Mustard Agent Fact Sheet

Blue Grass Chemical Activity

Characteristics of Mustard (Blister) Agents

For more information, An exterior view of an igloo storing chemical weapons at Blue Grass Army Depot. Inset: A placard denotes the type of agent contact the contained within an igloo. Blue Grass Chemical Activity Public Affairs Of ce Mustard (blister) agent, purified sulfur lethal dose, injury to bone marrow, lymph (859) 779-6897 mustard or distilled mustard, has a 5 nodes and spleen may occur. Mustard

or the percent sulfur impurity, less odor and agent is toxic and the International Agency CMA Public Affairs Of ce greater blistering power than the original for Research on Cancer has deemed it a (800) 488-0648 mustard agent used in World War I. carcinogen (cancer-causing agent). The mustard agent stored at Blue Grass Are mustard agents harmful? Chemical Activity is known as Agent It would take an accident such as an H, and contains about 20-30 percent explosion or fire in order to be exposed impurities. In its pure liquid state, mustard to mustard agent. In a fire, most of agent is colorless. However, when exposed the agent would burn up, but some to impurities, it becomes a pale yellow would stay in the smoke. Emergency to brown oily substance. Mustard agent officials call this smoky cloud and the freezes at 58 F, is liquid at any temperature invisible parts around it the plume. above 58 F and boils (becomes a vapor with a garlic-like odor) at 419 F. As the plume drifts away from the scene of the accident, small drops of the blister Exposure to mustard agent causes agent may fall to the ground. These liquid inflammation of the eyes, nose, throat, drops are called the aerosol. The aerosol is trachea, bronchi and lung tissue and blisters harmful if it makes contact with the skin or the skin. In amounts approaching the if contaminated food or drink is consumed.

BlueGrass_fs_CharMustardAgent_7-11.indd Characteristics of Mustard (Blister) Agents This is very unlikely because the aerosol is What are the signs of exposure? heavy and quickly falls out of the plume Symptoms of mustard exposure may close to the accident site. not show up for two to 24 hours. Some tiny parts of the mustard, called Symptoms may include redness and vapor, stay in the plume as it drifts from stinging of eyes or skin, followed by the accident. Vapor inhalation is harmful. skin blisters, burning of the nose and Because the vapor travels farther from sinuses, sore throat and hoarseness or the accident than the aerosol, it is the coughing. The severity of exposure greater danger over a large area. Do not depends on how much mustard is in the depend on seeing or smelling mustard vapor and the length of time of exposed. vapors when asked to take protective Avoiding the mustard vapor should always action. Invisible mustard vapors will be the primary goal. However, anyone with expand beyond any visible smoke, and the symptoms of mustard exposure should call faint garlic-like odor of mustard is not a for medical help immediately and follow trustworthy sign of a hazard because lower those instructions. levels of vapor, which are odorless, can Anyone outside before taking shelter or be harmful. However, the vapor becomes leaving the area who suspects mustard less harmful the farther the plume travels exposure should take the following steps: as it mixes clean air. The clean air dilutes If in a sealed shelter, take off outer clothing, the agent until it is no longer harmful. put them in a plastic bag and seal the bag. To better understand a mustard exposure, If water is available in the shelter, wash or one can use the following analogy. Like take a cool to warm (not hot) shower, using mustard, perfume in a bottle is liquid. lots of soap and water. Keep soap out of When sprayed, the liquid becomes an eyes; just use lots of water. Don’t ventilate aerosol. If sprayed on someone, the or leave the sealed shelter until told to do perfume drops will cling to skin, hair so. Anyone who does leave the area should and clothes. If sprayed the other side of tell emergency responders or medical staff the room, the aerosol drops won’t touch about any possible mustard exposure. Tell skin or clothing, but the fragrance is still emergency responders about the sealed bag detectable. That fragrance is the vapor. so that they can arrange for its safe removal after the emergency.