Mustard Gas

Figure 1.1:Mustard Gas Molecular Structure

How could something with the same name as what you put on your hot dog be so deadly? Easily, mustard gas has nothing to do with mustard; it was named mustard gas because sometimes it smells like mustard. But what is mustard gas you ask?

According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Facts about Sulfur Mustard, mustard gas, also known as sulfur mustard, is a chemical weapon. It is considered a vesicant (blistering agent) because it causes the skin to blister when in contact with it. Mustard gas is usually not in gas form but in liquid form. Mustard gas is clear in pure state and brown when mixed with other chemicals. Same with smell, it has no smell when pure but when mixed with other chemicals may have garlic, onions, or "mustard" smell, quote its name. Mustard gas dissolves in many things like fats, alcohol, water, oils, and gasoline.

Figure 1.2:Blisters Caused by Mustard Gas

Mustard gas was first used by the German Army as a weapon during World War 1 and its usage has steadily declined since then, thanks to international treaties. During the Iran-Iraq War of the 1980s, Iraq ignored these international standards and used the gas against Iranian soldiers, who suffered greatly as a result. Although mustard gas does not cause many fatalities, it does inflict severe injuries and victims require an average hospital stay of 42 days.

Should you be worried about being exposed to mustard gas? According to the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry, Toxicological Profile of Mustard Gas, no. You should not be worried unless you live near the Anniston Army Depot in Alabama, the Pine Bluff Arsenal in Arkansas, Aberdeen Proving Grounds in Maryland, the Umatilla Depot Activity in Oregon, the Tooele Army Depot in Utah, the Pueblo Depot Activity in Colorado, the Blue Grass Army Depot in Kentucky were the US stockpiles mustard gas or munitions and containers. (See Map)

Figure 1.3:Mustard Gas Locations in the United States

At these sites the US is slowly destroying its supply of mustard gas before December 31, 2004, the deadline for destroying any chemical agents passed by public law. When they destroy mustard gas they take the liquid and incinerate it at 2,700 degrees F. From there the exhaust is funneled into another incinerator at 2,200 degrees F for 2 seconds. This process destroys about 99.9999% of the gas. The exhaust is then funneled into a system that decreases its pollution. It is then released into the atmosphere. The only other possible way of being exposed, other then a terrorist attack, is an accidental spill. If a spill would happen, and mustard gas got into the soil it would take up to a day for it to dissipate, but it could take many days depending on the weather; the hotter and windier the better. When it does spill onto soil it turns into a gas or mixes with water in the soil and changes properties.

Figure 1.4:An Iranian Victim of Mustard Gas

According to the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry, Toxicological Profile of Mustard Gas, exposure to mustard gas is very unlikely. It is unlikely to drink it because when mixed with water it changes properties within minutes. If spilled though, it could stay in the ground or its vapor in the air for one to three days. And since it doesnâ€™t occur naturally it makes it seem unlikely to be exposed to it. According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Facts about Sulfur Mustard, if you are exposed either by breathing it in or by skin contact you can expect both short term and long term problems. Within two to forty eight hours after contact the skin turns reddish and itches. This eventually turns into yellow blisters. Depending on the severity of the exposure you might get irritation of the eye, swelling, and tearing, or worse, light sensitivity, severe pain, or temporary blindness. You will also encounter respiratory problems like runny nose, sneezing, bloody nose, pain, shortness of breath, or coughing. Long term problems include scarring from second and third degree burns, or respiratory diseases or infections; it also increases your risk of lung cancer.

As you can see mustard gas is an uncommon chemical agent that the government is destroying as we speak. Therefore exposure is unlikely, but if you are exposed you are in trouble. Some of the effects of exposure can lead to death. Donâ€™t let its name fool you, it has noting to do with the yellow stuff you put on your hot dog.

Notes from:
-CDC Facts About Mustard Gas [Online] http://www.bt.cdc.gov/agents/sulfurmustard/basic/facts.asp
-Toxicological Profile of Mustard Gas, Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry. [Online] http://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/toxprofile/tp49.pdf

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Mustard Gas

This article was written by Blake Wischer

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