Dermal toxicity sulfur mustard

The final type of chemical toxicity that will be presented are the vesicants, chemicals that cause blisters on the skin. There are two classes of blisters that implicate different mechanisms of vesication. Intraepidermal blisters are usually formed due to the loss of intercellular attachment caused by cytotoxicity or cell death. The second class occurs within the epidermal-dermal junction (EDJ) due to chemical-induced defects in the basement membrane components. The classic chemical associated with EDJ blisters is the chemical warfare agent sulfur mustard (bis-2-chloroethyl sulfide HD). HD is a bifunctional alkylating agent that is highly reactive with many biological macromolecules, especially those containing nucleophilic groups such as DNA and proteins. 

War I. More recent use occurred in Middle East conflicts. Its oily nature makes it persistent on surfaces it contacts. Because sulfur mustard exerts toxic effects following dermal, ocular, and inhalation exposure, its use necessitated fiill body protection which, in tmn, required the development of protective clothing and significant changes in warfare operations. 

The mechanism of action of sulfur mustard is multifaceted and complex, and has been reviewed in some detail by Papirmeister et al. (1991), Hurst and Smith (2008), and Smith et al. (2008). Efforts to understand the mechanisms of sulfur mustard toxicity are ongoing. Basically, sulfur mustard disrupts the interface of the epidermis and basement membrane causing blistering between the epidermis and dermis. Both immediate (immediate cell membrane damage) and delayed phases (secondary effects resulting from inflammatory responses, DNA damage, vascular leakage) have been described for sulfur mustard-induced dermal effects (Somani and Babu, 1989). Many of the toxic effects of sulfur mustard can be attributed to oxidative stress. 

Paromov, V., Suntres, Z., Smith, M., Stone, W.L. (2007). Sulfur mustard toxicity following dermal exposure role of oxidative stress, and antioxidant therapy. J. Burns Wounds 1 7. 

A total of 29.8 5.31 ig sulfur mustard per animal was absorbed, 90% of which remained in the skin. This result agrees with an in vitro study by Hattersley et al. (2008) using human skin samples, which confirmed that a depot of sulfur mustard existed for at least 24 h following dermal exposure, and estimated concentrations in skin is at least 20 times above the acutely toxic concentration. 

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