CHAPTER 6: Long-Term Effects of the Chemical Warfare Agent Sulfur Mustard

Sulfur mustard (SM) is a highly reactive compound, discovered in the 19th century, and was repeatedly used as a chemical warfare agent during World War I and more recently in the Iraq–Iran war. Despite decades of medical research, no causative treatment against SM exists. Thus, chronic late effects occur more frequently after SM injury compared with other chemical warfare agents. The most significant population (45 000 Iranians) suffering late effects are veterans of the Iraq–Iran war (1980–1988). Acute effects of SM poisoning are related to the skin, eyes and respiratory tract. Subsequently, late effects are related to these organ systems. In the majority of patients, the most severe long term consequences after SM poisoning are on the respiratory system. However, the effects on the skin and eyes also have a great impact on quality of life.