Sulfur mustard (mustard gas) in the yard and garden
High risk for your yardIARC Group 1; both a potent vesicant (blister agent) and long-term carcinogen. A Chemical Weapons Convention Schedule 1 substance — production, stockpiling, and use as a weapon is prohibited globally. This entry covers: (1) historical occupational exposure in WWI/WWII production workers who developed lung and respiratory tract cancers 20–40 years later; (2) residual contamination at former US production sites (Edgewood Arsenal MD, Rocky Mountain Arsenal CO, Aberdeen Proving Ground MD); (3) civilian populations near former weapons test sites or sea-dumped munitions. Mechanism: forms highly reactive sulfonium ions → alkylates DNA and proteins; cross-links DNA strands causing mutagenic lesions; also depletes glutathione causing oxidative stress.
What is sulfur mustard (mustard gas)?
The IUPAC name is 1-chloro-2-(2-chloroethylsulfanyl)ethane.
Also known as: 1-chloro-2-(2-chloroethylsulfanyl)ethane, Mustard gas, Sulfur mustard, Yperite.
- IUPAC name
- 1-chloro-2-(2-chloroethylsulfanyl)ethane
- CAS number
- 505-60-2
- Molecular formula
- C4H8Cl2S
- Molecular weight
- 159.08 g/mol
- SMILES
- C(CCl)SCCCl
- PubChem CID
- 10461
Risk for people, pets,
High riskIARC Group 1; both a potent vesicant (blister agent) and long-term carcinogen. A Chemical Weapons Convention Schedule 1 substance — production, stockpiling, and use as a weapon is prohibited globally. This entry covers: (1) historical occupational exposure in WWI/WWII production workers who developed lung and respiratory tract cancers 20–40 years later; (2) residual contamination at former US production sites (Edgewood Arsenal MD, Rocky Mountain Arsenal CO, Aberdeen Proving Ground MD); (3) civilian populations near former weapons test sites or sea-dumped munitions. Mechanism: forms highly reactive sulfonium ions → alkylates DNA and proteins; cross-links DNA strands causing mutagenic lesions; also depletes glutathione causing oxidative stress.
Regulatory consensus
9 regulatory and scientific bodies have classified Sulfur mustard (mustard gas). The classifications differ — that's the data.
| Agency | Year | Classification | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| IARC | 1987 | Group 1 (carcinogenic to humans) | IARC Supplement 7 (1987), originally Monograph 9 (1975). Sufficient evidence in humans (lung cancer, pharyngeal/laryngeal cancer, esophageal cancer in WWI and WWII veterans with mustard gas exposure) and animals. A bifunctional alkylating agent forming DNA intrastrand and interstrand cross-links; also a potent vesicant causing severe tissue injury independent of carcinogenicity. |
| US EPA | 2000 | known to be carcinogenic to humans | Classified as a chemical warfare agent; production and stockpiling prohibited under the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC, 1993). EPA regulates cleanup of former mustard gas manufacturing sites and munitions disposal facilities. Residual soil contamination at former WWII production/testing sites in the US represents the primary current environmental concern. |
| EPA CTX / NTP RoC | — | Known Human Carcinogen | |
| EPA CTX / IARC | — | Group 1 - Carcinogenic to humans | |
| EPA CTX / CalEPA | — | Known human carcinogen | |
| EPA CTX / Genetox | — | Genotoxicity: positive (Ames: positive, 10 positive / 0 negative reports) | |
| EPA CTX / Genetox | — | Genotoxicity: positive (Ames: positive, 10 positive / 0 negative reports) | |
| EPA CTX / Skin-Eye | — | Eye Irritation: Category 1 (score: very high) | |
| EPA CTX / Skin-Eye | — | Skin Irritation: Category 1 (score: very high) |
Regulators apply different standards of evidence — animal-data weighting, exposure-pattern assumptions, epidemiological power thresholds — which is why two scientific bodies can review the same data and reach different conclusions. The disagreement is the data.
Where your yard encounter sulfur mustard (mustard gas)
- Outdoor Air — Vehicle exhaust, Industrial emissions, Power plant discharge
- Indoor Air — Combustion byproducts, Office buildings, Parking garages
Safer alternatives
Lower-risk approaches that achieve a similar outcome to Sulfur mustard (mustard gas):
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Safer process chemistry; Green chemistry alternatives; Exposure controls
Trade-offs: Requires R&D investment to redesign synthesis routes; may reduce yield or throughput initially; long-term benefits include reduced waste treatment costs, regulatory compliance, and worker safety; 12 Principles of Green Chemistry framework available.Relative cost: 2-5×
Frequently asked questions
Is sulfur mustard (mustard gas) safe for your yard?
IARC Group 1; both a potent vesicant (blister agent) and long-term carcinogen. A Chemical Weapons Convention Schedule 1 substance — production, stockpiling, and use as a weapon is prohibited globally. This entry covers: (1) historical occupational exposure in WWI/WWII production workers who developed lung and respiratory tract cancers 20–40 years later; (2) residual contamination at former US production sites (Edgewood Arsenal MD, Rocky Mountain Arsenal CO, Aberdeen Proving Ground MD); (3) civilian populations near former weapons test sites or sea-dumped munitions. Mechanism: forms highly reactive sulfonium ions → alkylates DNA and proteins; cross-links DNA strands causing mutagenic lesions; also depletes glutathione causing oxidative stress.
What products contain sulfur mustard (mustard gas)?
Sulfur mustard (mustard gas) appears in: Vehicle exhaust (Outdoor air); Industrial emissions (Outdoor air); Combustion byproducts (Indoor air); Office buildings (Indoor air).
Why do regulators disagree about sulfur mustard (mustard gas)?
Sulfur mustard (mustard gas) has been classified by 9 agencies including IARC, US EPA, EPA CTX / NTP RoC, EPA CTX / IARC, EPA CTX / CalEPA, with differing conclusions. Regulators apply different standards of evidence (animal data weighting, exposure-pattern assumptions, epidemiological power thresholds), which is why two scientific bodies can review the same data and reach different conclusions. See the regulatory consensus table on this page for the full picture.
See Sulfur mustard (mustard gas) in the outdoor app
Look up products containing sulfur mustard (mustard gas), compare to alternatives, and explore the full data record.
Open in outdoor View raw API dataSources (3)
- IARC Monographs Volume 9: Sulfur Mustard (updated Supplement 7, 1987) (1987) — regulatory
- US EPA: Chemical Warfare Agents at Former Defense Sites — Remediation Guidance (2009) — regulatory
- ATSDR Medical Management Guidelines for Sulfur Mustard (2014) — report
Reference data, not professional advice. Aggregates publicly available regulatory and scientific data; not a substitute for veterinary, medical, legal, or regulatory advice. Why we built ALETHEIA →