LEWISITE

When pure, a colorless oily liquid solidifying at -13°C. Impurities cause colors ranging from brown to violet. Faint odor of geranium. Irritating to the eyes and mucous membranes at concentrations below the threshold of odor. Very toxic; used as a war gas. Produces severe vesication (blistering) even through rubber (Merck); absorbed through the skin to produce seven systemic effects. Antidote: dimercaprol (British Anti-Lewisite). Prolonged exposure of container to fire or intense heat may result in violent rupturing and rocketing of container.

none

Slowly decomposed by water.

(Non-Specific -- Arsenic Compound, Liquid, n.o.s.) Container may explode in heat of fire. Fire may produce irritating and poisonous gases. Hydrolyzed by alkalies; neutralized by sodium hypochlorite. (EPA, 1998)

Highly toxic by all routes of exposure. Lethal dose in humans is 6 ppm (inhalation), 20 mg/kg (skin). Eye injury below 300 mg-min./m3. It is a blister agent, cell irritant, and systemic poison. (EPA, 1998)

LEWISITE is hydrolyzed by alkalis. It is neutralized or inactivated as a vesicant by sodium hypochlorite [EPA, 1998].

• Halogenated Organic Compounds
• Hydrocarbons, Aliphatic Unsaturated
• Halogenating Agents

Use caution: Liquids with this reactive group classification have been known to react with the absorbents listed below.

• Cellulose-Based Absorbents
• Mineral-Based & Clay-Based Absorbents
• Dirt/Earth

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

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 153 datasheet for unassigned UN/NA numbers . Otherwise increase the immediate precautionary measure distance, in the downwind direction, as necessary.

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, 2020)

(Non-Specific -- Arsenic Compound, Liquid, n.o.s.) Wear special protective clothing and positive pressure breathing apparatus.

(Non-Specific -- Arsenic Compound, Liquid, n.o.s.) Extinguish with dry chemical, carbon dioxide, water spray, or foam. Use water spray, fog, or foam for large fires. (EPA, 1998)

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

ELIMINATE all ignition sources (no smoking, flares, sparks or flames) from 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, 2020)

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	QS	QC	SL	C3	TF	TP	RC	TK	RF
Lewisite (L), FINABEL 0.7.C	541-25-3	Liquid					>155⁸	>155⁸
Lewisite (L), MIL-STD-282 (10 g/m2)	541-25-3	Liquid			>360⁸	120⁸			>480⁸	>480⁸	>480⁸
Lewisite (L), MIL-STD-282 (100 g/m2)	541-25-3	Liquid					360⁸	360⁸	120⁸	>480⁸	120⁸

Special Warning from DuPont: Tychem® and Tyvek® fabrics should not be used around heat, flames, sparks or in potentially flammable or explosive environments. Only...

(DuPont, 2023)

Warning: Lewisite vapors are extremely toxic. Inhalation of high concentrations may be fatal in as little as 10 minutes. Serious poisoning may produce symptoms within 30 to 60 minutes, but may also be delayed for a few hours. Lewisite produces an immediate searing sensation in the eye leading to permanent blindness if not decontaminated within one minute following exposure.

Signs and Symptoms of Lewisite Exposure: Signs and symptoms of acute exposure to lewisite may include headache, red staining of the conjunctiva, a garlicky odor of the breath, and pulmonary edema. Lewisite has produced an immediate and strong stinging sensation to the skin, followed by reddening within 30 minutes and blistering after 13 hours. Subnormal body temperature, restlessness, hypotension, and T-wave elevations are occasionally seen. Gastrointestinal symptoms include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, anorexia, and abdominal pain. Generalized weakness, muscle cramping, red or green colored urine, and jaundice have also been reported.

Emergency Life-Support Procedures: Acute exposure to lewisite 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. Emergency personnel should avoid self-exposure to lewisite.
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 100% humidified oxygen or other respiratory support.
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.

Dermal/Eye Exposure:
1. Remove victims from exposure. Emergency personnel should avoid self-exposure to lewisite.
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 100% humidified oxygen or other respiratory support.
3. Remove and isolate contaminated clothing as soon as possible.
4. If eye exposure has occurred, eyes must be flushed with lukewarm water for at least 15 minutes. Speed in removing material from the eyes is of extreme importance.
5. Wash exposed skin areas thoroughly with water. Speed in removing material from skin is of extreme importance.
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 100% humidified 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. Activated charcoal is of no use.
5. Rush to a health care facility. (EPA, 1998)

• ARSINE, DICHLORO(2-CHLOROVINYL)-
• ARSINE,(2-CHLOROVINYL) DICHLORO-
• ARSONOUS DICHLORIDE,(2-CHLOROETHENYL)-(90)
• BETA-CHLOROVINYLBICHLOROARSINE
• CHLOROVINYLARSINE DICHLORIDE
• 2-CHLOROVINYLDICHLOROARSINE
• DICHLORO(2-CHLOROVINYL)ARSINE
• L (LEWISITE) (CHEMICAL WARFARE AGENT)
• LEWISITE
• LEWISITE (ARSENIC COMPOUND)