DISASTER! - Homeland Security and Emergency Management ...

Seal all in plastic bag, then seal that bag in a bag and askhow to dispose of. Immediately wash body with cleanwater and soap.• If in eyes - remove contacts if any. If eyes burning orvision blurred, rinse eyes with water for 10 -15 minutes.• If swallowed - if someone drinks or eats somethingexposed to sarin, do NOT make them puke or drink fluids- call 9-1-1Sulfur Mustard / Mustard gas (Blister/Vesicant) - (also known as mustardagent) can be in the form of a vapor, an oily-textured liquid or a solidand be clear to yellow or brown when in liquid or solid form. It is notnormally found in the environment, however, if released, can last for weeksor months under very cold conditions. During normal weather conditions,it usually only lasts a day or two.Mustard gas is fairly easy to develop so many countries that decide to havechemical warfare agents usually stock up on this one. Sulfur mustard wasoriginally produced in the 1800’s but first used as chemical warfare inWorld War I and in many wars since. Exposure to mustard gas is usually notfatal but could have long-term health effects.How it spreads: Sulfur mustard / mustard gas can be released into the airas a vapor or gas and enter a person’s body by breathing or get on skin orin eyes. The vapor would be carried for long distances by wind so couldaffect a wide area. Sulfur mustard is heavier than air so vapors will settle inlow-lying areas. A liquid or solid form could be released into water and aperson could be exposed by drinking it or absorbing it through the skin.Since it often has no smell or smell doesn’t raise a red flag (can smell likegarlic, onions or mustard), people may not realize they have been exposed.Signs & Symptoms: Depends on how much, what form, and how a personis exposed to sulfur mustard / mustard gas and may not occur for 2 to24 hours ... some immediate signs include...• Skin - redness and itching of skin may occur 2 to 48 hoursafter exposure -- changes to yellow blistering of skin• Eyes - a mild case causes irritation, pain, swelling andwatery eyes within 3 to 12 hours -- a more severe casecauses same within 1 to 2 hours - may also include lightsensitivity, severe pain or temporary blindness (lasting upto 10 days)• Nose & lungs (respiratory tract) - runny nose, sneezing,sinus pain, bloody nose, short of breath, may get hoarse,and cough (mild exposure shows within 12 to 24 hours --severe shows within 2 to 4 hours)www.itsadisaster.net or call 1-888-999-432593