Introduction: Chemical weapons significantly threaten global security and public health by causing mass casualties and fear. Their use has increased recently due to high-profile attacks and evolving terrorism. Understanding these patterns is crucial for developing effective countermeasures and preparedness strategies. This study analyzes the geographical distribution and temporal trends of chemical weapon usage in terrorist events from 1970 to 2020. Methods: This descriptive observational study draws data from the Global Terrorism Database (GTD) from January 1, 1970, through December 31, 2020. Data extraction focused on incident dates, locations, and regional contexts. Geospatial analysis and temporal categorization were conducted to identify trends and hotspots. Statistical methods included descriptive statistics, GIS mapping, time series analysis, and cluster analysis to detect significant patterns and correlations in the data. Results: A total of 270 chemical weapon incidents were recorded from 1970 to 2020. The Middle East and North Africa emerged as primary hotspots, with significant clusters in countries such as Iraq and Syria. Notable incidents also occurred in Eastern Europe and Southeast Asia. Temporal analysis revealed significant spikes in the 1980s and 2010s, coinciding with major geopolitical conflicts. Spatial analysis identified major urban centers and conflict zones, such as Baghdad, Aleppo, and Kabul, as focal points for these attacks, highlighting their strategic use in densely populated areas. Specifically, the 1980s saw a significant spike with 50 incidents in the Middle East and North Africa, while the 2010s recorded 100 incidents in the same region. Conclusion: The findings underscore the critical need for targeted preparedness and response strategies in high-risk regions. Enhanced training for emergency responders, prioritized allocation of resources, and coordinated international policy efforts are essential to mitigate the impact of chemical weapon terrorism. This study provides valuable insights for prehospital and disaster medicine, emphasizing the importance of continuous monitoring and adaptation to emerging threats.
Shin et al. (Sun,) studied this question.