Vidyya Medical News Service
*
Volume 3 Issue 164 Published - 14:00 UTC 08:00 EST 17-Sep-2001 Next Update - 14:00 UTC 08:00 EST 18-Sep-2001 Editor: Susan K. Boyer, RN
© RAmEx Ars Medica, Inc.
All rights reserved.
little clear gif used for spacer
 
  Today in Vidyya

Health Information For First Responders - Mustard Gas


The following document has been developed to provide information pertaining to Distilled Mustard (HD) that will help private and public healthcare providers develop plans to prepare for and respond to acts of bioterrorism. This information is maintained to ensure the healthcare community has an up-to-date and reliable source of information pertaining to Mustard Gas (H) as it relates to bioterrorism by the CDC. If you have questions regarding this information please contact the Bioterrorism Preparedness and Response Program at ezr0@cdc.gov.
BLISTER AGENT

 

 

CAS # 505-60-2; 39472-40-7; 68157-62-0
RTECS # WQ0900000
Counter Terrorism Card 0021
MUSTARD
H; HD; HS
Mustard "gas"
Bis-(2-chloroethyl)sulfide
sulfur mustard
1,1', thiobis[2, chloroethane]
Chemical Formula C4H8Cl2S
Molecular mass: 207.32
TYPES OF
HAZARD/
EXPOSURE		 ACUTE HAZARDS/
SYMPTOMS		 PREVENTION FIRST AID/
FIRE FIGHTING
FIRE

Water, fog, foam, CO2. Avoid methods that cause splashing or spreading.
EXPLOSION


EXPOSURE Severe delayed irritant.
Contact with vapor or liquid can be fatal.
 Do not breathe fumes.
Skin contact must be avoided at all times.
 Seek medical attention Immediately.
  • INHALATION
  • delayed severe irritation
  • sneezing, coughing, and bronchitis
  • loss of appetite
  • diarrhea
  • fever
  • apathy
    		•  Hold breath until respiratory protective mask is donned.

    Fire-fighting personnel should wear full protective clothing and respiratory protection during fire-fighting and rescue.

    Positive pressure, full face piece, NIOSH-approved self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) will be worn.

    		 If breathing difficult give oxygen
    If breathing stopped give artificial respiration. Mouth-to-mouth only when no facial contamination.
    • SKIN
  • Rapid penetration without irritation.
  • Swelling (blisters) and reddening (erythema) in 4-24 hours depending on dose.
    		• Protective Gloves: Butyl Rubber Glove M3 and M4 Norton, Chemical Protective Glove Set
    		 Immediately wash skin and clothes with 5% solution of sodium hypochlorite or liquid household bleach within 1 min. Cut and remove clothing, flush skin area again with 5% sodium hypochlorite solution, then wash area with soap and water.
    • EYES
  • tearing (lacrimation)
  • light sensitivity
  • irritation of conjunctiva and cornea
  • severe necrosis
  • loss of eyesight
    		•  Chemical goggles and face shield.
  • Immediately flush eyes with water for 15 minutes.
  • Do not cover with bandages. Use dark or opaque goggles.
    • INGESTION
    		 See Inhalation
    		Do not induce vomiting. Give milk to drink.
    DECONTAMINATION SPILLAGE DISPOSAL PACKAGING & LABELLING
  • Common bleach (NaOCl-), superchlorinated bleaches (Ca(OCl-)2) and chloramine can be used
  • Decontamination solution "DS2" (2% NaOH, 70% diethylenetriamine, 28% ethylene glycol monomethyl ether)
    		• Cover with vermiculite, diatomaceous earth, clay, or fine sand and neutralized as soon as possible using large amounts of 5.25% sodium hypochlorite solution. Scoop up all material and place in an approved container. After sealing, decontaminate the exterior and label. All leaking containers will be packed with sorbent (e.g. vermiculite) placed between the interior and exterior containers. Label and dispose according to regulations. Conduct general area monitoring.
    If sodium hypochlorite solution is not available then use the following in order of preference: Calcium Hypochlorite, contamination Solution No. 2 (DS2), and Super Tropical Bleach Slurry (STB).
    Proper Shipping Name: Toxic liquids, n.o.s.
    DOT Hazard Class: 6.1, Packing Group I, Hazard Zone B
    DOT Label: Poison
    DOT Marking: Toxic liquids, n.o.s. Bis-(2-chloroethyl) sulfide UN 2810, Inhalation Hazard
    DOT Placard: Poison

    NFPA 704 Signal:
    • Health - 4
    • Flammability - 1
    • Reactivity - 1
    • Special - 0
     

    I
    M
    P
    O
    R
    T
    A
    N
    T

    D
    A
    T
    A
    PHYSICAL STATE; APPEARANCE:
     Pure liquid is colorless and odorless . Agent grade material is yellow to dark brown or black and the odor is variously described as similar to burning garlic, horseradish, a characteristic sweetish odor, or a weak, sweet, agreeable odor.

    PHYSICAL DANGERS:
     Rapidly corrosive to brass at 65 °C. Will corrode steel at a rate of 0.0001 in. of steel per month at 65 °C.

    CHEMICAL DANGERS:
     Stable at ambient temperatures. Decomposition temperature is 100-351 °F (149-117 °C). Reacts with water yielding hemimustard ( a short-lived blister agent), thiodyglycol, and hydrogen chloride (HCl) with a half-life of 16 min. (SEE ENVIRONMENTAL).

    OCCUPATIONAL EXPOSURE LIMITS (OELs):
     TLV : 0.003 mg/m3


    		ROUTES OF EXPOSURE:
     The substance can be absorbed into the body by all routes. Tender skin, mucous membrane and perspiration-covered skin is more sensitive to the effects.

    INHALATION RISK:
     MUSTARD, a chlorinated sulfur compound, is a blister agent (vesicant) causing delayed severe damage to the respiratory tract, and an alkylating agent producing cytotoxic action on the hematopoietic (blood-forming) tissues.

    EFFECTS OF SHORT-TERM EXPOSURE:
     MUSTARD is corrosive to the eyes, skin and respiratory tract. The skin healing process is very slow. Exposure to nearly lethal doses can produce injury to bone marrow, lymph nodes, and spleen causing a drop in white blood cell count and resulting in increased susceptibility to local and systemic infections.

    EFFECTS OF LONG-TERM OR REPEATED EXPOSURE:
     The rate of detoxification is very slow in the body and repeated exposures produce a cumulative effects including sensitization, chronic lung impairment (cough, shortness of breath, chest pain), cancer of the mouth, throat, respiratory tract and skin, and leukemia. It may also cause birth defects. A human carcinogen.

    PHYSICAL
    PROPERTIES
    melting point: 13-14°C
    boiling point: 215-217°C (decomposes)
    vapor pressure (20°C): 0.11 mm Hg
    density (20°C): 1.27 g /cm3
    volatility: 600 mg/m3 at 20°C
    specific gravity: 1.27 at 25°C    		 aqueous solubility(20°C): 0.8 g/L
    Miscible with the organophosphorus nerve agents.
    Soluble in fats and oils, gasoline, kerosene, acetone, carbon tetrachloride, alcohol, tetrachloroethane, ethylbenzoate, and ether.
    estimated log Kow: 1.37 - 2.41
    flashpoint: 105 °C
    flammability: (can be ignited by large explosive charges)
    ENVIRONMENTAL
    DATA
  • Bulk MUSTARD can persist for decades in soil or water. When exposed to sea water, mustard forms a thick outer "crust" over a core of mustard which allows the mustard to be brought to the surface where it can injure unsuspecting fishermen who snared plastic lumps of mustard gas in their nets.
  • MUSTARD and a number of its hydrolysis products are oxidized (air, oxygen, hypochlorite, hydrogen peroxide, nitric acid, potassium permanganate, and chromic acid) to give the less toxic sulfoxide and sulfone analogs.
  • MUSTARD and its hydrolysis products do not significantly degrade in sunlight and are stable at less than 49°C.
    • N O T E S
    ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
    Trade Names and Other Synonyms:
    • yperite; Y
    • Kampfstoff Lost
    • Sulphur mustard gas
    • Sulfide, bis (2-chloroethyl)
    • Bis(beta-chloroethyl)sulfide
    • 1,1'-thiobis(2-chloroethane)
    • 1-chloro-2(beta-chloroethylthio)ethane
    • Beta, beta'-dichlorodiethyl sulfide
    • 2,2'dichlorodiethyl sulfide
    • Di-2-chloroethyl sulfideBeta, beta'-dichloroethyl sulfide
    • Iprit S-Lost
    • S-yperite
    • Schewefel-lost
    • Senfgas
    • Yellow Cross Liquid
    • EA 1033

    IMPORTANT NOTICE: MUSTARD (CTC: 0021)    Neither the CDC or NIOSH nor any person acting on behalf of the CDC or NIOSH is responsible for the use which might be made of this information. This card contains the collective views of these agencies and may not reflect in all cases all the detailed requirements in response to a terrorism event on the subject. The user should verify compliance of the cards with the relevant STATE or TERRITORY legislation before use. NIOSH, CDC 2000
    		 
     

    More Today in Vidyya