Through chemical processes, mustard agents destroy different substances within cells of living tissue. Initial effects are somewhat delayed for mustards, occurring 12 to 24 hours after exposure, but are rapid for other agents. Symptoms are variable and acute mortality is low, but death can occur from complications after lung injury. Agents are highly volatile, but rapidly acting agents that cause seizures, respiratory failure, and cardiac arrest through interference with absorption of oxygen into the bloodstream. Such agents are liquids dispersed in a gaseous form that damage the respiratory tract and cause severe pulmonary edema in about four hours, leading to eventual death.
Effects are variable, and can be rapid or delayed depending on the specific agent.
Review of the U.S. Army's health risk assessments for oral exposure to six chemical warfare agents. Journal of Toxicology and Environmental Health. Risk assessments concerning the chemical warfare agents GA, GB, GD, VX, sulfur mustard and Lewisite. American Academy of Pediatrics. Committee on Environmental Health and Committee on Infectious Diseases.