Blister Agents
Overview
This family of chemical agents is also called vesicant agents:
- Mustards (e.g., sulfur mustard)
- Lewisites/chloroarsine agents
- Phosgene oxime
Mustards and lewisites cause blistering on the skin after exposure. Mustard gas is the best-known example. A lesser-known but possible threat is lewisite.
Mustard Gas
Basic Facts
- Mustard agent, in some forms, can be a colorless, oily, odorless liquid.
- Mustard agent can be vaporized to form a gas, if heated.
- In some quantities, this agent may have a slight garlic odor and a yellowish-to-brownish tint.
Mustard Gas as a Weapon
- The agent may be persistent in the soil for weeks but generally only remains on materials after release for days to hours. This is highly dependent on the air temperature and purity of the compound.
- It can still be harmful if it settles in the ground.
- It was introduced as a weapon in World War I.
Mustard Gas Illness
- The agent enters the body through inhalation or contact with skin or eyes.
- The agent can cause skin damage on contact, especially on hot, humid days or in tropical climates.
- Signs and symptoms may not occur immediately. Depending on the severity of the exposure, symptoms may not occur for two to 24 hours.
- Symptoms include:
Skin burns, in which blisters surface within a few days; blisters become large and may be yellowish brown in color
Eyes burning and swelling, which can cause blindness (lasting up to 10 days)
If gas is inhaled, may result in coughing, bronchitis, long-term respiratory disease, and cancer in the airways and lungs later in life
Mustard Gas Diagnosis and Treatment
- No effective medical test exists.
- Urine tests can be inconclusive.
- No specific antidote or treatment exists.
- Supportive medical care is given to the victim to minimize the effects of exposure.
Lessening the Impact of Mustard Gas Exposure
- Move away from the site of exposure immediately and go to higher ground for fresh air.
- As soon as possible, remove outer layer of clothing, place it in a plastic bag, andseal.
- Immediately wash body thoroughly with soap and water.
- Flush irritated eyes with plain water for 10 to 15 minutes.
- Blisters should be treated as burns.
- If mustard agents have been swallowed, do not induce vomiting. Give milk to drink.
- Seek medical attention immediately.
Lewisite
Basic Facts
- Lewisite is also known as L.
- This agent is a chemical warfare agent that causes immediate blistering of the skin and damage to the respiratory system.
- Lewisite is an oily liquid that can be colorless or can appear amber to black.
- This agent smells like geraniums and could be confused with the smell of ammonia.
- Lewisite contains arsenic.
- Lewisite is not found naturally in the environment; when released there, however, it can last for days.
Lewisite as a Weapon
- Lewisite was developed for use in World War I by the United States but was produced too late to be used.
- Lewisite has no other uses except as a chemical warfare agent.
- In a vapor state, lewisite can be released into the air.
- The liquid form of lewisite could possibly be used to poison water or food.
- People are exposed to lewisite by breathing in or ingesting it, or if it comes into contact with their skin or eyes.
Lewisite Illness
Lewisite causes immediate damage to the skin, eyes, and respiratory (breathing) tract.
In addition to its irritative effects, the effects of lewisite exposure are similar to those of arsenic poisoning, including stomach ailments and low blood pressure.
Lewisite causes the following symptoms (all health information was gathered from animal studies, since there are no known cases of human exposure):
- Seconds to minutes:
Skin pain and irritation
Immediate eye irritation, pain, swelling, and tearing
Runny nose, sneezing, hoarseness, bloody nose, sinus pain, shortness of breath, and cough - 15 to 30 minutes:
Skin redness - Within hours:
Blisters
Diarrhea, nausea, and vomiting
Low blood pressure or "lewisite shock" - Within days:
Blisters form lesions - Within weeks:
Discoloration of the skin
Lewisite may cause the following long-term health effects after prolonged exposure or in the case of exposure to high doses:
- Skin burning
- Chronic respiratory disease
- Permanent blindness
Lewisite Diagnosis and Treatment
- The smell of lewisite may signal arelease.
- Diagnosis is confirmed from people's symptoms.
- British-Anti-Lewisite is the preferred antidote and is most effective if given immediately after exposure.
Lessening the Impact of Lewisite Exposure
- Move away from the site of exposure immediately and go to higher ground for fresh air.
- As soon as possible, remove outer layer of clothing, place it in a plastic bag, and seal.
- Immediately wash body thoroughly with soap and water.
- Flush irritated eyes with plain water for 10 to 15 minutes.
- If lewisite has been swallowed, do not induce vomiting or drink fluids.
- Seek medical attention immediately.
More information on disasters and emergencies is available at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Service's website: http://www.hhs.gov/emergency