Agent L Lewisite

Lewisite is a lethal vesicant and systemic poison. The acute toxicology of lewisite has been reviewed by Goldman and Dacre (1989), Watson and Griffin (1992), and Trammell (1992) and, therefore, is only briefly discussed here. 

Acute Toxicity. Liquid lewisite applied by eye-dropper to the forearms of men caused blanching and discoloration of the skin followed by extensive erythema within 15-30 min and vesication within 12 hr (Wardell 1941 as cited in Goldman and Dacre 1989). The pain associated with these dermal exposures reportedly occurred within 2 min, and considerable discomfort persisted for about 1 wk. Other tests with human subjects and clinical reports also indicate a similar temporal sequence of events. Exposure to lewisite vapor (0.06-0.33 mg/ L) caused discoloration and blistering, with the maximum effect occurring by 36 8 hr after exposure (Wardell 1941). At a concentration of 0.01 mg/L, lewisite vapor caused inflammation of the eyes and swelling of the eyelids after 15 min of exposure, and inhalation of 0.5 mg/L for 5 min is considered to be potentially lethal. 

Short-term exposure (10-30 min) of dogs to lewisite vapor (0.05-0.12 mg/ L) produced vomiting, urination, defecation, and severe respiratory distress that resulted in the death of 80% of the dogs within 3 8 hr (Goldman and Dacre 1989). It was not reported whether the exposures were whole body or head only. 

Acute oral toxicity values for lewisite have been summarized by Watson and Griffin (1992). The only available oral LD50 is that for the rat (50 mg/kg). Lethality values for other routes of exposure indicate some species variability, but the values differ by less than an order of magnitude for any particular exposure route. 

Clinical chemistry evaluations revealed a significant (p . 05) decrease in 

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Chemical Agent L (Lewisite) Agent L is a blister agent, Dichloro 2-chlorovinyldichloro-arsine, (CAS 541-25-3) with a chemical formula of C2H2AsC13. 

There are seven sites in the United States where U.S. Unitary Chemical Stockpile exists. Below they are listed by chemical weapon as follows GB, sarin H, mustard HD, mustard HT, mustard VX, persistent nerve agent GA, tabun L, lewisite TGA, thickened tabun TGB, thickened sarin. 

Guides for Emergency Response Chemical Agent or Weapon Blister Agent Lewisite (L), Blister Agent Mustard-Lewisite Mixture (HL)... 

History and Background Information Lewisite (also known as Agent L) is no longer considered a state-of-the-art chemical warfare agent (Franke, 1967 Goldman and Dacre, 1989). Lewisite is relatively simple and inexpensive to produce (Franke, 1967). 

Blister or Vesicant Agents 148 Lewisite (L) 148 Nitrogen Mustards (HN-1, HN-2, HN-3) 152 Sulfur Mustard (Yperite)-Mustard Gas (HD) 153 Phosgene Oxime (CX) 155... 

Organic arsenical L (lewisite) Nerve agents GA (tabun)... 

L Lewisite code designation for CAS541-25-3, a blister agent. 

Picolyl chloride hydrochloride Promethazine hydrochloride Tetramethylammonium hydroxide Xylenesulfonic acid sodium salt Chemical Warfare Agents Lewisite (Agent L)... 

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