Vesicant chemical warfare agents

Arroyo, C.M., Burman, D.L., Kahler, D.W., Nelson, M.R., Corun, C.M., Guzman, J.J., Smith, M.A., Purcell, E.D., Hackley, B.E., Soni, S.D., Broomfield, C.A. (2004). TNF-alpha expression patterns as potential molecular biomarker for human skin cells exposed to vesicant chemical warfare agents sulfur mustard (HD) and Lewisite (L). Cell Biol. Toxicol. 20 345-59. 

Sesquimustard has not been typically listed as a chemical warfare agent until it was listed in the CWC Schedule I. It is one of the most powerful vesicants currently known and is highly toxic by inhalation. 

The majority of these materials are first generation chemical warfare agents employed in World War I. They are moderately difficult to synthesize and can be difficult to disperse effectively. For information on some of the chemicals used to manufacture arsenic vesicants, see the Component section (C04-C) following information on the individual agents. 

Mustard gas (H)—also known as yellow cross, yperite, sulfur mustard, Schwefellost, bis(2-chloroethyl) sulfide, and dichlor-diethylsulfide—is a chemical-warfare agent with both vesicant and systemic effects. H is colorless and almost odorless and is an oily liquid at 14-215°C with a molecular weight of 159.08. Except in extremely cold weather, the low vapor pressure (0.072 mm Hg at 20°C) and low volatility of H are sufficient to make contaminated surfaces a source of danger to anyone nearby. H is slightly soluble... 

Muir, B., Quick, S., Slater, B J. et al. (2005) Analysis of chemical warfare agents II. Use of thiols and statistical experimental design for the trace level determination of vesicant compounds in air samples. Journal of Chromatography A, 1068(2), 315-26. 

Chemical warfare agents (CWA) are classified into several categories, for example, nerve agents and vesicants. Tear gases are forbidden as a method of warfare but still allowed for riot control purposes. The CWC fists chemicals in three Schedules, which have been constructed on the basis of the toxicity of the chemicals, their industrial use, and historical usage as warfare agents. Schedule 1 consists of families of toxic chemicals, which have been developed, produced, stockpiled, or used as chemical weapons, for example, sarin and mustard gas. These chemicals have little industrial use. Schedule 3, on the other hand, consists of 17 single chemicals with... 

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. 

Gordon, R., Baker, K., Askins, L., Ratcliffe, R., Lindsay, D., Owens, R. et al. (2006). Chemical warfare agents (organophosphates and vesicant) and biological decontamination and detoxification using polyurethane sponges. Toxicologist 9fS 393. 

Hurst, C.G., Smith, W.J. (2008). Health effects of exposure to vesicant agents. In Chemical Warfare Agents, Chemistry, Pharmacology, Toxicology, and Therapeutics (J. Romano, Jr., B. Lukey, H. Salem, eds), pp. 293-312. CRC Press, Boca Raton, FL. 

Lewisite is a local and pulmonary irritant, a vesicant, and a systemic poison. When ingested with food, it produces severe gastrointestinal irritation. The eyes, respiratory tract, and skin are the most likely sites of exposure when lewisite is used as a chemical warfare agent. The agent is lipophilic... 

Hurst, C.G., Smith, W.J. (2008). Health effects of exposure to vesicant agents. In Chemical Warfare Agents Chemistry,... 

Subcommittee on Toxicity Values for Selected Nerve and Vesicant Agents, Committee on Toxicology Review of Acute Human-Toxicity Estimates for Selected Chemical-Warfare Agents. National Academy Press, Washington, DC. 

Toxicokinetics of Chemical Warfare Agents Nerve Agents and Vesicants... 

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