Mustard Gas
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)
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)