Arsenic vesicants vapors

Skin impacts from Arsenical Vesicant vapor occur at concentrations as low as 17 ppm (10 minute exposure). 

Eye impacts from Arsenical Vesicant vapor occur at concentrations as low as 3 ppm (10 minute exposure). Permanent eye damage may occur at concentrations as low as 18 ppm (10 minute exposure). 

Arsenical Vesicant vapors are decomposed rapidly by high humidity. Limited solubility slows the rate of hydrolysis of liquid agents. 

Small Areas Decontaminate with copious amounts of full strength household bleach. Removal of porous material, including painted surfaces, that may have absorbed Arsenical Vesicant vapor may be required as these materials could continue to re-release vapor after exposure has ceased. 

For military purposes, unmodified arsenic vesicants are classified as persistent. However, agent vapors rapidly react with high humidity to lose most of their vesicant properties. Limited solubility slows the hydrolysis of liquid agents. Some hydrolysis products are highly toxic and extremely persistent (see Section 4.4.5). Evaporation rates range from near that of water down to that of light machine oil. 

Heat from a fire will increase the amount of agent vapor in the area. A significant amount of the agent could be volatilized and escape into the surrounding environment before it is consumed by the fire. Actions taken to extinguish the fire can also spread the agent. Combustion or hydrolysis of arsenic vesicants will produce volatile, toxic decomposition products (see Section 4.4.5). 

Because of the extreme dermal hazard posed by arsenic vesicants, responders should wear a Level A protective ensemble whenever there is a potential for exposure to any liquid agent, or to an elevated or unknown concentration of agent vapor. 

Standard burials are acceptable when contamination levels are low enough to allow bodies to be handled without wearing additional protective equipment. Cremation may be required if remains cannot be completely decontaminated. Although arsenic vesicant agents are destroyed at the operating temperature of a commercial crematorium (i.e., above 1000°F), the initial heating phase may volatilize some of the agents and allow vapors to escape. Additionally, combustion will produce toxic and potentially volatile arsenic oxides. 

Arsenical Vesicants produce pain immediately. Skin impacts begin appearing within minutes of exposure, although it may be up to 18 hours before the full lesion develops. Inhalation of high concentrations may be fatal in as short a time as 10 minutes. Pulmonary edema caused by inhalation of the agent vapor may be delayed for several hours. 

Vapors from Arsenical Vesicants have a density greater than air and tend to collect in low places. Liquids are persistent but are rapidly decomposed by water. These agents are absorbed into porous material, including painted surfaces, and these materials could continue to re-release vapor after exposure has ceased. Agent vapor is rapidly decomposed by moisture in the air. The rate of hydrolysis of liquid agents is limited by their low solubility in water. The liquid density of these agents is greater than that of water. 

Vesicants may be volatilized during a fire or be spread by efforts to extinguish the fire. Combustion of Arsenical Vesicants will produce volatile, toxic arsenic decomposition products. In addition. Arsenical Vesicants may react with steam or water during a fire to produce toxic, corrosive and/or flammable vapors. Hydrogen produced by the action of the corrosive vapors on metals or other corrodible materials may be present. 

Military Vapor Lewisite is the only Arsenical Vesicant that can be... 

Vapor Some, but not all components of Sulfur/Arsenical Vesicants can be detected by the M256A1 Kit, and the CAM. 

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