Lewisite protection against

Like mustard gas, lewbite b almost immediately decompo.scd in the presence of alkalies, such as caustic soda (5 per cent solution) or ammonia, and by active oxydants, such as chloride of lime and the hyiiochloritcK. the rea< tion being greatly accelerated by heat. Hence terrain and material contaminated with lewbite are decontaminated with the same materials as mustard gas. Abo, like mustard, lewisite readily penetrates clothing, leather, rubber, and the tissues of the body, and hence is just ai difficult to protect against. 

Lewisite is the only vesicant with a proven antidote—British anti-lewisite (2,3-dimercaptopropa-nol). Increasing antioxidant levels have been found to be protective against the mustards analog, NAC. NAC, which we have used in our studies with CEES, is immediately clinically available. It is most commonly used for acetaminophen overdose. NAC has a long history of several gram quantities administered in several doses and has minimal adverse reactions. In the case of acetaminophen overdose, it is administered via the oral-gastric route, which increases hepatic GSH levels, and in turn, suppresses inflammatory cytokines (Dambach et al., 2006). Liposome encapsulation of both water- and fat-soluble antioxidants was proven to be more effective in the suppression of OS than the free molecule of NAC. 

The casualty must be removed from the source of contamination rescue workers must be protected against liquid lewisite by protective clothing, gloves and boots and against the vapour by... 

CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention). 1988. Final Recommendations for Protecting Health and Safety Against Potential Adverse Effects of Long-Term Exposure to Low Doses of Agents GA, GB, VX Mustard Agent (H, HD, T) and Lewisite (L). Federal Register, Vol. 53, No. 50, March 15. 

DHHS (US Department of Health and Human Services) (1988). Final recommendations for protecting the health and safety against potential adverse effects of long-term exposure to low doses of agents GA, GB, VX, mustard agent (H, HD, HT), and lewisite (L). US Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Disease Control. Fed. Reg. 53(50) 8504-7. 

Partial protection was afforded by monothiols, such as cysteine or GSH, when tested against pymvate oxidase (Goldman and Dacre, 1989), which was thought to be one of the prime targets of Lewisite. British anti-lewisite or 2,3-dimercaptopropanol preferentially binds with arsenicals over the thiol rings in proteins to form a nontoxic five-membered stable ring, which reverses the lesion induced by... 

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