Blisters appear within 12 hours after exposure with more pain which is diminished after 2-3 days. Lewisite is irritating to nasal passages and produces a burning sensation followed by a profuse nasal secretion and violent sneezing. Prolonged exposure causes coughing and production of large quantities of froth mucus. Lewisite acts as a systemic poison, causing pulmonary edema, diarrhea, restlessness, weakness, subnormal temperature, and low blood pressure. If exposure is by skin contact, early signs and symptoms may be sweating and muscular twitching.
Death can result from both respiratory and skin exposure.
These agents in vapor form are rapidly absorbed through the respiratory system and death can occur in less than 10 minutes. The intact skin acts as a barrier to these agents in the vapor state. However, the vapor may quickly pass through the eyes and miosis may result from very low concentrations of vapor alone. The rate of regeneration of ChE within the body is slow. All rights reserved.