Hydrogen cyanide (AC) and cyanogen chloride (CK) are classified as what type of agent?

Hydrogen cyanide (AC) and cyanogen chloride (CK) are classified as blood agents because they interfere with the body's ability to use oxygen. These substances target the circulatory system by binding to cytochrome c oxidase in mitochondria, ultimately inhibiting cellular respiration, which can be life-threatening. The term "blood agent" highlights the lethal potential these chemicals have upon entry into the bloodstream, leading to systemic toxicity and respiratory failure.

While hydrogen cyanide and cyanogen chloride are indeed types of chemical agents, the specific classification as blood agents is crucial because it emphasizes their mode of action and physiological effects, distinguishing them from other categories like choking agents, which primarily irritate the respiratory tract, or toxins, which may refer to a broader range of harmful biological substances.