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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 can be 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 to12
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.
- Showing
these signs and symptoms does not necessarily mean that a person has
been exposed to sulfur mustard.
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.
- Seek
medical attention right away. Dial 911 and explain what has happened.
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
-
Emergency Preparedness and Response Web site
-
E-mail inquiries: cdcresponse@ashastd.org
-
Mail inquiries:
Public Inquiry c/o BPRP
Bioterrorism Preparedness and Response Planning
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Mailstop C-18
1600 Clifton Road
Atlanta, GA 30333
- Agency
for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) (1-888-422-8737)
-
E-mail inquiries: atsdric@cdc.gov
-
Mail inquiries:
Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry
Division of Toxicology
1600 Clifton Road NE, Mailstop E-29
Atlanta, GA 30333
This
fact sheet is based on CDC’s best current information. It may be
updated as new information becomes available.
The
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) protects people’s
health and safety by preventing and controlling diseases and injuries;
enhances health decisions by providing credible information on critical
health issues; and promotes healthy living through strong partnerships
with local, national, and international organizations.
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