Blister agents (vesicants) include mustard (HD), nitrogen mustards
(HN), lewisite (L), and other arsenicals, mixtures of mustards
and arsenicals, and phosgene oxime (CX). Blister agents act on
the eyes mucous membranes, lungs, and skin. They burn and blister
the skin or any other body parts they contact. Even relatively
low doses may cause serious injury. Blister agents damage the
respiratory tract (nose, sinuses and windpipe) when inhaled and
cause vomiting and diarrhea when absorbed. Lewisite and phosgene
oxime cause immediate pain on contact. However, mustard agents
are deceptive and there is little or no pain at the time of exposure.
Thus in some cases, signs of injury may not appear for several
hours after exposure.
a. Protective Measures. Your protective mask with hood
and protective overgarments provide you protection against blister
agents. If it is known or suspected that blister agents are being
used, STOP BREATHING, put on your mask and all your protective
overgarments.
CAUTION
Large drops of liquid vesicants on the protective overgarment
ensemble may penetrate
it if allowed to stand for an extended
period. Remove large drops as soon as possible.
b. Signs/Symptoms of Blister Agent Poisoning.
(1) Immediate and intense pain upon contact (lewisite and
phosgene oxime). No initial pain upon contact with mustard.
(2) Inflammation and blisters (burns)--tissue destruction.
The severity of a chemical burn is directly related to the concentration
of the agent and the duration of contact with the skin. The longer
the agent is in contact with the tissue, the more serious the
injury will be.
(3) Vomiting and diarrhea. Exposure to high concentrations
of vesicants may cause vomiting and/or diarrhea.
(4) Death. The blister agent vapors absorbed during ordinary
field exposure will probably not cause enough internal body (systemic)
damage to result in death. However, death may occur from prolonged
exposure to high concentrations of vapor or from extensive liquid
contamination over wide areas of the skin, particularly when
decon is neglected or delayed.
c. First Aid Measures.
(1) Use your M258A1 decon kit to decon your skin and use water
to flush contaminated eyes. Decontamination of vesicants must
be done immediately (within 1 minute is best).
(2) If blisters form, cover them loosely with a field dressing
and secure the dressing.
CAUTION
Blisters are actually burns. DO NOT attempt to decon the skin
where blisters have
formed.
(3) If you receive blisters over a wide area of the body, you
are considered seriously burned. SEEK MEDICAL AID IMMEDIATELY.
(4) If vomiting occurs, the mask should be lifted momentarily
and drained--while the eyes are closed and the breath is held--and
replaced, cleared, and sealed.
(5) Remember, if vomiting or diarrhea occurs after having been
exposed to blister agents, SEEK MEDICAL AID IMMEDIATELY.
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