Mustard gas is a clear amber colored oily liquid with a faint odor of mustard/garlic. It is not readily combustible. Its vapors are heavier than air, are very toxic, and can be absorbed through the skin. The effects from exposure to the material include blindness which may be delayed. Prolonged exposure of the container to fire or intense heat may cause it to violently rupture and rocket. Mustard gas is also known as dichlorodiethyl sulfide.

• Water-Reactive

Reacts with water or steam very slowly to produce toxic and corrosive fumes(oxides of sulfur and chlorine)

Can be ignited by large explosive charge. When heated to decomposition, emits highly toxic fumes of oxides of sulfur and chlorine containing compounds. Reacts with water or steam to produce toxic and corrosive fumes. Containers may rupture violently in a fire. Incompatible with bleaching powder. Reacts violently with oxidizing materials. Reacts with water or steam to produce toxic and corrosive fumes. Unstable, hydrolyzed in aqueous solution. Avoid high heat; contact with acid or acid fumes. (EPA, 1998)

The median lethal dosage is 1500 mg-minute/m3 for inhalation and 10,000 mg-minute/m3 for skin absorption (masked personnel). The median incapacitating dosage is 200 mg-minute/m3 for eye injury and 2000 mg-minute/m3 for skin absorption (masked personnel). Wet skin absorbs more material than dry skin. May cause death or permanent injury after very short exposure to small quantities. It is a blistering gas and is highly irritating to eyes, skin, and lungs. Pulmonary lesions are often fatal. Permanent eye damage and severe respiratory impairment. It is a carcinogen. (EPA, 1998)

MUSTARD GAS is incompatible with bleaching powder. Reacts violently with oxidizing materials. Reacts with water or steam to produce toxic and corrosive fumes. Unstable, hydrolyzed in aqueous solution. Avoid high heat; contact with acid or acid fumes. [EPA, 1998].

• Halogenated Organic Compounds
• Sulfides, Organic
• Reducing Agents, Strong

No information available.

Excerpt from ERG Guide 153 [Substances - Toxic and/or Corrosive (Combustible)]:

As an immediate precautionary measure, isolate spill or leak area in all directions for at least 50 meters (150 feet) for liquids and at least 25 meters (75 feet) for solids.

SPILL: If this material is being used as a weapon, see ERG Table 1 - Initial Isolation and Protective Action Distances on the UN/NA 2810 datasheet. Otherwise increase, in the downwind direction, as necessary, the isolation distance shown above.

FIRE: If tank, rail car or tank truck is involved in a fire, ISOLATE for 800 meters (1/2 mile) in all directions; also, consider initial evacuation for 800 meters (1/2 mile) in all directions. (ERG, 2016)

Protective clothing and self-contained breathing apparatus required in presence of mustard gas.

Cool all affected containers with flooding quantities of water. Apply water from as far a distance as possible.

Extinguish with water, foam, dry chemical, or carbon dioxide. (EPA, 1998)

Excerpt from ERG Guide 153 [Substances - Toxic and/or Corrosive (Combustible)]:

ELIMINATE all ignition sources (no smoking, flares, sparks or flames in immediate area). Do not touch damaged containers or spilled material unless wearing appropriate protective clothing. Stop leak if you can do it without risk. Prevent entry into waterways, sewers, basements or confined areas. Absorb or cover with dry earth, sand or other non-combustible material and transfer to containers. DO NOT GET WATER INSIDE CONTAINERS. (ERG, 2016)

For emergency situations, wear a positive pressure, pressure-demand, full facepiece self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) or pressure- demand supplied air respirator with escape SCBA and a fully-encapsulating, chemical resistant suit. (EPA, 1998)

Normalized Breakthrough Times (in Minutes)

Chemical	CAS Number	State	QC	SL	TF	TP	C3	BR	RC	TK	RF
Sulfur mustard (10 g/m²)	505-60-2	Liquid		>480			120	>480	>480	>480	>480
Sulfur mustard (100 g/m²)	505-60-2	Liquid			>480	>480		>480	>480	>480	>480

Special Warnings from DuPont

1. Serged and bound seams are degraded by some hazardous liquid chemicals, such as strong acids, and should not be worn when these chemicals are present.
2. CAUTION: This information is based upon technical data that DuPont believes to be reliable. It is subject to revision as additional knowledge and experience are gained. DuPont makes no guarantee of results and assumes no obligation or liability...
   More Info...
   ... in connection with this information. It is the user's responsibility to determine the level of toxicity and the proper personal protective equipment needed. The information set forth herein reflects laboratory performance of fabrics, not complete garments, under controlled conditions. It is intended for informational use by persons having technical skill for evaluation under their specific end-use conditions, at their own discretion and risk. Anyone intending to use this information should first verify that the garment selected is suitable for the intended use. In many cases, seams and closures have shorter breakthrough times and higher permeation rates than the fabric. Please contact DuPont for specific data. If fabric becomes torn, abraded or punctured, or if seams or closures fail, or if attached gloves, visors, etc. are damaged, end user should discontinue use of garment to avoid potential exposure to chemical. Since conditions of use are outside our control, we make no warranties, express or implied, including, without limitation, no warranties of merchantability or fitness for a particular use and assume no liability in connection with any use of this information. This information is not intended as a license to operate under or a recommendation to infringe any patent or technical information of DuPont or others covering any material or its use.

(DuPont, 2016)

Warning: May cause death or permanent injury after very short exposure to small quantities. Mustard gas is a powerful irritant and vesicant, producing corrosion and necrosis of the skin, eyes, and respiratory tract. Effects may be delayed by several hours or, in case of ocular effects, by many years. Cough may occur 1-12 hours after exposure. Caution is advised.

Signs and Symptoms of Mustard Gas Exposure: Signs and symptoms of acute exposure to mustard gas may include dyspnea (difficult or labored breathing), cough, fever, headache, severe eye irritation, photophobia (sensitivity to light), lacrimation (tearing), and blindness. Irritation or ulceration of the respiratory tract may occur from inhalation; lesions may be fatal. Dizziness, malaise (body discomfort), anorexia, and lethargy can occur after acute exposure. Arrhythmias and CNS excitation with convulsions followed by CNS depression may occur. Nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea may be caused by ingestion or by systemic absorption. Hemorrhage and anemia may develop several days after exposure.

Emergency Life-Support Procedures: Treatment has traditionally involved rapid decontamination and symptomatic treatment; TIME IS OF THE ESSENCE in decontamination. Acute exposure to mustard gas may require decontamination and life support for the victims. Emergency personnel should wear protective clothing appropriate to the type and degree of contamination. Air-purifying or supplied-air respiratory equipment should also be worn, as necessary. Rescue vehicles should carry supplies such as plastic sheeting and disposable plastic bags to assist in preventing spread of contamination.

Inhalation Exposure:
1. Move victims to fresh air as rapidly as possible. TIME IS OF THE ESSENCE! Emergency personnel should avoid self-exposure to mustard gas.
2. Evaluate vital signs including pulse and respiratory rate, and note any trauma. If no pulse is detected, provide CPR. If not breathing, provide artificial respiration. If breathing is labored, administer oxygen or other respiratory support.
3. Obtain authorization and/or further instructions from the local hospital for administration an antidote or performance of other invasive procedures.
4. Rush to a health care facility.

Dermal/Eye Exposure:
1. Remove victims from exposure. TIME IS OF THE ESSENCE! Emergency personnel should avoid self-exposure to mustard gas.
2. Evaluate vital signs including pulse and respiratory rate, and note any trauma. If no pulse is detected, provide CPR. If not breathing, provide artificial respiration. If breathing is labored, administer oxygen or other respiratory support.
3. Remove contaminated clothing as soon as possible.
4. If eye exposure has occurred, eyes must be flushed with lukewarm water for at least 15 minutes.
5. Wash exposed skin areas thoroughly with water. Treat blisters as burns.
6. Obtain authorization and/or further instructions from the local hospital for administration of an antidote or performance of other invasive procedures.
7. Rush to a health care facility.

Ingestion Exposure:
1. Evaluate vital signs including pulse and respiratory rate, and note any trauma. If no pulse is detected, provide CPR. If not breathing, provide artificial respiration. If breathing is labored, administer oxygen or other respiratory support.
2. DO NOT induce vomiting or attempt to neutralize.
3. Obtain authorization and/or further instructions from the local hospital for administration of an antidote or performance of other invasive procedures.
4. Rush to a health care facility. (EPA, 1998)

• AGENT HD
• BETA, BETA'-DICHLOROETHYL SULFIDE
• BETA, BETA'-DICHLOROETHYL SULPHIDE
• BETA,BETA'-DICHLORODIETHYL SULFIDE
• BETA,BETA'-DICHLOROETHYL SULFIDE
• BETA,BETA-DICHLOR-ETHYL-SULPHIDE
• BETA-CHLOROETHYLISOBUTYL SULFIDE
• BIS(2-CHLOROETHYL) SULFIDE
• BIS(2-CHLOROETHYL) SULPHIDE
• BIS(BETA-CHLOROETHYL) SULFIDE
• BIS(BETA-CHLOROETHYL) SULPHIDE
• 1-CHLORO-2-(BETA-CHLOROETHYLTHIO)ETHANE
• DI-2-CHLOROETHYL SULFIDE
• DI-2-CHLOROETHYL SULPHIDE
• 2,2'-DICHLORODIETHYL SULFIDE
• 2,2'-DICHLORODIETHYL SULPHIDE
• 2,2'-DICHLOROETHYL SULFIDE
• 2,2'-DICHLOROETHYL SULPHIDE
• DISTILLED MUSTARD
• ETHANE, 1,1'-THIOBIS(2-CHLORO-
• ETHANE, 1,1'-THIOBIS[2-CHLORO-
• H
• HD
• HD (CHEMICAL WARFARE AGENT)
• IPRIT
• KAMPFSTOFF "LOST"
• KAMPSTOFF LOST
• MUSTARD
• MUSTARD GAS
• MUSTARD HD
• MUSTARD VAPOR
• MUSTARD, SULFUR
• S MUSTARD
• S-LOST
• S-YPERITE
• SCHWEFEL-LOST
• SENFGAS
• SULFIDE, BIS(2-CHLOROETHYL)
• SULFUR MUSTARD
• SULFUR MUSTARD GAS
• SULPHUR MUSTARD
• SULPHUR MUSTARD GAS
• 1,1'-THIOBIS(2-CHLOROETHANE)
• YELLOW CROSS LIQUID
• YPERITE