Toxicity of Vesicant Agents Scheduled for Destruction by the Chemical Stockpile Disposal Program

• Published in: Environmental health perspectives Vol. 98; pp. 259 - 280
• Main Authors: Watson, A. P., Griffin, G. D.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences. National Institutes of Health. Department of Health, Education and Welfare 01.11.1992
• Subjects: 550200 > Biochemistry; 560300 > Chemicals Metabolism & Toxicology; Animals; Arsenic Poisoning; Arsenicals; BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES; BIOLOGICAL PATHWAYS; Body weight; BRONCHITIS; CARCINOGENESIS; Cell Membrane Permeability - drug effects; Chemical hazards; Chemical Warfare; CHEMICAL WARFARE AGENTS; Dermatitis, Irritant - etiology; DISEASES; DNA Damage; Dosage; Female; Genetic mutation; Humans; Inhalation; Irritants - chemistry; Irritants - metabolism; Irritants - toxicity; Keratitis - etiology; Lethal Dose 50; Lung Neoplasms - etiology; Male; MILITARY TECHNOLOGY, WEAPONRY, AND NATIONAL DEFENSE; Mustard gas; Mustard Gas - chemistry; Mustard Gas - metabolism; Mustard Gas - toxicity; Mustards; MUTAGENESIS; Mutation; PATHOGENESIS; Pregnancy; RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGS. AND BIOL. MAT; Reproduction - drug effects; RESPIRATORY SYSTEM DISEASES; Respiratory Tract Diseases - etiology; Skin; TOXICITY; WEAPONS 450600 > Military Technology, Weaponry, & National Defense > Chemical & Biological >; World wars
• ISSN: 0091-6765; 1552-9924
• DOI: 10.1289/ehp.9298259

The vesicant agents of the unitary chemical munitions stockpile include various formulations of sulfur mustard [bis-(2-chloroethyl) sulfide; agents H, HD, and HT] and small quantities of the organic arsenical Lewisite [dichloro(2-chlorovinyl) arsine; agent L]. These agents can be dispersed in liquid, aerosol, or vapor form and are capable of producing severe chemical burns upon direct contact with tissue. Moist tissues such as the eyes, respiratory tract, and axillary areas are particularly affected. Available data summarizing acute dose response in humans and laboratory animals are summarized. Vesicant agents are also capable of generating delayed effects such as chronic bronchitis, carcinogenesis, or keratitis/keratopathy of the eye under appropriate conditions of exposure and dose. These effects may not become manifest until years following exposure. Risk analysis derived from carcinogenesis data indicates that sulfur mustard possesses a carcinogenic potency similar to that of benzo[a]pyrene. Because mustard agents are alkylating compounds, they destroy individual cells by reaction with cellular proteins, enzymes, RNA, and DNA. Once begun, tissue reaction is irreversible. Mustard agents are mutagenic; data for cellular and laboratory animal assays are presented. Reproductive effects have not been demonstrated in the offspring of laboratory rats. Acute Lewisite exposure has been implicated in cases of Bowen's disease, an intraepidermal squamous cell carcinoma. Lewisite is not known to generate reproductive or teratogenic effects.