disaster 5th 1108_5th ed 2011 - Homeland Security and Emergency ...

Signs & Symptoms: Depends on how much, what form, and how a person
is exposed to sulfur mustard / mustard gas and may not occur for 2 to
24 hours ... some immediate signs include...
• Skin - redness and itching of skin may occur 2 to 48 hours
after exposure -- changes to yellow blistering of skin
• Eyes - a mild case causes irritation, pain, swelling and
watery eyes within 3 to 12 hours -- a more severe case
causes same within 1 to 2 hours - may also include light
sensitivity, severe pain or temporary blindness (lasting up
to 10 days)
• Nose & lungs (respiratory tract) - runny nose, sneezing,
sinus pain, bloody nose, short of breath, may get hoarse,
and cough (mild exposure shows within 12 to 24 hours --
severe shows within 2 to 4 hours)
• Digestive tract - abdominal pain, sick to stomach,
diarrhea, puking, and fever
Some long-term health effects may include ...
• Burns or scarring - exposure to the liquid (not gas) may
produce second- and third-degree burns and later scarring
• Breathing problems or disease - severe exposure could
cause chronic respiratory disease, infections, or death
• Blindness - severe exposure can blind you permanently
• Cancer - may increase risk of lung or respiratory cancer
Treatment: There is no antidote for sulfur mustard / mustard gas exposure
- the best thing to do is avoid it by leaving the area where it was released.
• First - leave area as quickly as possible
... if outdoors - move upwind and get to higher ground
... if inside - get outside, upwind and to higher ground
• If inhaled - get fresh air as quickly and calmly as possible
• If on clothing or skin - remove everything that got contaminated.
Seal clothing and shoes in plastic bag, then seal
that bag in a bag - ask how to dispose of later. Immediately
wash exposed body parts (eyes, skin, hair, etc.) with plain,
clean water.
• If in eyes - remove contacts if any. Flush eyes with water
for 5 - 10 minutes but do NOT cover eyes with bandages
- put on shades or goggles to protect them.
• If swallowed - if someone drinks or eats something contaminated
with sulfur mustard (mustard gas), do NOT
make them puke it up -- give the person some milk to
drink and call 9-1-1
www.itsadisaster.net or call 1-888-999-4325
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