In addition to the highly toxic "lethal chemical warfare agents," there are a number of other chemical compounds of military interest. These compounds are used in a wide variety of military contexts:
- Riot control agents are widely used to control civilian populations. The ideal riot control agent has very low toxicity and effects that can quickly incapacitate an individual but are rapidly reversed when the individual leaves the area. Tear Gases reviews modern riot control agents as well as older tearing and harassing agent. Arsenical Irritants reviews a class of more toxic riot control agents that contain arsenic; these agents, which are no longer in use, cause intense irritation and vomiting.
- Psychogenic Agents are non-lethal incapacitating agents. They cause disorientation with intense visual and auditory hallucinations.
- Herbicides are used to kill plants and trees; they were used extensively in Vietnam in an effort to deny jungle plants as cover for the Viet Cong.
- Flame and smoke-producing chemicals are used to burn structures and to hide troop movements from opposing forces.
Other non-lethal incapacitating weapons include:
- Acoustic - low-frequency sound waves that cause temporary physical discomfort by inducing nausea and breathing difficulty
- Microwave - electromagnetic emissions that temporarily cause internal discomfort
- Entanglement nets - webs of strings that impede mobility of personnel by wrapping around their bodies
In addition, there are interesting recent developments of non-toxic incapacitating chemical weapons such as the following:
- An very light aqueous foam; large volumes of the foam engulf the individuals to reduce their visibility
- A dense, sticky foam which when sprayed on the lower extremities of persons makes it impossible for them to walk or stand up