• Phosgene Oxime (CX) - CX may appear as a colorless, low-melting point (crystalline) solid or as a liquid. It has a high vapor pressure, slowly decomposes at normal temperature ( depending on temperature and humidity), boils at 53° to 54° C. at 28 mmHg, melts at 39° to 40° C., and is readily soluble in water. It has a disagreeable, penetrating odor.
Physiological Effects - CX is a powerful irritant which produces immediate pain varying prom a mild prickling sensation to a feeling resembling a severe bee sting. It causes violent irritation to the mucous membranes of the eyes and nose. When CX comes in contact with the skin, the area becomes blanched in 30 seconds and is surrounded by a red ring. A wheal forms in about 30 minutes and the blanched area turns brown in about 24 hours, with a scab forming in about a week. The scab generally falls off in about 3 weeks. Itching may be present throughout healing which, in some cases, may be delayed beyond two months.

• Lewisite (L)
Physiological action - L produces effects similar to those produced by HD but, in addition, acts as a systemic poison, causing pulmonary edema, diarrhea, restlessness, weakness, subnormal temperature, and low blood pressure. In order of severity and appearance of symptoms, it is a blister agent; a toxic lung irritant; and, when absorbed in the tissues, a systemic poison. Liquid L causes an immediate searing sensation in the eye and permanent loss of sight if not decontaminated within 1 minute with large amounts of water. L produces an immediate and strong stinging sensation to the skin; reddening of the skin starts within 30 minutes. Blistering does not appear until after about 13 hours. like HD, L is a cell poison. Skin burns are much deeper than dose caused by HD. When inhaled in high concentrations, L may be fatal in as short a time as 10 minutes.

• Mustard-Lewisite Mixture (HL)
Physiological action - Liquid causes severe damage to the eyes. Contamination of the skin is followed after a short time by reddening, then the blistering which tends to cover the entire area of the reddened skin. The respiratory lesions are similar to those produced by mustard, except that in the most severe cases pulmonary edema may be accompanied by pleural effusion. Liquid on the skin, as well as inhaled vapor, is absorbed and may cause systemic poisoning. This chance is manifested in capillary permeability, which permits loss of sufficient fluid from the blood stream to cause shock and death.

• Ethyldichloroarsine (ED) - Ethyldichloroarsine was introduced by the Germans in March 1918 in an effort to produce a volatile agent with a short duration of effectiveness that would be quicker acting than DP or HD and that would be more lasting in its effects than DP.
Physiological action - Like other chemical agents containing arsenic, ED is irritating to the respiratory tract and will produce lung injury upon sufficient exposure. The vapor is irritating to the eyes, and the liquid may produce severe eye injuries. The absorption of either vapor or liquid through the skin in sufficient amounts may leas to systemic poisoning or death. Blistering of the skin is produced by prolonged contact with either liquid or vapor.

• Methyldichloroarsine (MD)
Physiological action - Like L and other similar arsenicals, MD is irritating to the respiratory tract and produces lung injury upon sufficient exposure. The vapor is irritating to the eyes, and the liquid may produce severe eye injury. The absorption of either vapor or liquid through the skin in sufficient amounts may lead to systemic poisoning or death. Blistering of the skin ism produced by prolonged contact with either liquid or vapor.