TOXINS

Toxins are poisonous substances produced as by-products of microorganisms (the pathogens), plants or animals. Some toxins can be chemically synthesized and some can be artificially produced with bioengineering techniques. Toxins exert their lethal or incapacitating effects by interfering with certain cell and tissue functions. Basically, there are toxins that disrupt nerve impulses (neurotoxins) and toxins that destroy cell by disrupting cell respiration and metabolism (cytotoxins). There is a vast range of signs and symptoms with both toxin types. These sign and symptoms can be confused with both chemical and pathogen signs and symptoms.
The neurotoxins tend to be quick acting and produce nerve agent-like symptoms in seconds to hours. Symptoms of neurotoxin poisoning range from mental confusion, loss of balance, and vision problems, to a limp paralysis or convulsive-type seizures leading to coma and death.
Cytotoxins tend to be slower acting and produce chocking, blistering or even radiation-like symptoms in hours to days. Signs range from skin lesions such as ulcerations or blisters to vomiting, diarrhea, coughing, and chocking (the latter thee signs may be accompanied by bloody discharges) to marked weakness, coma and death.
Toxins are thousands of times more toxic than nerve agents. This enables toxins to exert their effects, even though diluted by extensive downwind or downstream travel. Many toxins are resistant to the denaturing effects of high temperatures; many potential warfare toxins are resistant to hydrolysis (a chemical reaction in which water reacts with a compound to produce other compounds; involves the splitting of a bond and the addition of the hydrogen cation and the hydroxide anion from the water), and many are resistant to the breakdown or denaturing effects of ultraviolet radiation. Some toxins can last from days to weeks. Some toxins, in particular cytotoxins, can cause delayed effects. Unlike microorganisms, which are living agents, toxins's delay is not caused by a growth in number phase. The delay is caused from cell exposure to time until the function of the body cell is disrupted, and, besides, many toxins have a cumulative effect. Repeated exposure to small amounts (less than incapacitating or lethal effective dose) can add up to an incapacitating or lethal effective dose.
Toxins can cover larger areas than those covered by chemical aerosols. Compared to the pathogens they are extremely toxic and lightweight, particularly if employed in an aerosol. However, being chemical rather than living, toxins are not infectious, contagious, nor capable of self reproduction.