Worldwide Spread of Chemical Arms Receiving Increased Attention: Iraqi use of mustard gas in 1984 has prompted international efforts to stem proliferation of chemical weapons and has clouded ongoing attempts to eliminate these weapons entirely

A fierce battle was under way on the border marshes southeast of Baghdad, Iraq, when at high noon on a day at the end of February 1984, invading Iranians were halted in their forward trek by an Iraqi airborne assault that showered Iranians with a greasy yellow liquid. Within minutes the odor of garlic pervaded the area. Iranian troops, who wore no protective clothing, began feeling ill, some vomiting up a yellowish liquid. Their eyes began to water, their skin to itch and turn red. Iranians sent casualties to hospitals in Western Europe and Japan for treatment—and for the publicity it would garner. By the time the wounded reached the hospitals, their skin had darkened considerably, especially under the arms and around the genitals. Amber liquid-filled blisters covered their bodies. The lesions were painful, breathing was labored. In the most serious cases, white blood cell counts dropped precipitously and lesions became infected. Most of the ...