what is sarin
What sarin is. 1  Sarin is a human-made chemical warfare agent classified as a nerve agent. 2  Sarin originally was developed in 1938 in Germany as a pesticide. 3  Sarin is a clear, colorless, and tasteless liquid that has no odor in its pure form. 4  Sarin is also known as GB. Nerve agents are the most toxic and rapidly acting of the known chemical warfare agents. 2  They are similar to certain kinds of insecticides (insect killers) called organophosphates in terms of how they work and what kind of harmful effects they cause.