Like drowning on dry land
VX is classed as a weapon of mass destruction by the UN, with the V standing for ‘venom’ due to its high toxicity.
The chemical shuts down the nervous system. A victim’s vision blurs and they are left fighting for breath as diaphragm muscles fail. It is said to be like drowning on dry land.
VX vapour is ten times more lethal than the liquid, causing poisoning symptoms in seconds. First synthesised in Britain in the 1950s, VX is up to 150 times more deadly than sarin.