Vesicants - Sulfur Based

Vesicants are hazardous through inhalation, skin and eye exposure, ingestion, and abraded skin (e.g., breaks in the skin or penetrahon of skin by debris). 

Skin impacts from Sulfur Vesicant vapor occur at concentrations as low as 15 ppm (10 minute exposure). Hot, moist skin is at greater risk. High risk areas include the crotch and armpits. 

Eye impacts from Sulfur Vesicant vapor occur at concentrahons as low as 3 ppm (10 minute exposure). 

LD50S for skin exposure to liquid Sulfur Vesicants are as low as 7 gm per individual. 

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This material is on the Australia Group Export Control list and Schedule 3 of the CWC. This material is a general precursor for sulfur based vesicants. 

This material is used as a chlorinating agent for both nitrogen and sulfur based vesicants. Required in the manufacture of methylphosphonic dichloride (C01-C046). 

This material is a precursor for both nitrogen and sulfur based vesicants. 

Na2S hides, and wool pulling, as well as manufacturing paper and pharmaceuticals. Dual Use Various sulfur based Vesicants. Fl.P — IP —... 

S2C12 Dual Use Synthesis of various sulfur based Vesicants. ... 

NAERG 137 SClj Use Used in organic synthesis, and the manufacture of insecticides, vulcanizing oils and rubber. Dual Use Synthesis of various sulfur based Vesicants. Fl.P None IP 9.5 eV... 

Sulfur mustard reacts rapidly with chlorine or with bleach, and this reaction is a suitable means of decontamination. Nitrogen mustards, however, chlorinate extremely slowly thus chlorination is not suitable for their decontamination. The formation of water-soluble salts, such as by neutralization with sodium bisulfate, is the usual method for nitrogen mustard removal from contaminated surfaces. The mustard salts are much less vesicant than the corresponding free bases. 

The data base for sulfur mustard contains two developmental toxicity studies in different species, a reproductive bioassay and a standard subchronic toxicity study in one species. In addition, chronic inhalation studies have been conducted on sulfur mustard using rats, mice, guinea pigs and dogs. The principal study identifies a toxic effect that is consistent with the vesicant properties of sulfur mustard. There is no evidence that any other experimental species would be more sensitive to ingested sulfur mustard therefore, additional oral toxicity studies in other species are not considered critical. 

In 1990, urine samples from an accidental laboratory exposure to sulfur mustard were obtained (Jakubowski et al., 2000). The erythematous and vesication areas of the individual were estimated to be less than 5% and 1%, respectively, of the total body surface area. The assay measured both free and conjugated TDG using GC-MS (Jakubowski et al., 1990). The maximum TDG urinary excretion rate was 20 (pg/day on day 3. TDG concentrations of 10 ng/mL or greater were observed in some samples for up to a week after the exposure. A first-order elimination was calculated from days 4 through 10 and found to be 1.2 days. A great deal of intraday variability was noted for the TDG urine concentrations. Attempts were made to estimate the total amount of sulfur mustard on the skin of the patient. The estimate was based on two assumptions (1) that the assay for the free and conjugated TDG represents approximately 5% of the total amount of sulfur mustard related products in the blood, and (2) that the bioavailability factor from skin to blood is 10. A total of 0.243 mg of TDG was recovered over a 2 week period. This would represent 4.86 mg in the blood or 48.6 mg on the skin. 

ClCH2CH2OH various sulfur and nitrogen based Vesicants. None established ... 

Based on the Draft Final Standard Operating Procedure for the EDS (U.S. Army, 2001e), the mixture of sulfur mustard and phenylarsenic chlorides contained in Winterlost is likely to be treated according to the same protocol as HD alone, i.e., 90 percent MEA, 10 percent water, at 60 C for 4 hours. While MEA will break the As-Cl bonds associated with the vesicant activity of DA and PD, it is unclear whether the treatment will break the phenyl-As bonds. Further posttreatment may be needed to prepare the neutralent for disposal. Much the same situation arises with the proposed neutralization of DA and PD in the absence of HD. The Army plans to treat the agent and mnnition residues in the EDS with denatured 95 percent ethanol (or possibly acetone for DA) at ambient temperature for 1 hour. While this treatment will dissolve the organoarsenic compounds and partially hydrolyze the As-Cl bonds, it will produce a neutralent requiring signiflcant further treatment. 

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