MoD to Develop New Nerve-Gas Antidotes

By Murdo MacLeod Political Correspondent

THE Ministry of Defence is urging scientists to develop new antidotes against nerve gases.

Defence chiefs have set aside up to GBP 5m to get a new series of anti-nerve gas chemicals into production amid fears that current antidotes will not protect against some nerve agents.

They have invited companies to bid for the contract to supply up to GBP 5m-worth of chemicals known as Hi-6 dimethyl sulphonate (DMS).

Tests in recent years have shown that Hi-6 DMS may be effective against nerve gases for which there has been no antidote until now. However, manufacturing problems have prevented large-scale production of the antidotes.

Defence chiefs are believed to fear that British soldiers might be exposed to nerve gases which might be held by a potential enemy. Even if the gases are not used in combat, disposing of gases at captured labs or factories is hazardous.

In the aftermath of the first Gulf War, UK personnel were exposed to nerve agents when the Khamisiyah chemical depot in Iraq was destroyed.

This incident has been suggested as a possible cause of Gulf War Syndrome.

The MoD research laboratory at Porton Down wants companies to create facilities to produce the antidotes. They have offered to supply GBP 700,000 of public money to help get a suitable plant up- and-running, as part of the deal.

No one from the MoD was available for comment.

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