Mustard Gas
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What is Mustard Gas?
"Mustard gas" is a common term which may refer to either of two mustard agents, sulphur mustard (Yperite) or nitrogen mustard. Lewisite, an organic compound containing arsenic, is another mustard agent. As gases, these agents appear yellow-brown in color and smell like mustard, garlic, or horseradish. In pure form at room temperature, though, they are thick and almost odorless liquids. Each of these chemicals produces blisters on contact.
The German Army first used sulphur mustard in September 1917. Some servicemembers were exposed to mustard agents during combat or testing in World War I and World War II. After World War II, exposure to mustard agents and Lewisite was primarily the result of military occupational duties.
Links to Mustard-Gas Related Documents
In December 2004, VA obtained records from the Department of Defense. The following links take you to related documents:
38 CFR § 3.316 , Claims based on chronic effects of exposure to mustard gas
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VA does not endorse and is not responsible for the content of the linked website.
Veterans at Risk: The Health Effects of Mustard Gas and Lewisite, a report by the Institute of Medicine, 1993