Nerve agents, blood agents, and blister agents are all examples of what kind of agents?

Nerve agents, blood agents, and blister agents are classified as chemical agents because they are toxic substances created through chemical processes to disrupt the normal functioning of biological systems. Each of these agents has a specific mode of action: nerve agents interfere with neurotransmission, blood agents affect the body's ability to transport oxygen, and blister agents cause severe skin and respiratory damage. Chemical agents are designed to cause harm through chemical reactions rather than through biological means, making them distinct from biological agents, which involve pathogens or biological toxins, and from physical agents, which typically refer to non-chemical means of causing harm such as heat, pressure, or kinetic energy. Explosive agents, on the other hand, are materials that produce a sudden reaction, releasing gases and energy, which is not the focus of nerve, blood, or blister agents. Therefore, recognizing these types of agents as chemical highlights their shared characteristics in terms of their toxicological properties and their intended effects on humans.