Facts for Prelims (FFP)
Source: Th
Context: The U.S. accuses Russia of using the chemical compound chloropicrin against Ukrainian forces, violating the Chemical Weapons Convention.
What is Chloropicrin?
Chloropicrin is a chemical compound ( it is a colourless to yellow oily liquid; highly volatile and is a gas at room temperature) used as both a chemical weapon and a pesticide. It poses health risks when inhaled, causing irritation, tears, and vomiting. Originally developed as a poison gas during World War I, it is also employed as an antimicrobial agent, herbicide, and nematicide. Chloropicrin is highly toxic and carcinogenic, and its use as a weapon is a violation of international conventions.
Regulations in place for Chemical Weapons:
| Regulation | Details |
| Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC) | Entered into force in 1997. It Prohibits the development, production, stockpiling, and use of chemical weapons. It Monitors the elimination of chemical weapons. |
| India is a signatory and party, and it enacted the Chemical Weapons Convention Act, 2000. | |
| Geneva Protocol 1925 | Prohibits the use of chemical and biological weapons in conflicts. |
| Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) | Headquartered in Hague, Netherlands. It implements the Chemical Weapons Convention. Its mission is to achieve a world free of chemical weapons. |
| It has 193 members including India. It was awarded the Nobel Prize for Peace in 2013 for efforts to eliminate chemical weapons. |
