NCJ Number
190900
Date Published
1999
Length
18 pages
Annotation
This report assesses the potential noncancer and cancer effects of chemical agent lewisite.
Abstract
Lewisite is an organic arsenical known for its vesicant properties. Regardless of the method of lewisite degradation, the arsenic component will not be eliminated and, therefore, at least some combustion product or other degradation products may be some form of arsenical. Lewisite applied to soil may rapidly volatilize and/or be converted to lewisite oxide through exposure to soil moisture. Lewisite is a lethal vesicant and systemic poison. Lewisite may be lethal following inhalation or dermal exposure, or by ingestion. Its lethality is due primarily to vapor inhalation, although lewisite is much less potent than neurotoxic chemical warfare agents. The toxic effects are of rapid onset and result from acute exposures. The vesicant properties result from direct skin contact. Absorption of lewisite is rapid and may be associated with systemic toxicity characterized by pulmonary edema, diarrhea, agitation, weakness, hypothermia, and hypotension. It has been hypothesized that fatalities following dermal exposure may be due to blood plasma loss resulting from extensive capillary damage. No human or animal studies examining the effects of lewisite following chronic exposure were located in the searched literature. Data were inadequate to quantitatively assess the potential carcinogenicity of lewisite. There were inadequate human and inadequate animal data regarding the carcinogenic potential of lewisite. 2 tables and 45 references