Novichok is a Russian poison that is very dangerous for nerves. This poison since the days of the Soviet Union can kill victims through disturbances in the nervous system. This is explained by the William Atchison Professor of Pharmacology and Toxicology at Michigan State University as quoted by The Conversation.
Atchison has been researching the relationship between toxins or chemicals in the environment can block signals in the nervous system since 1980. He researched how this relationship with the autoimmune disease ALS or Lambert-Eaton syndrome. In addition, he also researched about Novichok itself.
According to Atchison, Novichok kills by interfering with communication between nerves and muscles or nerves in the brain. This poison works for several minutes by paralyzing the muscles responsible for breathing and stopping the heart.
"However, in some cases, if the dose is not high enough, death may be 'delayed' or prevented but the victim continues to suffer from seizures, neuromuscular weakness, liver failure and other damage," said Prof Atchison.
There are several factors that make Novichok so dangerous. First, this chemical was reported by Soviet chemists as the most potent poison ever created. Novichok has a potency between 6-10 times higher than VX, the chemical used to kill Kim Jong Un's half-brother. It's also more dangerous than sarin, the prototype toxic nerve gas. At very low doses, powder or liquid, it can be highly lethal.
Second, Professor Gary Stephens, quoted on BBC News, agreed that Novichok would be very difficult to detect. Worse still, it is just as difficult to clean, as the Novichok chemical used cannot be determined with certainty.
Thus, Novichok is a very dangerous and lethal poison even if only given in small doses. Its presence is difficult to detect and to clean it is also very difficult.