Estimates of Percutaneous Toxicity of Sulfur Mustard Vapor Suitable for Use in Protective Equipment Standards

Abstract

An analysis was performed of historical human chamber data for exposure to sulfur mustard vapor, in order to correlate skin exposure dosages with effects in a manner specifically suitable for use in protective clothing standards. Data were reanalyzed to take into account (1) body region variability of skin responses to a single acute exposure to sulfur mustard vapor, (2) effect of hot/humid versus cooler exposure, and (3) influence of clothing. This approach permits deriving predicted skin responses pertinent to a protective clothing wearer, for a relatively short single acute exposure to vapor (up to a few hours) under the hot/humid conditions expected within a protective ensemble. Values for permissible dermal exposure to sulfur mustard vapor are proposed for protected emergency responders or military serving in combat theaters that may be used in standards intended to be employed in conjunction with evaluation of vapor protection provided by individual protective equipment for protection against chemical warfare agents by Man-in-Simulant vapor test methods.

This work was supported by Defence Research and Development Canada.