Tabun nerve gas is described as which level of lethality?

• A. Low lethality
• B. High lethality
• C. Easy to manufacture
• D. No lethality

Answer: (B)

Nerve agents like tabun are extremely lethal because they irreversibly inhibit acetylcholinesterase, causing a rapid build-up of acetylcholine at nerve endings. This leads to widespread overstimulation of both muscarinic and nicotinic receptors, producing a cholinergic crisis that can progress quickly to severe respiratory failure and death if not treated promptly. Tabun is a highly potent organophosphate nerve agent, so exposure—especially inhalation—can be fatal even at small doses. The question is about how lethal tabun is, not how easy it is to make or whether it has any lethal potential at all, so the statement reflecting high lethality best captures its true danger.