Lewisite

Synonyms

(2-Chloroethenyl)arsonous dichloride; 1-Chloro-2-di-chloroarsinoethane; 2-Chlorovinyldichloroarsine; Arsine, (2-chlorovinyl)dichloro-; Chlorovinyl dichloroarsine; Chlorovinylarsine dichloride; Dichloro(2-chlorovinyl)arsine; Lewisite (L-1); Lewisite (arsenic compound); Lewisite 1; beta-Chlorovinylbichloroarsine; beta-Chlorovinyldichloroarsine; Arsonous dichloride, (2-chloroethenyl)-; Arsonous dichloride, As-(2-chloroethenyl)-; [ChemIDplus] UN2810

Category

Chemical Weapons

Description

Pure: Colorless odorless liquid; Impure: Brown with an odor like geraniums; [U.S. Army ECBC MSDS]

Sources/Uses

Chemical warfare;

Comments

Like mustard, it damages the eyes, skin, and lungs; however, Lewisite causes immediate pain; it causes redness in 15-30 minutes and blisters within several hours after exposure to the liquid. Unlike mustard, it does not cause immunosuppression. British anti-Lewisite (BAL) is an antidote if used soon after exposure. Lewisite is extremely irritating to the eyes and respiratory tract. High doses can cause pulmonary edema. It can cause hypotension and shock. It may cause hemolytic anemia. [ccc.apgea.army.mil] Lewisite can injure capillaries leading to extravasation of fluid, hypovolemia, and shock. Blood tests may show leukocytosis and the chest x-ray pulmonary edema. [Weinstein, p. 138] Contact with skin or eyes causes immediate pain and lachrymation, with maximum effects at 4-8 hours post-exposure; Vapor exposure (60-330 mg/m3) causes skin discoloration and blistering with maximum effects at 36-48 hours post-exposure; Concentrations of 10 mg/m3/15min causes inflammation of eyes and swelling of eyelids; Inhalation of 500 mg/m3/5min is potentially lethal; Severe exposure may cause pulmonary edema, respiratory failure, liver necrosis, arsenic poisoning, and blindness; [HSDB] See "Arsenic" and the linked occupational diseases.

Reference Link #1

Biomedical References

Yes

0.58 mm Hg

LCLo (human) = 6 ppm/30min

Explanatory Notes

VP from HSDB;

Hemolytic anemia

Yes

Yes

Hepatoxic (a) from occupational exposure (secondary effect) or (b) in animal studies or in humans after ingestion

Skin burns

Diseases

Occupational diseases associated with exposure to this agent:

• Pneumonitis, toxic