Are we facing NOVICHOK nerve agent threat? Kamil Kuca, 1 Eugenie Nepovimova 2 1. Philosophical Faculty, University of Hradec Kralove, Hradec Kralove, Czech Republic 2. Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, University of Hradec Kralove, Hradec Kralove, Czech Republic 49 [AMJ 2019;12(2):49-52] SHORT COMMUNICATION Please cite this paper as: Kuca K, Nepovimova E. Are we facing NOVICHOK nerve agent threat? AMJ 2019;12(2):49–52. https://doi.org/10.21767/AMJ.2018.3482 Corresponding Author: Kamil Kuca Philosophical Faculty, University of Hradec Kralove, Hradec Kralove, Czech Republic Email: kamil.kuca@uhk.cz In the short history, at least four similar attacks by nerve agents were committed. In this short communication, we wanted to interlink some important insights into nerve agents and novichoks and point out that the latest assault by novichoks is not the only attack with prohibited chemical warfare agents and, unfortunately, probably not the last, as these substances can easily be synthesized in a well-equipped chemical laboratory. 4 th March 2018, ex-Russian spy Sergey Skripal and his daughter were found on a bench in the park close to the shopping centre in Salisbury (UK). According to the first on- site examination and the symptoms, it was obvious that they were highly likely poisoned by a nerve agent. Subsequent sampling and closer examination of both victims confirmed this fact. The most likely substance that caused the poisoning of both victims was Novichok (Newcomer; in Russian language “новичок“). This substance belongs to the "hypothetical" chemical warfare agents of the former Soviet Union. Why hypothetical? Because it has never been officially confirmed for its introduction into the armament. Therefore, this substance has never been on the official list of banned chemical warfare agents. Not only the substance itself but also its possible precursors are missing on this list. Based on all mentioned above, it can be de facto freely synthesized and tested. 1,2,3 A very similar incident to that of Skripal happened last year (2017) at the airport in Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia), when a nerve agent was also used - this time the VX agent. The victim was a half-brother of the Korean nation's leader Kim Jong Un - Kim Jong Nam. It has been confirmed that two women splashed a victim with a nerve agent, which subsequently died. 3,4 Although these two incidents are probably two the most popular in the media, other inconvenient people were attacked in the same way in the past. For example - the attack of a secret agent in the sect, who investigated the Aum Shinrikyo, using the VX agent (Osaka, Japan, 1994), or the attack on Russian banker Ivan Kivelidi and his secretary probably also by an analogue of VX agent (Moscow, Russia, 1995). 5,6 In the 1970s up to the 1990s, chemical warfare agents, especially nerve agents, were an alternative to nuclear weapons. They were even called the "nuclear weapons of the poor countries” since the synthesis was relatively simple and easy for upscaling amounts as well as their effect was terrible. Comparing chemical warfare agents with biological or radiological, the rapid onset of their effect is the reason of their choice by the terrorists. Just a few minutes after intoxication, the affected person dies on site of contamination, possibly in the immediate vicinity. Terrorism is now largely interconnected with the media. From the definition of the word - terrorism - it is clear that it is violence or a threat of violence in order to intimidate the enemy and reach the political goals. What is better than frighten people using videos where the victims of such attacks are writhing in non-physiological convulsions, uncontrollably lying on the ground with foam at the mouth etc.?! In case of biological attack, de facto viral or bacterial diseases with high lethality, clinical manifestation of intoxication always occurs after a period of latency. Moreover, it is characterized by the onset of a disease