Facts
About Sulfur Mustard
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What
sulfur mustard is
- Sulfur mustard
is a type of chemical warfare agent. These kinds of agents are called
vesicants or blistering agents, because they cause blistering of the
skin and mucous membranes on contact. - Sulfur mustard
is also known as “mustard gas or mustard agent,” or by the military
designations H, HD, and HT. - Sulfur mustard
sometimes smells like garlic, onions, or mustard and sometimes has no
odor. It can be a vapor (the gaseous form of a liquid), an oily-textured
liquid, or a solid. - Sulfur mustard
can be clear to yellow or brown when it is in liquid or solid form.
Where sulfur mustard is found and how it is used
- Sulfur mustard
is not found naturally in the environment. - Sulfur mustard
was introduced in World War I as a chemical warfare agent. Until recently,
it was available for use in the treatment of a skin condition called
psoriasis. Currently, it has no medical use.
How
people are exposed to sulfur mustard
- If sulfur
mustard is released into the air as a vapor, people can be exposed through
skin contact, eye contact, or breathing. Sulfur mustard vapor can be
carried long distances by wind. - If sulfur
mustard is released into water, people can be exposed by drinking the
contaminated water or getting it on their skin. - People can
be exposed by coming in contact with liquid sulfur mustard. - Sulfur mustard
can last from 1 to 2 days in the environment under average weather conditions
and from weeks to months under very cold conditions. - Sulfur mustard
breaks down slowly in the body, so repeated exposure may have a cumulative
effect (that is, it can build up in the body).
How
sulfur mustard works
- Adverse
health effects caused by sulfur mustard depend on the amount people
are exposed to, the route of exposure, and the length of time that people
are exposed. - Sulfur mustard
is a powerful irritant and blistering agent that damages the skin, eyes,
and respiratory (breathing) tract. - It damages
DNA, a vital component of cells in the body. - Sulfur mustard
vapor is heavier than air, so it will settle in low-lying areas.
Immediate
signs and symptoms of sulfur mustard exposure
- Exposure
to sulfur mustard is usually not fatal. When sulfur mustard was used
during World War I, it killed fewer than 5% of the people who were exposed
and got medical care. - People may
not know right away that they have been exposed, because sulfur mustard
often has no smell or has a smell that might not cause alarm. - Typically,
signs and symptoms do not occur immediately. Depending on the severity
of the exposure, symptoms may not occur for 2 to 24 hours. Some people
are more sensitive to sulfur mustard than are other people, and may
have symptoms sooner. - Sulfur mustard
can have the following effects on specific parts of the body:- Skin:
redness and itching of the skin may occur 2 to 48 hours after exposure
and change eventually to yellow blistering of the skin. - Eyes:
irritation, pain, swelling, and tearing may occur within 3 to 12
hours of a mild to moderate exposure. A severe exposure may cause
symptoms within 1 to 2 hours and may include the symptoms of a mild
or moderate exposure plus light sensitivity, severe pain, or blindness
(lasting up to 10 days). - Respiratory
tract: runny nose, sneezing, hoarseness, bloody nose, sinus
pain, shortness of breath, and cough within 12 to 24 hours of a
mild exposure and within 2 to 4 hours of a severe exposure. - Digestive
tract: abdominal pain, diarrhea, fever, nausea, and vomiting.
- Skin:
What the long-term health effects may be
- Exposure
to sulfur mustard liquid is more likely to produce second- and third-
degree burns and later scarring than is exposure to sulfur mustard vapor.
Extensive skin burning can be fatal. - Extensive
breathing in of the vapors can cause chronic respiratory disease, repeated
respiratory infections, or death. - Extensive
eye exposure can cause permanent blindness. - Exposure
to sulfur mustard may increase a person’s risk for lung and respiratory
cancer.
How
people can protect themselves and what they should do if they are exposed
to sulfur mustard
- Because
no antidote exists for sulfur mustard exposure, the best thing to do
is avoid it. Immediately leave the area where the sulfur mustard was
released. Try to find higher ground, because sulfur mustard is heavier
than air and will settle in low-lying areas. - If avoiding
sulfur mustard exposure is not possible, rapidly remove the sulfur mustard
from the body. Getting the sulfur mustard off as soon as possible after
exposure is the only effective way to prevent or decrease tissue damage
to the body. - Quickly
remove any clothing that has liquid sulfur mustard on it. If possible,
seal the clothing in a plastic bag, and then seal that bag inside a
second plastic bag. - Immediately
wash any exposed part of the body (eyes, skin, etc.) thoroughly with
plain, clean water. Eyes need to be flushed with water for 5 to 10 minutes.
Do NOT cover eyes with bandages, but do protect them with dark glasses
or goggles. - If someone
has ingested sulfur mustard, do NOT induce vomiting. Give the person
milk to drink. - Stay calm.
Dial 911 and explain what has happened. - Wait for
emergency personnel to arrive.
How
sulfur mustard exposure is treated
The most important
factor is removing sulfur mustard from the body. Exposure to sulfur mustard
is treated by giving the victim supportive medical care to minimize the
effects of the exposure. Though no antidote exists for sulfur mustard,
exposure is usually not fatal.
Where
people can get more information about sulfur mustard
For more information
about sulfur mustard, people can contact the following:
- Regional
poison control center (1-800-222-1222) - Centers
for Disease Control and Prevention Public Response Hotline (CDC)- English
(888) 246-2675 - Español
(888) 246-2857 - TTY
(866) 874-2646
- English
- Agency for
Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) (1-888-422-8737)