The Use of Gas

What were the effects of poison gas in the First World War?

The use of different types of poison gas caused respiratory problems, blindness and chemical burns.

What types of gas were used in the First World War?

There were 3 main types of gas used for attacks in the First World War.

• ❖ Chlorine, which caused death by suffocation.
• ❖ Phosgene, which led to death by suffocation but acted faster than chlorine.
• ❖ Mustard gas, which was odourless and caused more than 80% of gas injuries to British soldiers. It burned their skin, eyes and lungs. Mustard gas wasn't introduced until 1917.

What effect did gas masks have?

Soldiers were given gas masks, from July 1915, to prevent them inhaling gas, but sometimes they did not get them on quickly enough.