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mustard gas

(Science: chemical) 1,1'-thiobis(2-chloroethane). Severe irritant and vesicant of skin, eyes, and lungs. It may cause blindness and lethal lung oedema and was formerly used as a war gas. The substance has been proposed as a cytostatic and for treatment of psoriasis. It has been listed as a known carcinogen in the fourth annual report on carcinogens (ntp-85-002, 1985) (merck, 11th ed).

Pharmacological action: carcinogens, chemical warfare agents, dermatologic agents.

Chemical name: Ethane, 1,1'-thiobis(2-chloro-