Mustard Gas
What is it?
The chemical name for sulfur mustard gas is 1,1-thiobis(2-chloroethane).
Mustard Gas made of many manufactured chemicals including sulfur mustard. It is a blister agent and can be spread over a large area by using conventional bombs, rockets and artillery shells. Mustard Gas was first used in World War I where knowledge of the chemical was limited. The wind determined in which direction the gas went and many troops were killed by their own gas attacks.
What are the symptoms of this type of attack?
Mustard gas can burn skin leading to second and third degree burns causing blisters especially in hot climates. It makes the eyes burn, eyelids swell and which makes you blink. If you breathe mustard gas, it can cause coughing, bronchitis, and long-term respiratory disease. It can even lead to death.
Treatment of Victims
There no specific antidote to mustard gas, so as much is done as possible to limit the effects by using symptoms antibiotics, painkillers, skin dressings and other therapies. In more serious cases skin graphs are used.
University of Bristol Link
For more information on the chemistry of mustard gas from the University of Bristol go to:
www.bris.ac.uk/Depts/Chemistry/MOTM/mustard/mustard.htm