Deliberate chemical attack: revisiting the lessons of the Tokyo subway attack

Mark Byers

doi:10.1186/1757-7241-22-s1-a8

Abstract

Deliberate chemical attack: revisiting the lessons of the Tokyo subway attack

Highlights

The Japanese Sect Aum Shrinryko launched their terrorist attack on the Tokyo Underground on the 20 March 1995
As acetylcholine is the transmitter at all neuromuscular junctions and throughout the central and peripheral nervous system, it has profound effects
Muscarinic receptor hyperstimulation leads to constriction of all smooth muscles in the body, manifest in bronchospasm and bronchorrhoea

Summary

Introduction

The Japanese Sect Aum Shrinryko launched their terrorist attack on the Tokyo Underground on the 20 March 1995. Sarin is the most volatile nerve agent and acts through anticholinesterase inhibitor. The numbers killed and injured reflects the fact that, even though the nerve agent was released during one of the busiest periods of transport activity, rush hour, the sarin was only 35% pure and only ten 500ml bags were used. They had the technology to do better – Tsuchiya (the Aum Chemist) had proved he could manufacture higher quality nerve agent, having produced 3kg of 90% pure Sarin from suitable precursors in only two months.

Results

Conclusion