Mustard gas poisoning

Mustard gas is a toxic biological gas. This gas appeared very early and was used during the First World War. This gas is extremely harmful to the human body. This gas can cause blindness. If inhaled, it can cause great damage to the lungs and tracheal mucosa, and in severe cases can directly cause the death of the poisoned person.

If the body is poisoned by mustard gas, the skin will show obvious symptoms, such as redness, swelling, pain, and in severe cases, rotting. This type of gas biological weapon has been discontinued because the damage it caused is too great.

1. Metabolic characteristics in the body

It is absorbed quickly, fixed in small amounts locally, evenly distributed throughout the body, disappears quickly from the blood circulation, and its metabolites are non-toxic and are mainly excreted in the urine. Figure 13-1 Hydrocarbonation reaction between nucleophilic center and mustard gas. Mustard gas remains on the body surface for 2 to 3 minutes after contact with skin and mucous membranes (it can be removed with disinfectant at this time), and most of it is absorbed after 10 to 15 minutes. The absorption rate is 1 to 4 μg/(cm2·min). About 12% of the mustard gas is "fixed" locally and causes damage, while most of the rest enters the blood circulation and is distributed throughout the body. The kidneys, lungs, and liver have higher content, which may be related to blood supply. Systemic absorption is related to the sensitivity of tissues and organs. The free mustard gas generally does not remain in the blood for more than 30 minutes (half-time is 14 minutes). However, Drasch et al. recently reported that mustard gas can remain in the body's tissues and organs for 7 days after severe poisoning. It is currently believed that the absorption effect of mustard gas is different from that of nitrogen mustard, mainly due to its lipid-soluble diffusion and passive absorption.

2. Main metabolites and excretion pathways of mustard gas

1. React with various biological macromolecules in the body (such as DNA, RNA, protein, amino acids, etc.) to form hydrocarbon products. 2. Most of it combines with glutathione (50%) or cysteine ​​to form non-toxic metabolites and is excreted from the body. 3. Hydrolysis or oxidation to generate dihydroxydiethyl sulfide, mustard sulfone or mustard sulfoxide. Determining the content of the former can assist in diagnosis. 4. A small amount of mustard gas is converted into isethionic acid, glycolic acid and inorganic sulfates. 5. Most of the metabolites are excreted through urine. Urine radioactivity measurements showed that rats and mice excreted about 50% within 6 hours and about 80% within 24 hours after injection.

The above briefly introduces some knowledge about mustard gas poisoning. I hope you can remember some of it. Although the use of biological weapons is not allowed now, it is helpful for us to know more about history and knowledge. Knowing more about history is good for expanding our knowledge.