What are the vesicant chemical agents?
Chemical agents in the vesicant category include sulfur mustard, nitrogen mustard, lewisite, and phosgene oxime. Vesicants are so named because exposure to these agents causes vesicles or blisters to form on the skin. Direct contact with these agents can also damage the eyes and respiratory system. The gastrointestinal system, central nervous system, and bone marrow are affected through systemic absorption. What are the physical characteristics of the vesicants? Mustard, the prototypical vesicant agent, is an oily liquid that comes in a variety of colors ranging from brown to yellow. Its odor may smell like garlic, onion, horseradish, or mustard itself. Mustard evaporates very slowly and tends to be a liquid hazard under most conditions. A vapor hazard occurs at temperatures above 100F, influenced by other environmental conditions such as humidity. A lethal dose of liquid mustard can be as low as 100 mg/kg (about one teaspoon for an average adult). Lewisite is an oily, odorless liquid.
