December 17, 1998. Copyright, 1998, Graphic News. All rights reserved


LONDON, December 17, Graphic News: SADDAM HusseinÕs cache of deadly arsenal comprises nerve gases, bacteria and other biological and chemical agents.
Iraq says its entire stockpile has been destroyed Ð a claim UN investigators say Saddam has failed to prove.
The invisible arsenal it has produced include:

Aflaxtoxin; a toxic mould that grows on nuts and other crops and contaminates food. A carcinogenic agent, it is linked to liver cancer and jaundice. Iraq estimates it has produced 581 gallons.

Anthrax: A bacterial disease that mainly affects cattle and sheep. Dust-sized spores can remain active in soil and water for many years. It produces a deadly infection that kills its victims within days to weeks. Up to 10,000 spores Ð the size of a speck of dust Ð is considered a lethal dose. Iraq has disclosed producing 2,245 gallons but investigators suspect they have three times that amount.

Botulinum Toxin: One of the most powerful poisons known to man and produced by a food poisoning microbe. Causes acute muscular paralysis within 12-72 hours and death within two to three days. Iraq disclosed producing 5,125 gallons, but inspectors estimate the actual production to be double that.

Ricin: Toxin derived from castor bean plants. Produces a severe breakdown of lung tissue when inhaled, causing pneumonia and death. Iraq says it has produced 2.7 gallons. Ricin was used in the assassination of Bulgarian exile Georgi Markov, who was stabbed with a poisoned umbrella tip in London in 1978.

Sarin: A colourless, odourless nerve gas which causes breathing difficulties, convulsions and coma. It can kill within minutes after skin or eye contact or inhalation of vapour. Iraq says it has produced up to 150 tons but investigators believe it has more than 200 tons. Sarin was released by Japanese terrorist group Aum Shinri Kyo on the Tokyo subway in March 1995, killing 12 and injuring over 5,000.

VX: A colourless and odourless nerve gas which causes paralysis by poisoning the nervous system. A drop on the skin can kill within minutes. Iraq has disclosed producing four tons but investigators say Iraq has obtained enough chemicals to make more than 400 tons.

Iraq has also conducted research on other biological agents, including Clostridium Perfringens, a gas gangrene that causes flesh to rot. Another, Tricothecene Mycotoxins, produce nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea and skin irritation. Wheat Cover Smut is a contaminant that produces a black fungal growth on food grains. Haemorrhagic Conjunctivitis is a virus that causes extreme pain and temporary blindness. Camel pox virus is a virus that causes fever and skin rashes in camels. 
/ENDS

Sources: Reuters, Associated Press