Certain industrial processes that exposed workers to arsine, accidentally, were battery manufacture companies. Most industries had a color system that was used to determine if arsine was present in the air, but it was not suitable to identify personal exposures. A current method has been incorporated to trap the gases on a nitrate infused filter and thus analyzed by X-ray fluorescence. This method is best used to determine personal exposure to arsine. There are no cases of arsine entering the body through the eyes and skin. Because of the great density of arsine than air, it is common that I would fall to lower lying areas to settle. Avoiding possible exposure to arsine can reduce the risk of being overly exposed. To clean the body of arsenic exposure seek medical treatment usually with blood transfusion or dialysis, to cleanse the kidney.
Carbon Monoxide As described by the CDC, is an odorless colorless gas that can cause sudden illness or death if inhaled. And any indoor use exposure to alternators, gasless or gas grills, or propane camp stoves can lead to carbon monoxide poisoning. Because CO is an odorless colorless gas the symptoms of exposure are headaches, dizziness, vomiting and nausea are just a few of the identifiable symptoms. CO poisoning is an estimation of human direct effects on the immune system, blood, central nervous system, and cardiovascular system. CO effects and weakens the oxygen delivery and alters utilization and respiration to levels of the body that need high oxygen levels (like the brain and heart). As with any exposure to gas, it’s recommended that victims remove themselves from the expose area or open doors and windows for fresh air. The CDC warns people to avoid using fuel burning space heaters, furnaces, wood-burning stoves and other appliances that require the use of fuel or wood, should be used outside away from windows.
Cyanide
Cyanide is a chemical that can exist in different forms. Cyanide is a gas without color, it’s often described as having a bitter almond smell, but the smell is not often detected. It is known by the military designations AC (hydrogen cyanide) or cyanogen chloride (http://www.bt.cdc.gov). Cyanide was used in World War I as chemical weapons. The chemical was used by the French military to cause a biological effect. The attempt was unsuccessful because the small amount (less than 3 pounds) of munition was not enough to make the biological effect effective. The cyanide used was quickly evaporated because of the low (less than 1%) lethal effects compared to mustard gas. During World War II, the U.S. maintained an inadequate amount of cyanide munitions. Japan as stated, used cyanide during World War II against China and in 1980, Iraq allegedly used cyanide against the Kurd’s. Cyanide as a “blood agent”, which was introduced during World War I. Cyanide was used as a liquid form of munitions. The vapors of the munition are a hazardous threat to the environment and is detonated in large quantities such as bombs or large shells to get to provide the full effect of the biological effect. The limited effects when used as riot control agent which wounded the skin, the digestive, respiratory, urogenital tract, and inhalation. Once cyanide is inhaled into the body spreads and believed to be carried through the blood, consequently the term “blood agent” was formed. Cyanide ions are pervasive in almost all contiguous living system that permit and need in low absorption (i.e., food and plants).

Sodium monofluoroacetate (compound 1080) Sodium monofluoroacetate (compound 1080) exist in the United States (Texas, New Mexico, Montana, and Wyoming) and in Australia, Brazil, and South Africa. The poison exist in plants found in Australia, Brazil, and South Africa. In accordance with Environmental Agency Protection (EPA) to use 1080 within the United States to prohibited from using the poison without proper training and certification because of the possible harm to endangered species. The discovery of 1080 in livestock in western Australian and South African plants. It was used as a moth restraint in the early 1930’s in Germany. Under different circumstances, the Polish military (1930) conducted a systematic investigation against the Nazi dwelling countries during World War II. After continued research of compound 1080 and other associated compounds, in the 1940’s, the United States developed pest control chemicals intended to kill rodents. The human effect of compound 1080 poisoning include convulsions, vomiting, heart failure and lung failure that blocks oxygen to the body and cause suffocation(#EPA 1995). The compound 1080 immediate reaction is to water and a melting point of 197o-203o Celsius.

REFERENCES http://www.fas.org/nuke/guide/usa/doctrine/army/mmcch/Cyanide.htmeference https://www.health.ny.gov/environmental/emergency/chemical_terrorism/cyanide_general.htm

United States Environmental Protection Agency. 1995. "Reregistration Eligibility Decision for Sodium Fluoroacetate." [Accessed 05-19-11]

www.cdc.gov