A blister agent (or vesicant), is a chemical compound that causes severe skin, eye and mucosal pain and irritation. They are named for their ability to cause severe chemical burns, resulting in painful water blisters on the bodies of those affected. Although the term is often used in connection with large-scale burns caused by chemical spills or chemical warfare agents,[1] some naturally occurring substances such as cantharidin are also blister-producing agents (vesicants).[2]Furanocoumarin, another naturally occurring substance, causes vesicant-like effects indirectly, for example, by increasing skin photosensitivity greatly. Vesicants have medical uses including wart removal but can be dangerous if even small amounts are ingested.[2]
Blister agents are named for their ability to cause large, painful water blisters on the bodies of those affected.Soldier with moderate mustard gas burns sustained during World War I showing characteristic bullae on neck, armpit and hands
Nitrogen mustards – A family of agents similar to the sulfur mustards, but based on nitrogen instead of sulfur.
Lewisite – An early blister agent that was developed, but not used, during World War I. It was effectively rendered obsolete with the development of British anti-Lewisite in the 1940s.
Phosgene oxime – Occasionally included among the blister agents, although it is more properly termed a nettle agent (urticant).
Effectsedit
Exposure to a weaponized blister agent can cause a number of life-threatening symptoms, including:
Severe skin, eye and mucosal pain and irritation
Skin erythema with large fluid blisters that heal slowly and may become infected
All blister agents currently known are denser than air, and are readily absorbed through the eyes, lungs, and skin. Effects of the two mustard agents are typically delayed: exposure to vapors becomes evident in 4 to 6 hours, and skin exposure in 2 to 48 hours. The effects of Lewisite are immediate.
Referencesedit
^Center for Disease Control January 22, 2005, at the Wayback Machine
^ abCantharidin and Meloids: a review of classical history, biosynthesis, and function September 3, 2005, at the Wayback Machine
blister, agent, blister, agent, vesicant, chemical, compound, that, causes, severe, skin, mucosal, pain, irritation, they, named, their, ability, cause, severe, chemical, burns, resulting, painful, water, blisters, bodies, those, affected, although, term, ofte. A blister agent or vesicant is a chemical compound that causes severe skin eye and mucosal pain and irritation They are named for their ability to cause severe chemical burns resulting in painful water blisters on the bodies of those affected Although the term is often used in connection with large scale burns caused by chemical spills or chemical warfare agents 1 some naturally occurring substances such as cantharidin are also blister producing agents vesicants 2 Furanocoumarin another naturally occurring substance causes vesicant like effects indirectly for example by increasing skin photosensitivity greatly Vesicants have medical uses including wart removal but can be dangerous if even small amounts are ingested 2 Blister agents are named for their ability to cause large painful water blisters on the bodies of those affected Soldier with moderate mustard gas burns sustained during World War I showing characteristic bullae on neck armpit and hands Contents 1 Blister agents used in warfare 2 Effects 3 References 4 External linksBlister agents used in warfare editMost blister agents fall into one of four groups Sulfur mustards A family of sulfur based agents including mustard gas Nitrogen mustards A family of agents similar to the sulfur mustards but based on nitrogen instead of sulfur Lewisite An early blister agent that was developed but not used during World War I It was effectively rendered obsolete with the development of British anti Lewisite in the 1940s Phosgene oxime Occasionally included among the blister agents although it is more properly termed a nettle agent urticant Effects editExposure to a weaponized blister agent can cause a number of life threatening symptoms including Severe skin eye and mucosal pain and irritation Skin erythema with large fluid blisters that heal slowly and may become infected Tearing conjunctivitis corneal damage Mild respiratory distress to marked airway damageAll blister agents currently known are denser than air and are readily absorbed through the eyes lungs and skin Effects of the two mustard agents are typically delayed exposure to vapors becomes evident in 4 to 6 hours and skin exposure in 2 to 48 hours The effects of Lewisite are immediate References edit Center for Disease Control Archived January 22 2005 at the Wayback Machine a b Cantharidin and Meloids a review of classical history biosynthesis and function Archived September 3 2005 at the Wayback MachineExternal links editMedterms com Archived 2012 08 09 at the Wayback Machine Medical Aspects of Biological and Chemical Warfare Chapter 7 Vesicants Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Blister agent amp oldid 1211040512, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
