Chemists develop fast technique to identify the products of poisonous substance

Researchers of MSU Chemistry Department have patented a speedy method to determine compounds remaining after application of phosphorus-containing poisons. Phosphorus-containing compounds are organic molecules containing the carbon-phosphorus chemical bond. The organic compounds of phosphorus are used as insecticides, as medications and as motor oil antioxidants . But some organophosphorous substances are poisons of neural-paralytic action that can cause death within a few hours after contact. Once introduced into the human body, the neural-paralytic poisons block the enzymes responsible for neural impulse transfer. Due to the malfunction of signal transfer, the subject is paralyzed. Such poisons can absorb into the body through the skin or via swallowing or inhalation.