3-Quinuclidinyl benzilate

For information on chemical warfare incapacitating agents see the ERG Criminal or Terrorist Use of CBR Agents. (ERG, 2024)；Excerpt from ERG Guide 153 [Substances - Toxic and/or Corrosive (Combustible)]:；SMALL FIRE: Dry chemical, CO2 or water spray.；LARGE FIRE: Dry chemical, CO2, alcohol-resistant foam or water spray. If it can be done safely, move undamaged containers away from the area around the fire. Dike runoff from fire control for later disposal.；FIRE INVOLVING TANKS, RAIL TANK CARS OR HIGHWAY TANKS: Fight fire from maximum distance or use unmanned master stream devices or monitor nozzles. Do not get water inside containers. Cool containers with flooding quantities of water until well after fire is out. Withdraw immediately in case of rising sound from venting safety devices or discoloration of tank. ALWAYS stay away from tanks in direct contact with flames. (ERG, 2024)

- QNB is combustible.；- The agent may burn but does not ignite readily.；- Fire may produce irritating, corrosive, and/or toxic gases.；- The agent may be transported in a molten form.；- For small fires, use dry chemical, carbon dioxide, or water spray.；- For large fires, use dry chemical, carbon dioxide, alcohol-resistant foam, or water spray. Move containers from the fire area if it is possible to do so without risk to personnel. Dike fire control water for later disposal; do not scatter the material.；- For fire involving tanks or car/trailer loads, fight the fire from maximum distance or use unmanned hose holders or monitor nozzles. Do not get water inside containers. Cool containers with flooding quantities of water until well after the fire is out. Withdraw immediately in case of rising sound from venting safety devices or discoloration of tanks. Always stay away from tanks engulfed in fire.；- Run-off from fire control or dilution water may be corrosive and/or toxic, and it may cause pollution.；- If the situation allows, control and properly dispose of run-off (effluent).

For information on chemical warfare incapacitating agents see the ERG Criminal or Terrorist Use of CBR Agents. (ERG, 2024)；Excerpt from ERG Guide 153 [Substances - Toxic and/or Corrosive (Combustible)]:；Refer to the "General First Aid" section. Specific First Aid: For corrosives, in case of contact, immediately flush skin or eyes with running water for at least 30 minutes. Additional flushing may be required. Removal of solidified molten material from skin requires medical assistance. (ERG, 2024)

For information on chemical warfare incapacitating agents see the ERG Criminal or Terrorist Use of CBR Agents. (ERG, 2024)；Excerpt from ERG Guide 153 [Substances - Toxic and/or Corrosive (Combustible)]:；ELIMINATE all ignition sources (no smoking, flares, sparks or flames) from immediate area. Do not touch damaged containers or spilled material unless wearing appropriate protective clothing. Stop leak if you can do it without risk. Prevent entry into waterways, sewers, basements or confined areas. Absorb or cover with dry earth, sand or other non-combustible material and transfer to containers. DO NOT GET WATER INSIDE CONTAINERS. (ERG, 2024)

Principles and methods for destruction of chemical weapons: ... "Destruction of chemical weapons" means a process by which chemicals are converted in an essentially irreversible way to a form unsuitable for production of chemical weapons, and which in an irreversible manner renders munitions and other devices unusable as such. ... Each ... /nation/ shall determine how it shall destroy chemical weapons, except that the following processes may not be used: dumping in any body of water, land burial or open-pit burning. It shall destroy chemical weapons only at specifically designated and appropriately designed and equipped facilities. ... Each ... /nation/ shall ensure that its chemical weapons destruction facilities are constructed and operated in a manner to ensure the destruction of the chemical weapons; and that the destruction process can be verified under the provisions of this Convention.

Inhalation: remove individual from exposure immediately; start resuscitation and administer oxygen if breathing is irregular or has stopped; seek medical attention immediately. Eye Contact: flush eyes with water for at least 15 minutes; do not rub eyes; seek medical attention immediately. Skin Contact: wash from skin and clothing with water; remove any contaminated clothing; seek medical attention immediately. Ingestion: do not induce vomiting; seek medical attention immediately.

Prehospital care providers must place their personal safety before the treatment of potentially contaminated patients. The US military recommends wearing maximum protection when in contact with QNB contamination. These recommendations include wearing an M9 mask and hood, an M3 butyl rubber suit, M2A1 butyl boots, and M3 or M4 butyl gloves. For civilian paramedics, decontamination of the exposed patients prior to transfer must occur. Dermal absorption and subsequent toxicity is a risk from contact with contaminated patients. Off gassing may occur, and paramedics are at risk for toxicity in the closed confines of an ambulance. Caution must be exercised especially for flight crews, since toxicity of the pilot during mid flight can lead to impaired vision and judgment and subsequent risk of crashing the aircraft.

Decontamination: Gentle, but thorough flushing of skin and hair with water or soap and water is required. Bleach is not necessary. Remove clothing.

Water can be used for decontamination.

For initial isolation and protective action distances for chemical warfare incapacitating agents see the Chemical Warfare Agents table in the ERG Criminal or Terrorist Use of CBR Agents. (ERG, 2024)；Excerpt from ERG Guide 153 [Substances - Toxic and/or Corrosive (Combustible)]:；IMMEDIATE PRECAUTIONARY MEASURE: Isolate spill or leak area in all directions for at least 50 meters (150 feet) for liquids and at least 25 meters (75 feet) for solids.；SPILL: Increase the immediate precautionary measure distance, in the downwind direction, as necessary.；FIRE: If tank, rail tank car or highway tank is involved in a fire, ISOLATE for 800 meters (1/2 mile) in all directions; also, consider initial evacuation for 800 meters (1/2 mile) in all directions. (ERG, 2024)

0.0010 [mg/m3]

0.011 [mg/m3]

0.21 [mg/m3]

For information on chemical warfare incapacitating agents see the ERG Criminal or Terrorist Use of CBR Agents. (ERG, 2024)；Excerpt from ERG Guide 153 [Substances - Toxic and/or Corrosive (Combustible)]:；Wear positive pressure self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA). Wear chemical protective clothing that is specifically recommended by the manufacturer when there is NO RISK OF FIRE. Structural firefighters' protective clothing provides thermal protection but only limited chemical protection. (ERG, 2024)

Protective Gloves: Wear Butyl (M3 or M4) or Neoprene gloves.

Eye Protection: Wear protective eye glass (goggles with hooded ventilation) as a minimum.

Wear maximum protection for non-lab operations consisting of M9 mask and hood, M3 butyl rubber suit, M2A1 butyl boots, M3 or M4 gloves, unimpregnated underwear; or demilitarization protective ensemble (DPE). For specific BZ operations, the local safety office will determine the required level of protective clothing; it will be specified in the local standing operating procedures. Wear lab coats and impervious gloves for lab operations; have masks readily available.

The HEPA filter in the canister of the chemical protective mask prevents exposure of the face and respiratory tract to aerosolized BZ.

GENERAL INFORMATION；First Responders should use a NIOSH-certified Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear (CBRN) Self Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA) with a Level A protective suit when entering an area with an unknown contaminant or when entering an area where the concentration of the contaminant is unknown. Level A protection should be used until monitoring results confirm the contaminant and the concentration of the contaminant.NOTE:Safe use of protective clothing and equipment requires specific skills developed through training and experience.；LEVEL A: (RED ZONE)；Select when the greatest level of skin, respiratory, and eye protection is required. This is the maximum protection for workers in danger of exposure to unknown chemical hazards or levels above the IDLH or greater than the AEGL-2.；- A NIOSH-certified CBRN full-face-piece SCBA operated in a pressure-demand mode or a pressure-demand supplied air hose respirator with an auxiliary escape bottle.；- A Totally-Encapsulating Chemical Protective (TECP) suit that provides protection against CBRN agents.；- Chemical-resistant gloves (outer).；- Chemical-resistant gloves (inner).；- Chemical-resistant boots with a steel toe and shank.；- Coveralls, long underwear, and a hard hat worn under the TECP suit are optional items.；LEVEL B: (RED ZONE)；Select when the highest level of respiratory protection is necessary but a lesser level of skin protection is required. This is the minimum protection for workers in danger of exposure to unknown chemical hazards or levels above the IDLH or greater than AEGL-2. It differs from Level A in that it incorporates a non-encapsulating, splash-protective, chemical-resistant splash suit that provides Level A protection against liquids but is not airtight.；- A NIOSH-certified CBRN full-face-piece SCBA operated in a pressure-demand mode or a pressure-demand supplied air hose respirator with an auxiliary escape bottle.；- A hooded chemical-resistant suit that provides protection against CBRN agents.；- Chemical-resistant gloves (outer).；- Chemical-resistant gloves (inner).；- Chemical-resistant boots with a steel toe and shank.；- Coveralls, long underwear, a hard hat worn under the chemical-resistant suit, and chemical-resistant disposable boot-covers worn over the chemical-resistant suit are optional items.；LEVEL C: (YELLOW ZONE)；Select when the contaminant and concentration of the contaminant are known and the respiratory protection criteria factors for using Air Purifying Respirators (APR) or Powered Air Purifying Respirators (PAPR) are met. This level is appropriate when decontaminating patient/victims.

Workplace Time-Weighted Average - 0.004 mg/cu m; General Population Limits - 0.0001 mg/cu m

The Army's field drinking-water standards for BZ: 0.5 ug/kg, which, when normalized for a 70-kg soldier, is equivalent to 35 ug/day.

AEGL 1: Notable discomfort, irritation, or certain asymptomatic non-sensory effects. However, the effects are not disabling and are transient and reversible upon cessation of exposure (Unit: mg/m3)；AEGL 2: Irreversible or other serious, long-lasting adverse health effects or an impaired ability to escape (Unit: mg/m3)；AEGL 3: Life-threatening health effects or death (Unit: mg/m3)

NR； 0.067 mg/m3； 1.2 mg/m3

NR； 0.022 mg/m3； 0.41 mg/m3

NR； 0.011 mg/m3； 0.21 mg/m3

NR； NR； NR

NR； NR； NR

Male mice administered neostigmine in the drinking water a daily increasing concentrations (20-100 mg/L) for four days became tolerant to its toxicity and presented a reduced binding of [3H]quinuclidinyl benzilate ([3H]QNB) in the small intestine. An increased binding of [3H]QNB was found in the forebrains of neostigmine-treated animals. This was due to an increase in muscarinic cholinergic receptor density. ... Administration of methylatropine together with neostigmine prevented the decrease of [3H]QNB binding in the small intestine as well as the increase in the forebrain.

TERRESTRIAL FATE: Extremely persistent in soil ... and on most surfaces

AQUATIC FATE: Extremely persistent in ... water and on most surfaces

ATMOSPHERIC FATE: Half-life of 3-4 weeks in moist air

QNB can be absorbed into the body by inhalation, ingestion, skin contact, or eye contact. Inhalation and ingestion are important routes of exposure for the solid. Skin and eye contact are routes of exposure when QNB is mixed with a liquid solvent that would enhance absorption.

- See Inhalation Exposure.；- If liquid containing QNB is splashed in the eye, irritation and inflammation of the membranes (conjunctivitis) may occur.

- See Inhalation Exposure.

- Mild to moderate intoxication: “Anticholinergic toxidrome” of elevated body temperature (hyperthermia), dry mouth (xerostomia), dry skin, low urine output, flushing (redness) of skin, dilated pupils (mydriasis), inability to focus on near objects, blurred vision, and rapid heart rate (later a normal or slow heart rate). Other effects include disorientation, altered level of consciousness, misperceptions and difficulty in interpretation (delusions, hallucinations), poor judgment and insight (denial of illness), short attention span, distractibility, impaired short-term memory, slurred speech, involuntary repetition of behaviors (perseveration), loss of coordination (ataxia), variability in behavior (e.g., between quiet and restless states), and muscle weakness.；- Severe intoxication: Dose-dependent decrease in consciousness level (drowsiness through sedation to stupor and coma), hallucinations and combative agitation, serious alterations in heart rhythm (cardiac arrhythmias), and serious alterations in levels of ions in biological fluids (electrolyte disturbances).

- See Inhalation Exposure.

Further Inpatient Care: Inpatient care is no different than that discussed in Emergency Department Care. Keep symptomatic patients who were exposed to QNB in a monitored setting until their symptoms completely resolve. Use of maintenance intravenous fluids and sedatives such as benzodiazepines may be necessary. Prolonged intoxication may occur depending on the dose of QNB absorbed.

Complications: Rhabdomyolysis: If a person exposed to QNB develops marked agitation or profound somnolence, tissue necrosis may occur and rhabdomyolysis may develop. If this remains undiagnosed, myoglobinuric renal failure may develop. Anoxic brain injury: If an exposed person becomes comatose and loses his or her ability to maintain ventilatory function, hypoxia may develop and lead to anoxic brain injury. Aspiration pneumonia: Inability of exposed patients to maintain their airway may result in aspiration of gastric contents into the lungs. Ileus: The prolonged anticholinergic effects of QNB may lead to development of an ileus. Angle-closure glaucoma: Those patients predisposed may be at risk due to the mydriasis induced by QNB. Bleeding diathesis: Disseminated intravascular coagulation may develop in patients with shock and marked hyperthermia. Hepatic injury: Hepatic injury may accompany antimuscarinic agent toxicity that involves hyperthermia or shock.

Lab Studies: No rapid tests enable a health care provider to diagnose exposure to QNB. Consider QNB if a number of persons arrive after an exposure to an unknown substance and manifest an anticholinergic syndrome. Obtaining a complete blood count, electrolytes, clotting studies, and renal and liver function tests is reasonable in any person who potentially was exposed to a chemical warfare agent. If the patient is markedly agitated or comatose, obtaining a urine myoglobin and/or creatine phosphokinase is warranted to exclude rhabdomyolysis. Hyperkalemia, hyperphosphatemia, and hypocalcemia may occur in association with rhabdomyolysis. The agitated patient also may develop an elevated lactate. If QNB is considered in the differential, obtain extra blood and urine samples. Tests have been developed to confirm human exposure to QNB. Disseminated intravascular coagulation is a potential complication in a patient with marked agitation and/or hyperthermia. Obtain clotting studies (eg, prothrombin time, activated partial thromboplastin time, international normalized ratio) in these patients. If clotting studies are elevated, then fibrinogen, fibrin split products, and a peripheral smear looking for evidence of hemolysis may be necessary.

Imaging Studies: A patient exposed to QNB who is comatose may be at risk for aspiration pneumonia; obtain a chest radiograph. If the etiology of the altered mental status is uncertain, obtaining a head CT scan to exclude other intracranial processes is reasonable.

Other Tests: ECG: QNB is associated with sinus tachycardia. Patients exposed to QNB who have preexisting cardiac disease may be at risk for cardiac ischemia as their heart rates increase. Other anticholinergic agents are associated with QT prolongation, QRS widening, and various tachydysrhythmias. Obtain an ECG to exclude these potential problems.

/HUMAN EXPOSURE STUDIES/ ... Four subjects were administered BZ i.m. in daily doses of 0.5 ug/kg on days 1 through 5 and on day 8, for a total of six doses in 8 days. Changes in heart rate or blood pressure (objective criterion) and symptoms of disorientation or delirium (subjective criterion) were evaluated. It was the opinion of all medical and nursing personnel who supervised the four subjects that at no time during or after the study were there any additional signs or symptoms beyond the usual BZ effects. At the termination of the study, the subjects had certain mild medical conditions that might or might not have been related to BZ administration. Those medical conditions included dermatosis (subject Je), dysphagia with mild malaise (subject We), rash (subject Ba), and low-grade fever (subject Mc). ... The highest dose that can be absorbed without noticeable effects is 0.5 ug/kg.

/SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS/ BZ toxicity, which might occur by inhalation, ingestion, or skin absorption, is an anticholinergic syndrome consisting of a combination of signs and symptoms that might include hallucinations; agitation; mydriasis (dilated pupils); blurred vision; dry, flushed skin; urinary retention; ileus; tachycardia; hypertension; and elevated temperature (>101deg F). The onset of incapacitation is dose-dependent. It might occur as early as 1 hour after exposure and continue up to 48 hours

/SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS/ Like atropine, it inhibits the action of acetylcholine by binding to the acetylcholinesterase receptor. However, it is more potent. There is evidence that antimuscarinic drugs, such as BZ, cause hallucinogenic effects by binding to a serotonin receptor subtype (Battaglia and De Souza, 1989). Atropine-like effects include rapid pulse, dry mouth, blurred vision due to pupillary dilation, inability to solve problems or remember numbers, poor coordination, stupor, confusion, and disorientation. Paresthesia of the legs, weakness and tightness, speech difficulty, tremor of the face and arms, and tachycardia are also common symptoms.

/SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS/ 3-Quinuclidinyl benzilate (QNB, BZ) is an anticholinergic agent that affects both the peripheral and central nervous systems (CNS). It is one of the most potent anticholinergic psychomimetics known, with only small doses necessary to produce incapacitation. ... Effects of QNB by any route of exposure are slow in onset and long in duration. The onset of action is approximately 1 hour, with peak effects occurring 8 hours postexposure. Symptoms gradually subside over 2-4 days.

For more Human Toxicity Excerpts (Complete) data for BZ (22 total), please visit the HSDB record page.

/LABORATORY ANIMALS: Acute Exposure/ BZ is hydrolyzed in alkaline solutions to benzylic acid and 3-quinuclidinyl. Studies in mice indicate that BZ is much more toxic than its hydrolysis products. LD50s in mice for BZ, benzylic acid, and 3-quinuclidinyl were found to be 18-25 mg/kg, >400 mg/kg, and 179 mg/kg, respectively. BZ has similar effects in humans and animals. With increased doses, there is increased heart rate, impaired performance, prostration, convulsion, and death rate.

/LABORATORY ANIMALS: Subchronic or Prechronic Exposure/ In a 42-day exposure of dogs administered BZ intravenously at 100 ug/kg, slight pathological changes were observed in the gastrointestinal tract (ulceration and bloody stool) in 50% of the exposed dogs and 25% of the controls. There was a slight increase in kidney weight and a slight decrease in liver and spleen weights. There were no changes in white-blood-cell or sodium measurements

/LABORATORY ANIMALS: Neurotoxicity/ Systemic injection of quinuclidinyl benzilate partially abolished low voltage fast activity (LVFA) in the neocortex of waking rats, resulting in the appearance of large irregular slow waves during Type 2 behaviors (e.g. immobility, sniffing without head movement, face washing). These slow waves did not occur during Type 1 behavior (e.g. walking, head movement). Atropine sulfate produced a similar effect but it was less potent by a factor of about 12. Injection of kainic acid into the substantia innominata: (a) destroyed local cells which contain acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and reduced AChE staining in the ipsilateral neocortex; and (b) produced large slow waves in the ipsilateral neocortex during Type 2 behavior but not during Type 1 behavior. These slow waves were abolished by systemic injection of pilocarpine. ...

/ALTERNATIVE and IN VITRO TESTS/ Gerbil vestibular tissues were isolated by microdissection and incubated in vitro with 3H-quinuclidinyl benzilate (3H-QNB). Control tissues were incubated in medium containing unlabeled atropine to differentiate non-specific from specific binding. Autoradiographic grain densities were determined by morphometric techniques and evaluated by two-tailed t-test. The label densities of sensory epithelia from experimental preparations of ampulla, utricle and saccule were found to be significantly higher than those in the adjacent endolymphatic compartment and also higher than those of adjacent stromal tissue comprising connective tissue, nerve fibers and capillaries. In contrast, no tissue region in atropine controls showed label density significantly above that of the endolymphatic compartment. Label density of ampullar sensory epithelium incubated with 3H-QNB alone was significantly higher than that of sensory epithelium from utricle or saccule. Grain density was greater in the peripheral regions of the ampullar crista compared to the vertex. Appreciable label was also present in nerve bundles beneath the sensory epithelium of the ampulla. The current study demonstrates the existence of putative muscarinic neurotransmitter/neuromodulator receptor sites in mammalian vestibular sense organs at locations corresponding to efferent innervation, with particularly significant concentrations in the ampulla.

As noted with other antimuscarinic agents, patients at the extremes of age may be more susceptible to toxicity. Other factors expected to predispose a patient to toxicity include heat stress, volume depletion, and concurrent use of medications with antimuscarinic effects.

Emergency Department Care: Once decontamination has occurred, the primary emphasis simply is supportive care of exposed patients. Emergency department staff must be certain that proper decontamination has occurred. Dermal absorption and off gassing of QNB does occur and can pose a risk to hospital personnel. In patients who are not protecting their airway, perform intubation and mechanical ventilation. Apply soft restraints to patients at risk of harming themselves or health care workers. Intravenous hydration may be necessary; maintain adequate urinary output. If urinary retention is suggested, place a Foley catheter. For patients experiencing marked agitation, consider benzodiazepine administration. In patients with hyperthermia, cooling measures may be necessary. Completely remove the patient's clothing. Insert a Foley catheter or rectal temperature probe. Administer adequate intravenous fluids. Cooling measures such as evaporative cooling using skin wetting with directed circulating fans, ice water immersion, ice packs, and cooling blankets may be necessary. Include continuous cardiac and core temperature monitoring.

Physical examination is the key to diagnosing the causative agent /in a terrorist event/. After exposure to QNB, the physical examination is consistent with an anticholinergic syndrome. ... Depending on the dose and time postexposure, a number of CNS effects may manifest. Restlessness, apprehension, abnormal speech, confusion, agitation, tremor, picking movements, ataxia, stupor, and coma are described. Hallucinations are prominent, and they may be benign, entertaining, or terrifying to the patient experiencing them. ... Simple tasks typically performed well by the exposed person may become difficult. ... Mydriasis resulting in photophobia is expected. Impairment of near vision occurs because of loss of accommodation and reduced depth of field secondary to ciliary muscle paralysis and pupillary enlargement. If QNB is splashed into the eye, conjunctival injection and eye pain also occur. Tachycardia is a prominent feature of QNB exposure. Heart rates may be rapid but rarely exceed 150 beats per minute. Exacerbated heart rate responses to exertion also are expected. Systolic and diastolic blood pressure may show moderate elevation. A decrease in capillary tone may cause skin flushing. Gastrointestinal: Intestinal motility slows, and secretions from the stomach, pancreas, and gallbladder decrease. Nausea and vomiting may occur. Decreased or absent bowel sounds are noted on examination. Respiratory: ... dry mucus membranes of the mouth and throat are noted. Speech may decrease to a whisper. Breath of the exposed patient may develop a foul odor. Skin: Inhibition of sweating results in dry skin. Place hands directly into the axilla of the exposed patient and note the absence of moisture. Red flushed skin also may occur. Urinary: Urination is difficult or impossible. Subsequent urinary retention may occur, and an enlarged bladder may be palpable on examination.

The LD50 (lethal dose to 50% of an exposed population) for BZ is estimated to be similar to that of atropine, which is approximately 100 mg. Other factors, such as the exposed patient's preexisting health status and the time from exposure to medical care, are also important.

A High-affinity muscarinic antagonist commonly used as a tool in animal and tissue studies. [ChemIDplus]

Hallucinogenic chemical warfare agent

A high-affinity muscarinic antagonist commonly used as a tool in animal and tissue studies.

BZ itself, now called QNB in the scientific community, is widely used in pharmacology as a muscarinic receptor marker

Atropine-like pharmacodynamic agent used to study drug-receptor interactions in intestinal smooth muscle

Incapacitant

/The Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC) is an international treaty which bans the development, production, stockpiling, and transfer or use of chemical weapons. The Convention mandates the destruction and prohibition of chemical weapons and related facilities and provides for restrictions on international trade in toxic chemicals and precursors./ The Convention's monitoring and verification measures involve submission of declarations regarding ... /Schedule 1, 2, and 3 chemicals/ and inspections by the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons of the facilities where these chemicals are produced. ... Schedule 2 lists toxic chemicals and precursors deemed to pose a significant risk to the object and purpose of the CWC because of their lethal or incapacitating properties. Precursors may be used in the final stage for formation, or may be important for the production, of any of the chemicals listed in Schedule 1 or toxic chemicals listed in Schedule 2. Schedule 2 chemicals are not produced in large quantities for commercial ... purposes ... but may be used to manufacture such things as insecticides, herbicides, lubricants or pharmaceutical products (2). BZ is listed in the CWC Annex on Chemicals under Schedule 2 (1).

BZ is the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) code for 3-quinuclidinyl benzilate, a glycolate anticholinergic also known as 3-QNB.

By the mid-1960s, after a decade of tests, the US Army concluded that the long-acting anticholinergic 3-quinuclidinyl benzilate (BZ) was the best candidate for weaponization and deployment. BZ subsequently was stockpiled in American military arsenals from the mid-1960s through the late-1980s. The US military was not alone in its attempt to develop an incapacitating agent in the 20th century. Seven years after the conclusion of the Gulf War, the British Foreign Ministry revealed, in February 1998, the existence of an Iraqi chemical warfare agent believed to be a glycolate anticholinergic, similar, if not identical, to BZ. It was dubbed "Agent 15."

The U.S. weaponized BZ, but demilitarization began in 1988 and is complete. Agent 15 is an alleged Iraqi incapacitating agent that is likely to be chemically either identical to BZ or closely related to it. Agent 15 was reportedly stockpiled in large quantities prior to and during the Gulf War.

Military field agent that has been dropped from the NATO inventory ... This is not to say it is not manufactured elsewhere