| Chemical Properties | Back Directory | [Appearance]
Adamsite, or Agent DM, is a light green to yellow, crystalline, organometallic solid at room temperature; it can be dark green depending on purity and age; canary yellow when concentrated; colorless when diluted with air. Odorless but irritating; similar to pepper | [Melting point ]
195° | [Boiling point ]
bp 410° (decompn) | [density ]
1.65 | [form ]
solid |
| Hazard Information | Back Directory | [Uses]
As war gas, dispersed in air in the form of minute particles. For riots in combination with tear gas (chloroacetophenone). In the formulation of wood-treating solutions, against marine borers and similar pests. | [General Description]
10-chloro-5,10-dihydrophenarsazine is in the form of yellow crystals. The vapors are very irritating to the eyes and mucous membranes and are also nauseating. | [Reactivity Profile]
Organometallics, such as 10-chloro-5,10-dihydrophenarsazine , are reactive with many other groups. Incompatible with acids and bases. Organometallics are good reducing agents and therefore incompatible with oxidizing agents. Often reactive with water to generate toxic or flammable gases. | [Health Hazard]
TOXIC; inhalation, ingestion or skin contact with material may cause severe injury or death. Contact with molten substance may cause severe burns to skin and eyes. Avoid any skin contact. Effects of contact or inhalation may be delayed. Fire may produce irritating, corrosive and/or toxic gases. Runoff from fire control or dilution water may be corrosive and/or toxic and cause pollution. | [Fire Hazard]
Non-combustible, substance itself does not burn but may decompose upon heating to produce corrosive and/or toxic fumes. Some are oxidizers and may ignite combustibles (wood, paper, oil, clothing, etc.). Contact with metals may evolve flammable hydrogen gas. Containers may explode when heated. | [Potential Exposure]
Adamsite (military designation DM), a chloroarsenical, was first produced during World War I. Adamsite (DM) is used as a riot control or harassing agent, tear gas, and (vomiting agent) gas. It was designed as a battlefield agent and can be dissolved in acetone and dispersed as an aerosol. Adverse health effects due to exposure to adamsite (DM) are generally self-limited and do not require specific therapy. Most adverse health effects resolve within 30 minutes. Exposure to large concentrations of adamsite (DM), or exposure to adamsite (DM) within an enclosed space or under adverse weather conditions, may result in more severe adverse health effects, serious illness, or death. Adamsite (DM) is more disagreeable than tear gas, but less dangerous than sarin. It is considered to be too extreme for use against civilian populations, and was banned for this use in the 1930s by western nations. Produced worldwide, DM was superseded by the CN series of tear agents. It produces irritation to the upper respiratory tract and the eyes. Although DM has been replaced by CS, it might be mixed with a nerve agent. This may cause a vomiting victim to remove respiratory | [First aid]
Inhalation: Never perform mouth to mouth resuscitation, or you will get sick. Remove victim to fresh air; wear a mask/respirator in spite of coughing, sneezing, salivation, and nausea; lift the mask from the face briefly, if necessary, to permit vomiting or to drain saliva from the facepiece; seek medical attention immediately. Eye contact: Don a respiratory protective mask; seek medical attention immediately. Skin contact: Rinse the nose and throat with saline water or bicarbonate of soda solution; wash exposed skin and scalp with soap and water and allow to dry on the skin; dust the skin with borated talcum. Ingestion: seek medical attention immediately; carry on duties as vigorously as possible; this will help to lessen and shorten the symptoms.Move victim to fresh air. Call 911 or emergency medical service. Give artificial respiration if victim is not breathing. Do not use mouth-to-mouth method if victim ingested or inhaled the substance; give artificial respiration with the aid of a pocket mask equipped with a one-way valve orother proper respiratory medical device. Administer oxygen if breathing is difficult. Remove and isolate contaminated clothing and shoes. In case of contact with substance, immediately flush skin or eyes with running water for at least 20 minutes. For minor skin contact, avoid spreading material on unaffected skin. Keep victim warm and quiet. Effects of exposure (inhalation, ingestion, or skin contact) to substance may be delayed. Ensure that medical personnel are aware of the material(s) involved and take precautions to protect themselves. Medical observation is recommended for 24 to 48 hours after breathing overexposure, as pulmonary edema may be delayed. As first aid for pulmonary edema, a doctor or authorized paramedic may consider administering a drug or other inhalation therapy
| [Shipping]
UN1698 DPA chloroarsine, Hazard class: 6.1; Label: 6.1-Poisonous materials. Military driver shall be given full and complete information regarding shipment and conditions in case of emergency. AR 50-6 deals specifically with the shipment of chemical agents. Shipments of agent will be escorted in accordance with AR 740-32. | [Incompatibilities]
A reducing agent and an organometallic, reacts, possibly violently, with oxidizers, acids and bases. Slowly hydrolyzes in water. Stability: stable in pure form; after 3 months, caused extensive corrosion of aluminum, anodized aluminum, and stainless steel; will corrode iron, bronze, and brass when moist. Corrosive properties: titanium—71 C, 6 months, appeared good. Stainless steel— 43 C, 30 days, slight discoloration. Common steel—43 C, 30 days, covered with rust. Aluminum anodized—43 C, 30 days, minor corrosion and pitting. Aluminum—43 C, 30 days, severe corrosion. Contact with metals may evolve flammable hydrogen gas. | [Waste Disposal]
Approximately 9 t of Adamsite were discovered on the territory of Poland after World War II. This agent was stored in steel barrels and special preventive measures were undertaken in order to protect it against spreading. The Polish government decided to destroy the abandoned Adamsite and different suitable technologies were considered. The first laboratory experiments have started in 1996 and elimination of the Adamsite on semitechnical scale will begin by June 1998. In this paper, methods of neutralization of Adamsite, based on its hydrolysis with hydrochloric acid, reduction with phosphorous acid and fusion with sulfur are discussed. These methods were found to be useful at the laboratory scale. Advantages and disadvantages of considered methods of destruction of organic arsenical agents have been discussed. The most promising method seems to be the reduction of Adamsite with phosphorous acid. The products of this reaction are: metallic arsenic, DPA and hydrogen chloride. These products can be separated and reused or neutralized |
| Safety Data | Back Directory | [RIDADR ]
1698 | [HazardClass ]
6.1(a) | [PackingGroup ]
I | [Safety Profile]
Human poison by inhalation. Poison experimentally by intravenous route. Human systemic effects by inhalation: changes in function or structure of salivary glands, nausea or vomiting, cough. May be irritating to skin, eyes, and mucous membranes. A vomiting type of poison gas (non-persistent). When heated to decomposition it emits very toxic fumes of As and Cl-. See also ARSENIC COMPOUNDS |
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