Chemical security

Agent BZ: Top Five Things to Know About New Chemical Found in Skripal Sample

Spiez Laboratory's report that it found traces of the NATO military-grade incapacitating agent BZ in its sample of the chemical used in the Skripal attack has left people in the UK and around the world rushing to find out more. Having dug through all the details, Sputnik has compiled everything you need to know about BZ.

Discovered in 1951

BZ, known chemically as 3-Quinuclidinyl benzilate, is a hallucinogenic chemical warfare agent discovered by Swiss pharmaceutical company Hoffman-LaRoche in 1951. Chemists discovered it accidentally while working to create an ulcer medication.

Powerful Hallucinogen

The mostly non-lethal agent is colorless, odorless, and practically insoluble in water, and very powerful. When used as an aerosol (the most common method of application), BZ is absorbed through the respiratory system; it can also be absorbed through the skin or digestive system. It takes about one hour for the agent to begin to take effect, with peak effect reached after 8-10 hours.

According to the Handbook of Toxicology and Chemical Warfare (2015), less than one milligram of BZ administered orally results in incapacitation for several days. Symptoms of exposure to the drug include delirium, tremors, stupor, hallucinations, "and coma that can last for more than 2 days." Other symptoms include paranoia and mania.