Blister agent sulfur mustards H/HD and HT are manufactured compounds. They are colorless when pure, but are typically yellow to brown oily liquids with a slight garlic or mustard odor. Agent H contains about 20-30% impurities. The nearly pure substance is called HD. HT is a mixture of 60% HD and 40% of another substance called agent T. They do not dissolve much in water, but dissolve easily in oils, fats, and other solvents. They are stable at ambient temperatures.
Sulfur mustards were introduced as chemical warfare agents during World War I. More than a dozen countries have sulfur mustard agents in their chemical arsenals. Destruction of U.S. stockpiles of chemical agents, including sulfur mustards, was mandated by the Chemical Weapons Convention to take place before April 2007.
Exposure to sulfur mustard agents H/HD and HT can occur due to accidental release from a
military storage facility. Exposure to sulfur mustards can
burn the
skin and
eyes, cause blisters, and cause
respiratory effects such as coughing and
bronchitis. Higher levels may cause
death. Sulfur mustard agent H/HD has been identified at 3 of the 1,585 National Priorities List
sites identified by the
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
See a doctor if you have been harmed by this substance. In addition, it
may be important to
contact an attorney who
can help you protect your legal rights. Please keep in mind that there
may be
timelimits within which you must commence suit.
Attorneys associatedwith InjuryBoard.com will evaluate your case
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Source: Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry
See Also
- Toxic & Hazardous Substances
- Bronchitis: Overview
- Burns: Overview
- Cancer
- Eye Disorders
- Lung & Airway Disorders
- Lung Cancer: Overview
- Skin Disorders: Overview
- Sulfur Mustards H/HD and HT (Blister Agent): Frequently Asked Questions