7/30/2019 Syria Poisonous allegations

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IN MINUTES News and events visually

A human-madechemical warfareagent classified as anerve gas.

Originallydeveloped in 1938 inGermany as apesticide.

Clear, colourlessand tasteless liquid;no odour.

Can evaporate intoa vapour (gas) andspread into theenvironment.

Can be released intothe air.Skin contact, eyecontact, breathing

contaminated air.Can be mixed withwater.Touching or drinkingcontaminated water.

Can be mixed withfood.

Clothing can becontaminatedfor about30 minutes after comingin contact with sarin.

What is sarin? How can yoube exposed?

EGYPT

WEST BANK

GAZA STRIP

DiarrheaIncreased urinationNausea, vomiting,

and/or abdominal pain

CoughChest tightnessRapid breathing

Slow or fast heart rateLow or high blood pressure

Runny noseWatery eyes

Constricted pupilsBlurred vision

DroolingHeadache

ConfusionDrowsinessWeakness

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Loss of consciousnessConvulsions

Paralysis

Respiratory failureleading to death

Chemical agent production

Storage facility

Areas of conflict

Damascus

SYRIALEBANON

TURKEY

IRAQ

JORDAN

CYPRUS

ISRAEL

Homs

Latakia

Aleppo

Hama

Khan AbuShamat

Dumayr

Al Safir

Al Furqlus

MEDITERRANEAN

SEA

Intelligence from both the U.S. and Israel claims that Syrianarmed forces have used chemical weapons againstinsurgents. Syrian ocials deny it.

It is thought Syria may be using sarin

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Nicosia

Sources: Graphic News; CDC; University of Washington; Wikipedia

The Organization for the Prohibition ofChemical Weapons (OPCW) works withthe UN on inspections. So far, Syria hasbeen blocking access to get samples totest for any sarin use.

OPCW has strict rules on how samples aretaken.

Samples can only be taken by OPCWocials.

Multiple samples must be taken.

Blank samples from unexposed matterand tissue are needed to set a baselineagainst which levels of contamination couldbe determined.

The samples are split, sealed and flown indark, cooled air transports to up to threecertified laboratories.

Testing for sarin use in Syria

SUSAN BATSFORD, GRAPHICS EDITOR, TWITTER @SBATS1;INFOGRAPHIC BY MEGAN DINNER/QMI AGENCY

LIKE US ON FACEBOOKFACEBOOK.COM/QMIGRAPHICS

Poisonous allegations1

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DEC. 23, 2012, HOMS: Alleged chemicalweapon attack by Syrian forces kills six,injures 70.

MARCH 19, ATAYBAH: Alleged chemicalweapon attack.

MARCH 19, KHAN AL-ASSAL:Attackat chlorine-gas production plant leaves31 dead, including 10 government soldiers.

MARCH 21: Syria asks UN Secretary-GeneralBan Ki-moon to investigate Khan al-Assal attack.Russia endorses request.

MARCH 25: British and French tell UN that soil

samples and interviews with witnesses suggestgovernment forces used chemical shells.

MARCH 26: Ban Ki-moon appoints Swedishchemical weapons expert professor Ake Sellstromto head UN fact-finding mission to Syria. Team of15 investigators includes analytical chemists andWorld Health Organization experts.

APRIL 23: Israeli militarys top intelligenceanalyst, Brig.-Gen. Itai Brun, claims Syria hasused chemical weapons, probably nerve agentsarin.

APRIL 25: White House says itbelieves with varying degrees ofconfidence that Syriangovernment has used chemicalweapons. British Foreign Oce

echoes White House.APRIL 29: Fact-findingmission stuck in Cypruswhile Syria argues withUN over scope ofinvestigation.

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