Mustard Gas

Mustard gas deals with several manufactured chemicals, including Sulfur Mustard, that don't naturally occur in the environment.
--It is actually a liquid form that is colorless and odorless, but when mixed with other chemicals it turns to a brownish
    color and has a garlic smell to it
--It has been used in warfare as a chemical agent since World War I and II

Mustard gas can affect our health.
--If you come in contact with it, it causes skin burns and blisters, burns your eyes, your eyelids swell
--If you breathe it, it causes coughing, bronchitis, and long-term respiratory problems
--If exposed to a large amount of mustard gas, you can die

How does this Mustard gas work?
--Health effects due to exposure to this chemical agent depend on the amount you are exposed to, the route of exposure,
    and the length of time that you are exposed
--It damages DNA
--The vapors from Mustard gas are heavier than air so they stay in low-lying areas
--Sulphur mustard is an alkylating agent. Alkylating
             agents bind covalently to various nucleophilic molecules such
             as DNA, RNA, proteins and components of cell membranes
             (Somani & Babu, 1989).
            
             DNA: Mustard gas causes cross linking of DNA strands.
             Alkylation of DNA can result in the disruption of its
             function, i.e. coding errors, breakage of the strand, low
             fidelity repair, inhibition of replication and cell
             death.

Immediate signs and symptoms:

  • skin: redness and itching of the skin which may
            change to yellow blisters
  • eyes: irritation, pain, swelling
             severe exposure may cause light sensitivity,
               severe pain, or blindness
  • respiratory: runny nose, sneezing, hoarseness, sinus
                      pain, shortness of breath, and cough
  • digestive: abdominal pain, diarrhea, fever, nausea, and
                   vomiting

--Mustard gas is a synthetic substance prepared by treating ethylene with sulfur chloride (Levinstein process)
       --so therefore it is much like a double replacement chemical reaction

 

(pictures taken from 'Mustard Gas Cannisters' off of Yahoo pictures)


For more info on Mustard gas (sulfur mustard) you can contact the following :

             - Regional poison control center (1-800-222-1222)
             - Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
                                 phone: (1-888-246-2675)
                                 e-mail: cdcresponse@ashastd.org
             - Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (1-888-422-8737)

 

Go to Center for Disease Control: Mustard Gas

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