Chemical warfare (CW) involves utilizing the toxic properties of chemical substances as weapons to kill, offend, or incapacitate an enemy.
This type of warfare is distinct from the use of conventional weapons or nuclear bombs because the destuctive effects of chemical weapons are not primarily due to their volatile force. With suitable protective equipment and contamination control, chemical weapons are of limited strategical function, due to their modern ineffectiveness. Chemical contamination will usually dissipate to safe levels within 48 to 72 hours.