Weapons of mass destruction are, by definition, “nuclear, chemical, or biological weapons that can cause indiscriminate death or injury on a large scale” (Dictionary.com). The three main types have been used for decades in different scenarios in warfare and terrorism. Each of the three has different effects, immediate and long-term, on the people directly affected and on the population surrounding the place where the attack occurred. Weapons of mass destruction are too commonly used and should only be used when absolutely necessary. They not only affect the target group, but the people around them. They have many long-term negative side effects. Exposure can lead to health problems, genetic defects in future generations of those who have been exposed, and perhaps even the death of many innocent people. Exposure to radiation from nuclear weapons can lead to health problems in the future. Chemical weapons such as mustard gas used in warfare can leave chronic side effects in organs, particularly the respiratory system. Biological weapons such as ricin can damage the liver and kidneys. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an Original Essay Nuclear weapons cause devastation on every level imaginable. The most commonly known period of use of a nuclear weapon was the Hiroshima attack in 1945. The United States Army used a nuclear bomb that weighed more than nine thousand pounds and contained uranium-235. The explosion detonated two thousand feet above Hiroshima and the explosion was equivalent to twelve to fifteen thousand tons of TNT. This left five square miles of the city demolished. (They release heat waves, explosions and radiation that can leave thousands of people in the surrounding area injured or dead. They destroy homes, buildings and have extremely negative long-term effects on the environment. There are three main sources of injury or death: the initial blast of the explosion, the heat wave that follows, and finally the instantaneous radiation “These effects would range from the side effects of injuries sustained from the explosion to the long-term effects of radiation exposure and health problems caused by the disruption . and destruction of health services” (World Health Organization, “Effects of Nuclear Weapons on Health and the Environment,” page 4). It releases waves that affect cellular and technological waves, making it impossible for those in need of medical care reach emergency medical personnel Aside from these causes of death, there are the collapse of many buildings and structures that can crush anyone who inhabits them. Nuclear weapons have been used in war to wipe out opposing territories. It causes more harm than necessary, leaving the innocent population, including children, families and the general working population, seriously injured or dead. Often their homes and workplaces also end up destroyed. Chemical weapons are another commonly used weapon of war, due to their widespread effect on a large population. In World War I this was a very popular way to attack the enemy with an unavoidable defense. Some chemical weapons are still used today in riots by law enforcement, to control people who obstruct traffic and behave violently when general approaches are taken. Tear gas is the most commonly known chemical weapon. Tear gas is the weapon used by law enforcement in riot situations. Border control could use it to reduce the influx of immigrants migrating into our country illegally. "TheRiot control agents (sometimes referred to as “tear gas”) are chemical compounds that temporarily render people unable to function by causing irritation to the eyes, mouth, throat, lungs, and skin” (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention , emergency preparedness and response; facts about riot control agents). However, not all chemical weapons cause only temporary damage for control purposes. Many uses of chemical weapons during war were intended to defeat or eliminate a population. Mustard gas is another commonly heard chemical weapon. The effects of mustard gas do not occur immediately after exposure, but rather after a few hours. The first signs are bloodshot eyes that become increasingly painful and some exposed may even suffer temporary blindness. After the burning eyes, blisters appear on the skin and the blisters become infected very quickly. Mustard gas not only contaminates the people who are around when it is used, but also the soil. Mustard gas is believed to cause the greatest number of casualties from chemical weapons, killing 120,000 people or more. The only thing unusual is that mustard gas caused few direct deaths due to the open air in the fields where it was used, keeping gas levels below lethal levels (Science History Institute, A Brief History of Chemical War). Another infamous chemical weapon unlike mustard gas, is chlorine gas. This gas appears in the form of a greenish-yellow cloud that smells like bleach. It immediately begins as an irritant to the respiratory system, causing the eyes, nose, lungs, and throat to close. At high enough doses and with prolonged exposure, it can cause death. Unlike nuclear weapons, chemical weapons usually affect only the targeted group, rather than causing widespread devastation. We still use chemical weapons today, as discussed above and referred to as “riot control agents,” such as tear gas. They serve as a controlling factor for uncontrollably large groups of people. While it is possible to hit surrounding people in a crowded area, death will not follow exposure to tear gas. Biological weapons are also known as "germ warfare". It involves the use of infectious diseases, viruses, or toxins to deliberately kill or disable not only humans, but also animals and even plants. The US government has developed a system to classify different biological attacks, depending on the risk factor they pose to national security. Category A agents have the highest priority. Diseases or toxins in this category have the highest mortality rate, are easily transmitted from person to person, and would cause an extremely high level of social disruption. Examples of these diseases include smallpox, Ebola, Marburg, Lassa, and Machupo. Toxins that pose a Category A threat are anthrax and botulism which are not transmissible from one person to another, but still have extremely high mortality rates. Category B threats are generally easier to deal with than Category A threats. They have a lower fatality rate. These include glanders, brucellosis and typhus. The toxin that falls into this category is ricin. Ricin is very well known and has had recent attacks that have taken place. The most recent attack occurred in October 2018, when a letter was sent to the White House containing ricin-based ingredients (USA today, Mike James and John Bacon). Finally, Category C agents are diseases that could be biologically manipulated to cause mass deaths in the future. These include diseases 3, 2018