9 Most Horrendous Chemical Weapons

6. Anthrax

Although not a chemical weapon, but a biological one, Anthrax cultures can be used to deadly effect in warfare and terrorism.

Anthrax spores are extremely hardy, and will survive in the environment for some time after release, unlike a chemical such as Sarin.

In 2001, shortly after the terrorist attacks on the Twin Towers, Anthrax was sent through the post to several media outlets and two US senators, resulting the the deaths of five people and the infection of 17 others.

The advantage (or disadvantage, really) of a biological weapon over a chemical weapon, is that it can perpetuate itself after the initial detonation as its living cells replicate throughout the population. Although Anthrax itself is not contagious, meaning that it can't be passed from person to person, it can still take hold in the system of a victim and can be picked up from other sources long after the original attack.

Anthrax will initially cause flu-like symptoms, or angry sores in the case of cutaneous anthrax, but can progress to meningitis and death up to weeks after the initial infection.