Britannica Sources used in this answer

How were chemical agents delivered by artillery shells, bombs, missiles, and other weapons?

Created from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.

American soldiers in World War I uniforms, some wearing gas masks, advance with rifles during a simulated gas attack exercise on a rocky battlefield. — chemical weapon American soldiers participating in a simulated gas attack exercise, World War I.

Chemical agents are transformed into weapons by being placed into delivery systems such as artillery shells, bombs, missile warheads, mortar shells, land mines, grenades, or spray tanks. To be effective, these agents must be able to withstand the heat generated during the delivery process and remain stable when dispersed into the atmosphere.12

Most traditional chemical weapons contain premixed ingredients. However, modern military technology has introduced "binary weapons," which store ingredients separately and mix them during flight to enhance safety and ease of handling. Once delivered, these agents are typically dispersed as aerosols or liquids to cause toxic effects through inhalation, skin absorption, or ingestion.12

The use of chemical weapons is strictly prohibited under the Chemical Weapons Convention, as they are considered weapons of mass destruction that cause indiscriminate harm. The international community maintains a firm moral stance against their development and use, prioritizing global security and the protection of human life.3