Nitrogen mustard (HN-1)

Synonyms

Bis(2-chloroethyl)ethylamine; 2-Chloro-N-(2-chloroethyl)-N-ethylethanamine; 2,2'-Dichlorotriethylamine; Ethylbis(2-chloroethyl)amine; Ethyl-S; [ATSDR-MMG]

Category

Chemical Weapons

Description

Colorless to pale yellow, oily liquid with a faint fishy or musty odor; [ATSDR-MMG]

Sources/Uses

"Nitrogen mustards were first developed in the late 1920s and early 1930s. HN-1 was originally designed to remove warts but was later identified as a potential chemical warfare agent; None of the nitrogen mustards have been used on the battlefield, and none are included in U.S. stockpiles." [ATSDR MMG]

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] Causes lachrymation; [ICSC]

Reference Link #1

Biomedical References

Yes

0.25 mm Hg

Explanatory Notes

LCt50 = 1,500 mg-min/m³; [ATSDR-MMG] VP from ChemIDplus;

Aplastic anemia

Yes

Yes

Other CNS neurotoxin

Yes

Skin burns

Probable (2a)

Anticipated human carcinogen

Diseases

Occupational diseases associated with exposure to this agent:

• Pneumonitis, toxic