PUBLIC HEALTH STATEMENT 

 SULFUR MUSTARD 

 CAS#: 505-60-2 

 

Division of Toxicology September 2003 

__________________________________________________________________________________________

DEPARTMENT of HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, Public Health Service

Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry 

www.atsdr.cdc.gov/ Telephone: 1-888-422-8737 Fax: 770-488-4178 E-Mail: atsdric@cdc.gov 

This Public Health Statement is the summary 

chapter from the Toxicological Profile for Sulfur 

Mustard. It is one in a series of Public Health 

Statements about hazardous substances and their 

health effects. A shorter version, the ToxFAQsTM, is 

also available. This information is important 

because this substance may harm you. The effects 

of exposure to any hazardous substance depend on 

the dose, the duration, how you are exposed, 

personal traits and habits, and whether other 

chemicals are present. For more information, call 

the ATSDR Information Center at 1-888-422-8737. 

_________________________________________ 

 

This public health statement tells you about sulfur 

mustard and the effects of exposure. 

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) 

identifies the most serious hazardous waste sites in 

the nation. These sites make up the National 

Priorities List (NPL) and are the sites targeted for 

long-term federal cleanup activities. Sulfur mustard 

has been found in at least 3 of the 1,636 current or 

former NPL sites. However, the total number of 

NPL sites evaluated for this substance is not known. 

As more sites are evaluated, the sites at which sulfur 

mustard is found may increase. This information is 

important because exposure to this substance may 

harm you and because these sites may be sources of 

exposure. 

When a substance is released from a large area, 

such as an industrial plant, or from a container, such 

as a drum or bottle, it enters the environment. This 

release does not always lead to exposure. You are 

exposed to a substance only when you come in 

contact with it. You may be exposed by breathing, 

eating, or drinking the substance, or by skin contact. 

If you are exposed to sulfur mustard, many factors 

determine whether you'll be harmed. These factors 

include the dose (how much), the duration (how 

long), and how you come in contact with it. You 

must also consider the other chemicals you're 

exposed to and your age, sex, diet, family traits, 

lifestyle, and state of health. 

 

1.1 WHAT IS SULFUR MUSTARD? 

Sulfur mustard is a thick liquid, which was made for 

use as a chemical weapon. Presently, the chemical 

is found at a few Army facilities in large quantities 

and at several locations in smaller quantities. It is 

often called by its common name, 'mustard gas.' 

However, the term 'mustard gas' can be confusing, 

since it is stored as a liquid and is not likely to 

change into a vapor immediately if it is released at 

ordinary temperatures. As a liquid, it is colorless 

when pure and it is brown when mixed with other 

chemicals. It is odorless when pure, but can have a 

slight garlic smell when mixed with other 

chemicals. It dissolves easily in fats, oils, alcohol, 

and gasoline. Sulfur mustard dissolves slowly in 

unstirred water, but within minutes in stirred water. 

When it does dissolve, it reacts with water and turns 

into different chemicals. It was used in chemical 

warfare as early as World War I and as late as the 

Iran-Iraq War in 1980-1988. It is not used in the 

United States, except for laboratory testing of health 

effects and antidotes. More information on the 

physical and chemical properties of sulfur mustard 

can be found in Chapters 4 and 5. Information about 

mustard agents other than sulfur mustard, such as 

nitrogen mustard, thickened mustard, and lewisite, 

is not included in this document. 

 
 PUBLIC HEALTH STATEMENT 

 SULFUR MUSTARD 

 CAS#: 505-60-2 

 

Division of Toxicology September 2003 

__________________________________________________________________________________________

DEPARTMENT of HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, Public Health Service

Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry 

www.atsdr.cdc.gov/ Telephone: 1-888-422-8737 Fax: 770-488-4178 E-Mail: atsdric@cdc.gov 

1.2 WHAT HAPPENS TO SULFUR MUSTARD 

WHEN IT ENTERS THE 

ENVIRONMENT? 

Sulfur mustard is not found naturally in the 

environment in any amount. If sulfur mustard is 

accidentally spilled at an Army base where it is 

stored, it could be released into the environment. 

Currently, all of the sulfur mustard at these Army 

bases is being destroyed by burning or 

neutralization. U.S. law requires that the 

Department of Defense destroy all sulfur mustard 

by 2004. However, complete destruction of sulfur 

mustard may continue beyond this date. Once all of 

the sulfur mustard is destroyed, it will no longer be 

dangerous. If sulfur mustard is put on soil, it will 

remain there for at least a day, but may remain for 

several days or longer. The time it takes for sulfur 

mustard to disappear from soil depends on how hot 

it is outside and how strongly the wind is blowing. 

If it is hot and the wind is strong, then sulfur 

mustard will disappear faster. When sulfur mustard 

disappears from soil, it becomes a vapor or changes 

into other compounds if the soil is wet. If sulfur 

mustard is buried underground, it may not disappear 

for several years. Sulfur mustard will not move 

through soil to underground water. If sulfur mustard 

is put in water, it dissolves within minutes if the 

water is stirred, and slowly if is not. When it does 

dissolve, it reacts with water and changes to other 

compounds. The time necessary for a quantity of 

sulfur mustard that is dissolved in water to decrease 

by half is about 2 minutes at 40 °C (104 °F). If large 

amounts of sulfur mustard are spilled into water, 

most of the sulfur mustard will change to other 

compounds very slowly or not at all. If sulfur 

mustard is released into air, it will react with 

components in the air to form other compounds. 

The time necessary for a quantity of sulfur mustard 

in air to decrease by half is about 2 days at 25 °C 

(77 °F). Because sulfur mustard changes to other 

chemicals in the environment, it will not 

concentrate in plants or animals. 

 

1.3 HOW MIGHT I BE EXPOSED TO 

SULFUR MUSTARD? 

Sulfur mustard is not currently being produced in 

the United States. The general public might be 

exposed through accidental release from the Army 

bases where it is stored. These storage areas are 

heavily guarded, and storage buildings are sealed. 

People who work at Army bases that store sulfur 

mustard are more likely to be exposed than the 

general public. However, the Army has taken many 

precautions to protect the public from exposure to 

sulfur mustard. The general public may be exposed 

to sulfur mustard at hazardous waste sites that 

contain sulfur mustard. In addition, the use of sulfur 

mustard by terrorists is of concern. Persons 

involved in the transport or disposal of sulfur 

mustard may be exposed to mustard agents 

generated unintentionally through mishap. Spouses, 

children, and others may be exposed if workers 

unknowingly bring the mustard agents out of the 

factory on their skin or clothing. Sulfur mustard 

readily passes through ordinary clothing. Mixed in 

water, sulfur mustard changes its form within 

minutes, so it is very unlikely that you would drink 

it. The likelihood of the general population being 

exposed by way of water (drinking, cooking, 

bathing, and swimming) is therefore very small. 

Sulfur mustard does not occur naturally; therefore, 

there are no background levels in the soil, air, water, 

or food. If it is accidentally released, it will stay in 

the air or on the ground for 1-3 days. Under certain 
 PUBLIC HEALTH STATEMENT 

 SULFUR MUSTARD 

 CAS#: 505-60-2 

 

Division of Toxicology September 2003 

__________________________________________________________________________________________

DEPARTMENT of HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, Public Health Service

Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry 

www.atsdr.cdc.gov/ Telephone: 1-888-422-8737 Fax: 770-488-4178 E-Mail: atsdric@cdc.gov 

conditions, it may remain on the ground or in water 

for long periods. 

 

1.4 HOW CAN SULFUR MUSTARD ENTER 

AND LEAVE MY BODY? 

Sulfur mustard can enter your body easily and 

quickly if it gets in your eyes or on your skin, or if 

you breathe sulfur mustard vapors. It can easily pass 

through your clothing to get onto your skin. It is 

possible that you could come into contact with 

sulfur mustard at hazardous waste sites that contain 

this material. Sulfur mustard changes into other 

chemicals in your body, and these chemicals mostly 

leave your body in the urine within a few weeks. 

1.5 HOW CAN SULFUR MUSTARD AFFECT 

MY HEALTH? 

To protect the public from the harmful effects of 

toxic chemicals and to find ways to treat people 

who have been harmed, scientists use many tests. 

One way to see if a chemical will hurt people is to 

learn how the chemical is absorbed, used, and 

released by the body; for some chemicals, animal 

testing may be necessary. Animal testing may also 

be used to identify health effects such as cancer or 

birth defects. Without laboratory animals, scientists 

would lose a basic method to get information 

needed to make wise decisions to protect public 

health. Scientists have the responsibility to treat 

research animals with care and compassion. Laws 

today protect the welfare of research animals, and 

scientists must comply with strict animal care 

guidelines. 

Sulfur mustard can harm you depending on how 

much of the chemical you were exposed to and for 

how long. Sulfur mustard may make your eyes 

burn, your eyelids swell, or cause you to blink a lot. 

Sulfur mustard may burn your skin and cause skin 

blisters within a few days. Your eyes and the parts 

of your body that are sweaty are the most likely to 

be harmed. If you breathe it, sulfur mustard can 

cause coughing, bronchitis, and long-term 

respiratory disease. Sulfur mustard may affect 

reproduction. Some men exposed to sulfur mustard 

during war have reported decreased sexual drive 

and have had problems with sexual function due to 

scarring of genital tissues and lower sperm counts. 

The International Agency for Research on Cancer 

has determined that sulfur mustard is carcinogenic 

to humans. The Department of Health and Human 

Services has also determined that sulfur mustard is a 

known carcinogen. It can cause cancer in your 

airways, lungs, skin, and maybe other areas of your 

body later in life. If you are exposed to a very large 

amount of sulfur mustard, you can eventually die 

from it. Some of the chemicals that are formed 

when sulfur mustard is burned or spilled into water 

can also be irritating to the skin. 

 

1.6 HOW CAN SULFUR MUSTARD AFFECT 

CHILDREN? 

This section discusses potential health effects from 

exposures during the period from conception to 

maturity at 18 years of age in humans. 

Sulfur mustard causes the eyes and skin of children 

to burn similarly to adults; however, the burns may 

be more severe in children. Blisters may appear 

sooner in children than adults, as early as 4 hours 

after sulfur mustard contacts the skin. Coughing and 

vomiting have been reported as early symptoms of 
 PUBLIC HEALTH STATEMENT 

 SULFUR MUSTARD 

 CAS#: 505-60-2 

 

Division of Toxicology September 2003 

__________________________________________________________________________________________

DEPARTMENT of HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, Public Health Service

Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry 

www.atsdr.cdc.gov/ Telephone: 1-888-422-8737 Fax: 770-488-4178 E-Mail: atsdric@cdc.gov 

exposure to sulfur mustard in children. Sulfur 

mustard vapors are heavier than air and since young 

children are closer to the ground or floor because of 

their height, they may be exposed to more sulfur 

mustard vapors than adults during accidental 

exposures. Sulfur mustard may cause birth defects 

or affect the development of children. An increased 

incidence of birth defects has been reported among 

newborn babies of sulfur mustard victims exposed 

during war. Studies in animals also indicate that 

sulfur mustard may affect development. It is not 

known if sulfur mustard can cross the placenta or be 

passed to infants in breast milk. 

 

1.7 HOW CAN FAMILIES REDUCE THE 

RISK OF EXPOSURE TO SULFUR 

MUSTARD? 

If your doctor finds that you have been exposed to 

significant amounts of sulfur mustard, ask whether 

your children might also be exposed. Your doctor 

might need to ask your state health department to 

investigate. 

The risk of exposure to sulfur mustard to the 

general public may be slightly greater for those who 

live or work near Army bases and other facilities 

that store it. However, the Army has instituted 

precautions to protect the public from exposure to 

sulfur mustard. Sulfur mustard is currently being 

destroyed at these facilities, and thus the risk of 

exposure due to accidents is decreasing. 

 

1.8 IS THERE A MEDICAL TEST TO 

DETERMINE WHETHER I HAVE BEEN 

EXPOSED TO SULFUR MUSTARD? 

Sulfur mustard or some of the chemicals that it 

makes in your body can be found by testing your 

urine or blood. However, a test for sulfur mustard 

exposure is not readily available at local physicians' 

offices or hospitals. A urine or blood sample may be 

sent to a special laboratory for testing. For further 

assistance, see Section 1.10. 

1.9 WHAT RECOMMENDATIONS HAS THE 

FEDERAL GOVERNMENT MADE TO 

PROTECT HUMAN HEALTH? 

The federal government develops regulations and 

recommendations to protect public health. 

Regulations can be enforced by law. Federal 

agencies that develop regulations for toxic 

substances include the Environmental Protection 

Agency (EPA), the Occupational Safety and Health 

Administration (OSHA), and the Food and Drug 

Administration (FDA). Recommendations provide 

valuable guidelines to protect public health but 

cannot be enforced by law. Federal organizations 

that develop recommendations for toxic substances 

include the Agency for Toxic Substances and 

Disease Registry (ATSDR) and the National 

Institute for Occupational Safety and Health 

(NIOSH). 

Regulations and recommendations can be expressed 

in not-to-exceed levels in air, water, soil, or food 

that are usually based on levels that affect animals; 

then they are adjusted to help protect people. 

Sometimes these not-to-exceed levels differ among 

federal organizations because of different exposure 

times (an 8 hour workday or a 24 hour day), the use 

of different animal studies, or other factors. 

Recommendations and regulations are also 

periodically updated as more information becomes 
 PUBLIC HEALTH STATEMENT 

 SULFUR MUSTARD 

 CAS#: 505-60-2 

 

Division of Toxicology September 2003 

__________________________________________________________________________________________

DEPARTMENT of HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, Public Health Service

Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry 

www.atsdr.cdc.gov/ Telephone: 1-888-422-8737 Fax: 770-488-4178 E-Mail: atsdric@cdc.gov 

available. For the most current information, check 

with the federal agency or organization that 

provides it. Some regulations and recommendations 

for sulfur mustard include the following: 

The federal government considers sulfur mustard an 

extremely hazardous substance. In 1985, Congress 

directed the U.S. Army to begin destroying the 

stockpile of U.S. chemical agents including sulfur 

mustard. As a result, the U.S. Army's Chemical 

Stockpile Disposal Program (CSDP) was started. As 

part of this program, the U.S. Army has continued 

to study how workers and the general public might 

best be protected from harm by sulfur mustard. The 

U.S. Army is the primary source of safety 

recommendations for sulfur mustard. The federal 

government has recommended maximum 

concentrations in air to which the general public 

should be exposed for different lengths of time. The 

maximum concentration for long-term exposure is 

0.0001 milligrams per cubic meter of air. Higher 

concentrations may be tolerated for shorter periods. 

Stored quantities of 500 pounds or more must be 

reported to the State Emergency Response 

Commission, the fire department, and the Local 

Emergency Planning Committee. Spills of over 1 

pound must be reported to the National Response 

Center. For more information, see Chapter 8. 

The National Advisory Committee has developed 

acute exposure guideline levels (AEGLs) to protect 

people from the harmful effects of a short-term (8 

hours or less) exposure to sulfur mustard. Three 

types of AEGLs have been developed: AEGL-1, 

AEGL-2, and AEGL-3. For sulfur mustard, the 

AEGL-1 values range from 0.40 mg/m3 for a 10 

minute exposure to 0.008 mg/m3 for an 8 hour 

exposure; exposure to higher concentrations may 

result in eye irritation. The AEGL-2 values range 

from 0.60 mg/m3 for 10 minutes to 0.013 mg/m3 for 

8 hours; exposure to higher concentrations may 

result in swelling of the eyes, sensitivity to light, 

and eye irritation. The AEGL-3 values range from 

3.9 mg/m3 for 10 minutes to 0.27 mg/m3 for 8 

hours; exposure to higher concentrations may result 

in death. 

 

1.10 WHERE CAN I GET MORE 

INFORMATION? 

If you have any more questions or concerns, please 

contact your community or state health or 

environmental quality department or: 

Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry 

Division of Toxicology 

1600 Clifton Road NE, Mailstop F-32 

Atlanta, GA 30333 

Information line and technical assistance: 

Phone: 888-422-8737 

FAX: (770)-488-4178 

ATSDR can also tell you the location of 

occupational and environmental health clinics. 

These clinics specialize in recognizing, evaluating, 

and treating illnesses resulting from exposure to 

hazardous substances. 

To order toxicological profiles, contact: 

National Technical Information Service 

5285 Port Royal Road 

Springfield, VA 22161 

Phone: 800-553-6847 or 703-605-6000 
 PUBLIC HEALTH STATEMENT 

 SULFUR MUSTARD 

 CAS#: 505-60-2 

 

Division of Toxicology September 2003 

__________________________________________________________________________________________

DEPARTMENT of HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, Public Health Service

Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry 

www.atsdr.cdc.gov/ Telephone: 1-888-422-8737 Fax: 770-488-4178 E-Mail: atsdric@cdc.gov 

Reference 

Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry 

(ATSDR). 2003. Toxicological profile for Sulfur 

Mustard. Atlanta, GA: U.S. Department of Health 

and Human Services, Public Health Service.