What are the health effects of mustard exposure?
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.
How is exposure to mustard diagnosed?
Mustard exposure can be confirmed through a urine test.
What is the treatment for mustard exposure?
There is no antidote for mustard exposure. Using appropriate personal protective equipment, remove the exposed person from the source immediately, and decontaminate by removing, bagging, and sealing the person’s clothing. Flush the skin with water and then wash with soap. Because mustard is persistent in the environment, take care to prevent secondary cases from contaminated clothing, ground, vegetation, or equipment. For more information on mustard, visit the CDC web site
www.bt.cdc.gov.
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.
How is exposure to lewisite diagnosed?
Lewisite is diagnosed by recognizing its clinical manifestations (immediate pain or irritation of skin and mucous membranes). Other signs and symptoms that may occur later are skin flushing, blisters on the skin, and eye and airway damage.
What is the treatment for lewisite exposure?
Treatment consists of decontamination, the use of the antidote British Anti-Lewsite (BAL), which is available through hospitals, and supportive care. Using appropriate personal protective equipment, remove the exposed person from the source immediately; decontaminate by removing, bagging, and sealing clothing. Flush skin with a very diluted amount of household bleach, then wash with soap and water. Because lewisite is persistent in the environment, take care to prevent secondary cases from contaminated clothing, ground, vegetation, or equipment. For more information on lewisite, visit the CDC Web site
www.bt.cdc.gov.
