Spy poisoning: Novichok inventor says hundreds could be at risk for years
Sky News
Tuesday 13 March 2018
A Russian chemical weapons scientist has told Sky News that people exposed to even tiny traces of the nerve agent used to attack a spy and his daughter in Salisbury could be in danger of developing symptoms in years to come. Dr Vil Mirzayanov is a chemist who ran the technical counter-intelligence department in Russia's chemical weapons institute.
More than two decades ago, Dr Mirzayanov became so concerned about novichok that he blew the whistle and fled to America, where he campaigned to get all chemical weapons banned.
He spoke to Sky News at his home in Princeton in New Jersey.
He said: "It's the same as nerve gas but 10 times, at least 10 times, more powerful."
The scientist emphasised that Novichok was designed to do "irreparable" damage to the human body. He said it would leave those exposed to significant doses, like Mr Skripal and his daughter, as "invalids" who would need medical assistance for the rest of their lives.He spoke of a colleague who died after accidental exposure to a small amount in his lab.
"That's it," he said. "No cure."
https://news.sky.com/story/spy-poisoning-novichok-inventor-says-hundreds-could-be-at-risk-for-years-11287880
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