| Agent Name |
Bis(2-chloroethyl)sulfide |
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| Alternative Name |
Mustard gas; 2,2'-Dichlorodiethylsulfide (505-60-2) |
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| CAS Number |
505-60-2; 39472-40-7; 68157-62-0 |
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| Formula |
C4-H8-Cl2-S |
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| Major Category |
Toxic Gases & Vapors |
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| Synonyms |
Bis(2-chloroethyl)sulfide; h; Bis(beta-chloroethyl)sulfide;Bis(beta-chloroethyl)sulphide;Bis(2-chloroethyl)sulphide; 1-Chloro-2-(beta-chloroethylthio)ethane; Beta,beta-dichlor-ethyl-sulphide; Dichlorodiethyl sulfide; 2,2'-Dichlorodiethyl sulfide; Dichloro-diethyl-sulphide; 2,2'-Dichlorodiethyl sulphide; Dichloroethyl sulfide; Beta,beta'-dichloroethyl sulfide; Di-2-chloroethyl sulfide; 2,2'-Dichloroethyl sulfide; Beta,beta'-dichloroethyl sulphide; Di-2-chloroethyl sulphide; 2,2'-Dichloroethyl sulphide; Diethyl sulfide, 2,2'-dichloro; Distilled mustard; Ethane, 1,1'-thiobis(2-chloro-; gelbkreuz; hd; Kampstoff "lost";Lost; S-lost; S mustard; Mustard gas; Mustard hd; Mustard, sulfur; Mustard vapor; Schwefel-lost; Senfgas; Sulfide, bis(2-chloroethyl); Sulfur mustard; Sulphur mustard; Sulphur mustard gas; 1,1'-Thiobis(2-chloroethane);Yellow cross gas; Yellow cross liquid; yperite; S-Yperite; [HSDB] |
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| Category |
Chemical Weapons |
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| Description |
Oily yellow-brown liquid with garlic taste and mustard odor; |
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| Sources/Uses |
Chemical warfare; |
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| Comments |
After inhalation, it has delayed effects 2-24 hours after exposure. It penetrates the skin in 1-2 minutes without initial irritation. It is corrosive to skin and lung tissue resulting in skin blisters and hemoptysis. [NIOSH Emergency Response Card] A lethal dose is about 1.5 tsp. or enough to cover about 25% of the body surface area. Mustard is an alkylating agent that disrupts cell function by reacting with DNA and other macromolecules. The eyes, skin, and respiratory tract are most commonly affected by mustard poisoning. High doses also damage the hematopoietic, gastrointestinal, and central nervous systems. Death is usually caused by pulmonary injury, immunosuppression, and secondary infections. Most casualties recover completely after treatment of first and second degree burns. Victims who have lost vision should be reassured that it is temporary. [ccc.apgea.army.mil] Thiodiglycol can be detected in the urine for about one week. Initial leukocytosis may be followed in 3-5 days by bone marrow depression. Chest x-ray may show evidence of chemical pneumonitis within a few days. [Weinstein, p. 136] 2,2'-dichlorodiethylsulfide (mustard gas) is classified by IARC as a human carcinogen, and it has a MAK skin designation. Mustard gas is fibrogenic to the lungs in the context of an acute inhalation exposure complicated by bronchiolitis obliterans. |
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| Reference Link |
ATSDR - MMG: Blister Agents: Sulfur Mustard Agent H or HD; and Sulfur Mustard Agent HT |
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| Exposure Assessment |
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| Skin Designation (ACGIH) |
Not evaluated |
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| TIH |
Yes |
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| Explanatory Notes |
The VP of impure sulfur mustard (H) depends on purity. Distilled sulfur mustard has a VP of 0.072 mmHg at 68 degrees F. [Jane's] Exposure to vapor becomes a significant hazard at higher temperatures, e.g., desert environment. [ccc.apgea.army.mil] |
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| Adverse Effects |
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| Fibrogenic |
Yes |
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| Dermatotoxin |
Skin Burns |
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| IARC Carcinogen |
Known Carcinogen |
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| Links to Other NLM Databases |
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| Health Studies |
Human Health Effects from Hazardous Substances Data Bank: Bis(2-chloroethyl)sulfide
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