Nitrogen mustard (HN-2)

Synonyms

Mechlorethamine; Bis(beta-chloroethyl)methylamine; N,N-Bis(2-chloroethyl)methylamine; Bis(2-chloroethyl)methylamine; Caryolysine; Chloramine (the Nitrogen Mustard); Chlorethazine; Chlormethine; 2-Chloro-N-(2-chloroethyl)-N-methylethanamine; Dichlor Amine; Dichloren (German); Beta,beta'-Dichlorodiethyl-N-methylamine; Di(chloroethyl)methylamine; N,N-Di(chloroethyl)methylamine; Di(2-chloroethyl)methylamine; 2,2'-Dichloro-N-methyldiethylamine; Diethylamine, 2,2'-dichloro-N-methyl-; Embichin; Ethanamine, 2-Chloro-N-(2-chloroethyl)-N-methyl-; HN2; HN-2; N-Methyl-Lost (German); N-Methyl-bis-chloraethylamin (German); Methylbis(chloroethylamine); Methylbis(beta-chloroethyl)amine; N-Methylbis(beta-chloroethyl)amine; N-Methylbis(2-chloroethyl)amine; Methylbis(2-chloroethyl)amine; N-Methyl-2,2'-dichlorodiethylamine; Methyldi(2-chloroethyl)amine; Mustargen; Mustine; Nitrogen mustard; Stickstofflost (ebewe); TL 146; [HSDB]

Category

Chemical Weapons

Description

Colorless to pale yellow, oily liquid with a faint soapy odor or fruity odor at high concentrations; [ATSDR-MMG]

Sources/Uses

Used as an antineoplastic drug and formerly used as a gas warfare agent; [HSDB]

Comments

"Nitrogen mustards are vesicants causing skin, eye, and respiratory tract injury. Although these agents cause cellular changes within several minutes of contact, the onset of pain and other clinical effects is delayed for hours. Nitrogen mustards are alkylating agents that may cause bone marrow suppression and neurologic toxicity. . . . Nitrogen mustards may decrease fertility." [ATSDR MMG] Danger of skin sensitization; "Germ cell mutagens that have shown to increase the mutant frequency in the progeny of exposed mammals." [MAK]

Reference Link #1

Biomedical References

Yes

0.427 mm Hg

Explanatory Notes

Danger of sensitization of skin; [MAK] LCt50 = 3,000 mg-min/m³; [ATSDR MMG] VP from Reference #2;

Reference Link #2

Aplastic anemia

Yes

Other CNS neurotoxin

Yes

Skin burns

Probable (2a)

Anticipated human carcinogen

Diseases

Occupational diseases associated with exposure to this agent:

• Pneumonitis, toxic