Kim Jong Nam, the half-brother of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, appears to have been killed in Malaysia by a highly toxic nerve agent called VX.
The VX nerve agent is the most powerful of the known chemical warfare agents. It is a clear, amber, greasy liquid that is tasteless and odorless.
Image source Wikimedia
The agent acts by penetrating the skin and disrupting the transmission of nerve impulses – a drop on the skin can kill in minutes. Lower doses may cause eye pain, blurred vision, drowsiness and vomiting.
VX can be spread in spray or vapor when used as a chemical weapon or used to contaminate water, food and agricultural products.
It can be absorbed into the body by inhalation, ingestion, skin contact or eye contact.
Clothes can wear VX for about 30 minutes after contact with money that may expose other people.
VX is banned by the 1993 UN Chemical Weapons Convention.
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