Vesicants H, HD mustard L, lewisite CX, phosgene oxime Following absorption, the structure of mustard changes. Lewisite causes an increase in capillary permeability. The exact mechanisms of mustard, lewisite, and phosgene oxime are not known. Clinical signs and symptoms may appear as early as two hours after a high dose exposure or extend to twenty-four hours after a low dose vapor exposure. Exposure does not cause immediate pain.
Lesions develop within hours.
Skin, eyes, and airways most commonly affected. Appearance of redness and blisters on skin, irritation, conjunctivitis and corneal opacity and damage in the eyes, irritation of nares, sinus and pharynx and increasingly severe productive cough if the lower airways are affected. Skin, eyes, and airways affected by direct contact. Redness and blister formation occur more rapidly than following exposure to mustard. Eye exposure causes pain and twitching of the eyelid.