Decontaminate the patients by removing contaminated clothing, flushing with water and aeration. Moving the patients to fresh air and provide high flow oxygen. Remember the patients clothing and all personal articles are considered potentially contaminated evidence. Blister agents affect the respiratory tract and the skin. There are some differences in the agents and the effects on the body.
All blister agents are heavier than air.
Mustard has the odor of garlic and appears as an oily liquid. Primarily it is designed for skin contact. The vapors can also cause blistering of the skin and can severely damage the lungs. Mustard agents are absorbed rapidly into the skin and within a few hours you will start to notice reddening of the skin where the contamination occurred. Later the blisters will start to form.