Kelsey French 10/3/12

Mustard Gas
C4H8Cl2S

I.

Introduction
Mustard gas also known as sulfur mustard, mustard agent or HD for special forces is an

alkylating agent that functions as a vesicant, which produces blisters on the skin and lungs of an exposed person (2). This particular organic substance is not found in nature and is synthesized most commonly by chlorinating thiodiglycol with hydrochloric acid and is most known for its use as a chemical warfare agent (5).

II.

History of Use
Mustard gas was developed over a period of time through the research of many

scientists. However, it was not until Hans Clarke and Viktor Meyer were able to fully identify the effects of the substance that it was picked up by the German Empire in 1913 (4). The German Army then utilized this mustard gas during World War I against the British soldiers in 1917. The Allies power then captured a stockpile of the Germans mustard gas shells and began to use it themselves until the British were able to formulate their own mustard gas (4). In addition to its usage during World War I, it has also been used in multiple other wars and conflicts up until 1993 when it was banned (6). Some of the more notable conflicts and wars that mustard gas has been used during include World War II, Yemeni conflict and the Iran-Iraq war (10).

Kelsey French 10/3/12 Mustard gas was primarily dispersed as an aerosol mixed with other chemicals that provided the yellow-brown color and garlic odor, during World War I, and subsequent wars/conflicts, it would be sprayed in order to disable the enemy (3). The chemical has additionally been dispersed in bombs, mines, and even artillery shells. Additionally, soldiers exposed to mustard gas, exhibited decreased white blood cell counts thus making mustard gas a suppressor of hematopoiesis this led Yale University to conduct research on a chemical similar to mustard gas, nitrogen mustard, and created the first cancer chemotherapy drug (2). At one point, sulfur mustard was used in the liquid form as a topical treatment for the skin condition psoriasis, but this is no longer used (8).

III.

Chemical Toxicity

Mustard gas causes adverse health effects in humans and exposed animals however, the extent of the effects depends on amount, length and method of exposure. The highly reactive chlorine atom that can bind to many different types of molecules causes the toxic effects of the synthetic chemical (8). For example, it binds to nucleophiles like nitrogen in nucleic acids and sulfur in SH-groups of proteins and peptides therefore, destroying DNA and proteins of an effected organism (10). Acute poisoning from mustard gas will cause a delayed reaction and only after a few hours will it cause nausea, fatigue, headache, and eye inflammation (2). Six to twelve hours later the exposed person will suffer from skin inflammation and blister formation, which will continue to spread for many days leaving a severely blistered body (10). Chronic poising from mustard gas can lead to an increased risk of cancer of the oral cavity and respiratory tract (9).

Kelsey French 10/3/12 In the environment as mustard gas leaches into the soil where water levels are relatively low therefore, the hydrolysis reaction cannot be completed (5). In this case two intermediates of the reaction react with each other creating a stable and non-reactive sulfonium salts that can no longer react, thus giving little to no environmental effects (5). Many in vivo toxicity studies of mustard gas have been performed, especially during its development on people and rabbits in order to determine the toxic properties of the substance (4). In vitro tests involving mustard gas have provided evidence of the mutagenicity of the chemical because it can cause mutations, chromosomal aberrations, the loss of sex chromosomes, chromosomal nondisjunction and heritable translocations (10). The breakdown and metabolism of mustard gas is a hydrolysis reaction. In humans when it is either absorbed into the skin or inhaled, the aqueous environment of the body will facilitate this breakdown. That which is not broken down is stored in fat tissues because the chemical substance is fat soluble (5). During the hydrolysis reaction, the products include HCl and 1,4-thioxane which are both still skin irritants, thus not completely abolish patient suffering (1). In order to handle this chemical safely there are three ways to protect oneself. Due to its skin irritant properties, one needs to keep it away from skin, therefore, wear protective clothing (10). To prevent inhalation, one should wear a protective mask and to prevent eye irritation, one should wear goggles to protect the eyes from contact (8). OSHA, NIOSH or ACGIH do not at the current time have any occupational exposure limits for mustard gas because it is not used in any occupational settings (10). However, the National Advisory Committee for the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) have created suggested exposure limits for exposed personnel. They suggest the

Kelsey French 10/3/12 limits of 3 micrograms per cubic meter for an eight-hour exposure period and 30 micrograms per cubic meter for a one hour exposure (2). The median lethal dose (LD50) of the injection of sulfur mustard for rats is 9 mg/kg , for dogs 20 mg/kg and for rabbits 100mg/ kg (10). The median lethal concentration (LC50) of inhalation of sulfur mustard for 10 minutes in rats is 100mg/m3 , in rabbits is 280 mg/ m3 , and in monkeys is 80 mg/ m3 (10).

IV.

Mustard Gas in the Environment

Mustard Gas doesnt accumulate in aquatic environments since the break down of

mustard gas is facilitated by water, it is broken down quickly and thus not available to accumulate in aquatic organisms cells (7). Mustard gas does however, accumulate in fat tissues of animals due to its high fat solubility. Most of the mustard gas does break down once it is introduced into the human or animal body due to the aqueous environment of the human body before it has the opportunity to become sequestered in fatty tissues (9). Despite this potential accumulation, the chemical continues to breakdown once sequestered thus, not maintaining its toxic viability for an extended period of time. Additionally, smaller animals such as rabbits appear to have a higher tolerance for surviving exposure to mustard gas, therefore, any potential disruption in the food chain would occur at the top level predators in a situation of high acute toxicity of the animals (10).

V.

Regulation
In 1993 the Chemical Weapons Convention outlawed the production, stockpiling and

use of chemical warfare, which included mustard gas (6). Since there are no other useful

Kelsey French 10/3/12 purposes for mustard gas, except as chemical warfare, there are no regulations on its usage, only on its destruction. Since this convention, the US along with many other countries have been destroying their stockpiles of mustard gas. Due to this, there are regulations set forth by the Department of Defense and the EPA for the chemicals destruction (6) . The EPA requires all accidental discharges of mustard gas into the environment of one pound or more to be reported to the EPA for clean up (10). The Department of Defense has set forth a measure of 0.1 microgram/cubic meter for a seventy-two hour exposure for general population (3). In my personal opinion, I believe we are exercising the correct amount of regulation on mustard gas. Research has proven that to our current knowledge there is no other purpose for mustard gas, except for as a chemical warfare agent. Therefore, there is no reason for the US or any other country to maintain any amount of the substance because simply by maintaining a stockpile, it might inadvertently encourage people to utilize it. Our regulatory measures appear to be sufficient based on the research of toxic amounts that people can endure with no reaction. However, our current method of disposal involves incinerating the gas in a secluded location. I am personally unaware nor could I find any information on any toxic air pollution that this causes, but I believe that this should be addressed to ensure that we are not involuntarily harming ourselves while trying to protect others and ourselves from the harmful mustard gas.

Kelsey French 10/3/12

VI.

Bibliography
Science products and services. MSDS Sheet. Web. 1 Oct. 2012 <http://www.sigmaaldrich.com/catalog/product/aldrich/131970?lang=enion=U S>. <http://www.emla.hu/korkep/chems/tfacts49.html>

1) "1,4-Thioxane Sigma-Aldrich." Sigma-Aldrich: Analytical, Biology, Chemistry & Materials

2) "ATSDR - Mustard Gas." U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. 1 Oct. 2012. 3) "CDC | Facts About Sulfur Mustard." CDC Emergency Preparedness & Response Site. 1
Oct. 2012. <http://emergency.cdc.gov/agent/sulfurmustard/basics/facts.asp>.

4) "Germans introduce poison gas - This Day in History History.com History Made

Every Day American & World History. 1 Oct. 2012. <http://www.history.com/thisday-in-history/germans-introduce-poison-gas>.

5) Holland, Rebecca. "Mustard Gas." Bristol University |School of Chemistry. 1 Oct. 2012.
<http://www.chm.bris.ac.uk/mot/mustard/mustard.htm>

6) Ivarsson, U, H Nilsson, and J Santesson. "Mustard agents: description, physical and

chemical properties, mechanism of action, symptoms, antidotes and methods of treatment." Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons. 1 Oct. 2012. <http://www.opcw.org/about-chemical-weapons/types-of-chemicalagent/mustard-agents/>.

7) Kaffka, Alexander V. Sea-dumped chemical weapons: aspects, problems, and solutions.

Dordrecht: Kluwer Academic Publishers, 1996.

8) "Mustard Gas - Public Health." Public Health Home. US Department of Veterans Affairs.
1 Oct. 2012. <http://www.publichealth.va.gov/exposures>

9) Rosenfeld, Paul E., and Lydia Feng. Risks of hazardous wastes. Oxford: William Andrew,
2011.

10) Walton, Perharic , R.L. Maynard, and V.S.G. Murray. "Mustard gas" IPCS INCHEM.
Web. 1 Oct. 2012. <http://www.inchem.org/documents/pims/chemical/mustardg.htm>.