BZ attacks

“Some opposition activists say the toxin used may have been “Agent 15,” also known as BZ. Its full name is 3-quinuclidinyl benzilate, and it affects both the peripheral and central nervous systems.

The opposition claimed that BZ was used in tank shells fired in the city of Homs last December. A doctor in the city told the online publication “The Cable” soon after that the victims “all had miosis — pinpoint pupils. They also had generalized muscle pain. There were also bad symptoms as far as their central nervous system. There were generalized seizures, and some patients had partial seizures.”

Physicians for Human Rights, a non-governmental organization, says that BZ induces a “severely altered mental status (hallucinations, giddiness, confusion); lack of secretions — dry mucous membranes, dry mouth, eyes, skin; dilated pupils, blurred vision, nausea, vomiting.”

But the reports from Homs, like so many of the allegations to emerge from Syria, were never confirmed. The next month, the U.S. State Department said it had “found no credible evidence to corroborate or to confirm that chemical weapons were used” in Homs. Some experts doubt the Assad regime possesses BZ.” <a href="https://edition.cnn.com/2013/08/21/world/meast/syria-chemical-weapons-questions/index.html">CNN 2013 on the first major “chemical weapons attack” in East Ghouta</a>

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