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BLISTER AGENTS

Blister agents cause skin burns and blisters, and they may damage the eyes, airways, and lungs and other internal organs.

Mustard

Mustard is a blister agent that causes severe skin, lung, or eye damage. The health effects of exposure can be delayed up to 12 hours. It has an odor like mustard, which is similar to onion or garlic. Hours after exposure, the skin may appear red. Upper respiratory problems such as difficulty breathing, coughing, painful sinuses, or sore throat may occur, as well. Over a period of hours, small blisters appear and gradually combine to form large blisters. There is no substance that can undo the poisonous effects for mustard exposure.

Personal protective equipment is necessary to prevent inhaling or skin contact. People exposed need to removed from the source immediately and decontaminated by removing, bagging, and sealing the person's clothing. The skin should be flushed with water and then washed with soap. Mustard is persistent in the environment. Therefore, it is necessary to avoid secondary cases from exposure to contaminated clothing, ground, vegetation, or equipment.

Lewisite

Lewisite is a blister agent that produces immediate effects. Its vapor causes burning or pain in the eyes, nose, and skin. Fresh air can increase the pain. Lewisite may also produce visible tissue damage within several minutes of contact. Later, severe damage to the skin, eyes, or airways may occur. Treatment consists of decontamination, the use of the antidote British Anti-Lewsite (BAL), which is available through hospitals, and supportive care.

Precautions include using appropriate personal protective equipment and immediately removing those who have been exposed from the source. Victims need to be decontaminated by removing, bagging, and sealing clothing. The skin should be flushed with a very diluted amount of household bleach, then washed with soap and water. Like mustard, lewisite is persistent in the environment; requiring care to prevent secondary cases from contaminated clothing, ground, vegetation, or equipment.

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