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Chemical weapons in Syria: full data from UN report Chemical weapons in Syria: full data from UN report
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The UN's confirmation that a chemical attack took place in Damascus last month appears almost dated, given how fast diplomatic wrangling has come in the past few weeks. That might be why few have bothered to go as far as reading the data published in the UN's report.The UN's confirmation that a chemical attack took place in Damascus last month appears almost dated, given how fast diplomatic wrangling has come in the past few weeks. That might be why few have bothered to go as far as reading the data published in the UN's report.
But the appendices provide a fascinating insight into how the UN experts went about verifying the reports and what they deem "clear and convincing evidence".But the appendices provide a fascinating insight into how the UN experts went about verifying the reports and what they deem "clear and convincing evidence".
26 days26 days
It's worth bearing in mind that this report was published 30 days after the date of the alleged attack on 21 August. And, in a way, it shows. Most of the text in the published pdf is a series of scanned images that aren't machine readable. Though all of the numbers are there, it's not exactly open data because we've had to manually retype the main findings.It's worth bearing in mind that this report was published 30 days after the date of the alleged attack on 21 August. And, in a way, it shows. Most of the text in the published pdf is a series of scanned images that aren't machine readable. Though all of the numbers are there, it's not exactly open data because we've had to manually retype the main findings.
That said, the numbers themselves reflect how detailed the team's work was. They collected clinical and biomedical tests from 36 survivors in two different locations - Moadamiyah and Zamalka. Blood, urine and hair samples reveal several symptoms consistent with chemical weapons use.That said, the numbers themselves reflect how detailed the team's work was. They collected clinical and biomedical tests from 36 survivors in two different locations - Moadamiyah and Zamalka. Blood, urine and hair samples reveal several symptoms consistent with chemical weapons use.
Sarin exposureSarin exposure
Blood samples were also taken and tested in two separate laboratories. The results may have been the most important source of evidence for the experts in reaching their final conclusions. They state that "of the 34 blood samples tested, 91% tested positive for sarin exposure in Laboratory 4 and 85% tested positive in Laboratory 3". Sarin is the lethal nerve agent used in chemical weapons and classified as a weapon of mass destruction according to UN Resolution 687.Blood samples were also taken and tested in two separate laboratories. The results may have been the most important source of evidence for the experts in reaching their final conclusions. They state that "of the 34 blood samples tested, 91% tested positive for sarin exposure in Laboratory 4 and 85% tested positive in Laboratory 3". Sarin is the lethal nerve agent used in chemical weapons and classified as a weapon of mass destruction according to UN Resolution 687.
Environmental samplesEnvironmental samples
As well as biomedical testing, the UN team collected environmental samples from the sites they visited - Moadmiyah on 26 August and Zamlaka/Ein Tarma two days later. In all, 30 environmental samples were collected with the time and description meticulously logged.As well as biomedical testing, the UN team collected environmental samples from the sites they visited - Moadmiyah on 26 August and Zamlaka/Ein Tarma two days later. In all, 30 environmental samples were collected with the time and description meticulously logged.
For example:For example:
Sample 8
Taken by Team 2 on 28/08/2013 at 14:34
Soil sample taken near the rocket warhead		Sample 8
Taken by Team 2 on 28/08/2013 at 14:34
Soil sample taken near the rocket warhead
The laboratory analyses of each of those samples is also available in the final appendix of the 41-page report. Continuing the example with the same environmental sample described above, the first lab found no chemical weapons agents but the second lab found evidence of sarin and also lists the presence of other chemicals (ethyl isopropyl, methylphosphonate, isopropyl methyl, methylphosphonate and hexamethylentetramine).The laboratory analyses of each of those samples is also available in the final appendix of the 41-page report. Continuing the example with the same environmental sample described above, the first lab found no chemical weapons agents but the second lab found evidence of sarin and also lists the presence of other chemicals (ethyl isopropyl, methylphosphonate, isopropyl methyl, methylphosphonate and hexamethylentetramine).
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