VX nerve agent

VX is a synthetic chemical compound in the organophosphate class, specifically developed for military use as a nerve agent. Its history begins in the early 1950s at the Imperial Chemical Industries (ICI) laboratories in the United Kingdom, where chemist Ranajit Ghosh discovered it during research into pesticides. Due to its extreme toxicity to humans, it was deemed unsuitable for agricultural use and the formula was shared with the British military and eventually the United States government.

Throughout the Cold War era, VX was mass-produced as a strategic weapon. In the United States, production was centered at the Newport Chemical Depot. While strictly regulated under the Chemical Weapons Convention, various nations have historically maintained stockpiles or manufacturing capabilities. It is characterized by its high viscosity and persistence in the environment, making it one of the most lethal chemical weapons ever created.

Today, VX does not exist as a consumer brand or commercial product. Ownership of the technology and existing stockpiles rests exclusively with national governments and their respective defense departments. Under international law, the production and use of VX are prohibited, and most global efforts are focused on the secure destruction of remaining historical stockpiles rather than new manufacturing.