September 2003 |
ToxFAQs™ |
for |
Sulfur Mustard |
(Mostaza de Azufre) |
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This fact sheet answers the most frequently
asked health questions (FAQs) about sulfur mustard. For more
information, call the ATSDR Information Center at 1-888-422-8737.
This fact sheet is one in a series of summaries about hazardous
substances and their health effects. It is important you understand
this information because this substance may harm you. The
effects of exposure to any hazardous substance depend on the
dose, the duration, how you are exposed, personal traits and
habits, and whether other chemicals are present.
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HIGHLIGHTS: The general population
is not exposed to sulfur mustard. Sulfur mustard can cause
irritation and burns of the skin, eyes, and respiratory
tract, reproductive effects, and may cause cancer of the
respiratory tract. This chemical has been found in at
least 3 of the 1,636 National Priorities List sites identified
by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). |
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What
is sulfur mustard? |
Sulfur mustard (HD) is a thick liquid
at ambient temperature, but becomes a solid at 58 °F.
It is heavier than water as a liquid and heavier than air
as a vapor. It does not occur naturally in the environment
It is often called mustard gas, but sulfur mustard is not
likely to change into a gas immediately if it is released
at ordinary temperatures. As a pure liquid, it is colorless
and odorless, but when mixed with other chemicals, it looks
brown and has a garlic-like smell.
Sulfur mustard has been used in chemical
warfare and was made in large amounts during World Wars I
and II. It was reportedly used in the Iran-Iraq war in 1980-1988.
It is not presently used in the United States, except for
research purposes, and the U.S. Department of Defense must
destroy all remaining stocks of sulfur mustard by 2004.
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What
happens to sulfur mustard when it enters the environment? |
- Sulfur mustard would primarily enter the environment through
an accidental release from Army bases where it is stored.
- In soil and water, some sulfur mustard evaporates into
the air and the rest breaks down in minutes to days depending
on environmental conditions.
- Sulfur mustard reacts with chemicals in the air to form
other compounds.
- Sulfur mustard does not move from soil to groundwater,
and it does not build up in the tissues of animals because
it breaks down quickly.
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How
might I be exposed to sulfur mustard? |
- Sulfur mustard is no longer made in the United States
and is only stored at a few Army storage sites; therefore,
the general public is not exposed to sulfur mustard.
- Individuals working at or living near these military storage
sites may be exposed to sulfur mustard if there was an accidental
spill or unplanned release. However, the Army has taken
many precautions to protect the public from exposure to
sulfur mustard.
- Occupational exposures are currently limited to soldiers
in some combat situations; those involved in its shipment,
storage, or disposal; construction workers at storage sites;
research laboratories; and workers involved in plastics
manufacturing resulting from process contamination with
sulfur or nitrogen impurities.
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How
can sulfur mustard affect my health? |
Sulfur mustard can cause skin burns and
blisters, especially around sweaty parts of the body. It is
more harmful to the skin on hot, humid days, or in tropical
climates. Sulfur mustard makes your eyes burn, your eyelids
swell, and causes you to blink a lot. If you breathe sulfur
mustard, it can cause coughing, bronchitis, and long-term
respiratory disease. Exposure to a large amount of sulfur
mustard can cause death. Some men exposed to sulfur mustard
during war have experienced lower sperm counts.
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How
likely is sulfur mustard to cause cancer? |
Studies of people exposed during the
production process or during war, as well as animal studies,
have shown that sulfur mustard may cause respiratory cancer.
The Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) and the
International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) have determined
that sulfur mustard is carcinogenic to humans.
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How
can sulfur mustard affect children? |
Sulfur mustard causes the eyes and skin
of children to burn similarly to adults; however, the burns
are more severe and blisters appear sooner in children.
Limited human and animal data indicate
that sulfur mustard may cause birth defects or otherwise affect
development.
It is not known if sulfur mustard can
cross the placenta or be passed to infants in breast milk.
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How
can families reduce the risk of exposure to sulfur mustard? |
- The risk of exposure to sulfur mustard is generally low,
but may be greater for those who live or work near Army
bases and facilities that store it. Sulfur mustard is currently
being destroyed at these facilities and the risk of exposure
due to accidents is minimal.
- Children should avoid playing near uncontrolled hazardous
waste sites where sulfur mustard may have been discarded.
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Is
there a medical test to show whether I've been exposed to sulfur
mustard? |
Sulfur mustard or its breakdown products
can be detected in your blood and urine within a few weeks
after your last exposure. These tests are not usually available
at your doctor's office, but your doctor can send the samples
to a laboratory that can perform the tests. None of these
tests, however, can predict whether you will experience any
health effects.
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Has
the federal government made recommendations to protect human
health? |
The federal government recommends a maximum
concentration for long-term exposure to sulfur mustard by
the general population of 0.00002 milligrams per cubic meter
of air (0.00002 mg/m³).
The National Advisory Committee has developed
acute exposure guideline levels (AEGLs) to protect people
from the harmful effects of a short-term (8 hours or less)
exposure to sulfur mustard. Three types of AEGLs have been
developed: AEGL-1, AEGL-2, and AEGL-3. For sulfur mustard,
the AEGL-1 values range from 0.40 mg/m³ for a 10-minute exposure
to 0.008 mg/m³ for an 8-hour exposure; exposure to higher
concentrations may result in eye irritation. The AEGL-2 values
range from 0.60 mg/m³ for 10 minutes to 0.013 mg/m³ for 8
hours; exposure to higher concentrations may result in swelling
of the eyes, sensitivity to light, and eye irritation. The
AEGL-3 values range from 3.9 mg/m³ for 10 minutes to 0.27
mg/m³ for 8 hours; exposure to higher concentrations may result
in death.
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References |
Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease
Registry (ATSDR). 2003. Toxicological
Profile for sulfur mustard . (Update) Atlanta,
GA: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Public Health
Service.
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Where can I get
more information? |
ATSDR can tell you where to find occupational
and environmental health clinics. Their specialists can recognize,
evaluate, and treat illnesses resulting from exposure to hazardous
substances. You can also contact your community or state health
or environmental quality department if you have any more questions
or concerns. For more information, contact:
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Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry
Division of Toxicology
1600 Clifton Road NE, Mailstop F-32
Atlanta, GA 30333
Phone: 1-888-42-ATSDR (1-888-422-8737)
FAX: (770)-488-4178
Email: ATSDRIC@cdc.gov
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