Product ID:LEWISITE
MSDS Date:03/27/1996
FSC:NIIN:Submitter:N EN
Status Code:A
MSDS Number: CJFKG

Emergency Phone: 410-671-4411

Info Phone: 410-671-4411/410-278-5201

Cage: TO042

Telephone: 410-671-4411/410-278-5201

Cage: TO042

LEWISITE

CAS: 541-25-3

Fraction By Weight: 100%

OSHA PEL N/K

ACGIH TLV: N/K

LD50 LC50 Mixture:LD50: (ORAL, RAT) 50MG/KG.
Routes of Entry: Inhalation:YES Skin:YES Ingestion:NO
Health Hazards Acute and Chronic:ACUTE: EYE: SEV DMG. INSTANT PAIN,
CONJUNCTIVITIS & BLEPHAROSPASM LEADING TO CLOSURE OF EYELIDS,
FOLLOWED BY CORNEAL SCARRING & IRITIS. MILD EXPOS PRODUCES
REVERSIBLE EYE DMG IF DECONTAM IMMED. MORE PERM INJURY OF
BLINDNESS IS POSS W/IN 1MIN OF EXPOS. SKIN: IMMED STINGING PAIN
INCREASING IN SEVERITY W/TIME. ERYTHEMA (SKIN REDDENING) APPEARS
W/IN 30 MIN AFTER EXPOS ACCOMPANIED BY PAIN W/ITCHING & IRRATION
FOR 24 HRS. BLISTERS APPEAR W/IN 12 HRS AFTER EXPOS W/MORE PAIN
THAT DIMINISHED AFTER 2-3 DAYS. SKIN BURNS ARE MUCH DEEPER THAN
W/HD. TENDER SKIN, MUCOUS MEMB, & PERSPIRATION COVERED SKIN AR E
MORE SENSITIVE TO (SEE SUP DATA)
Explanation of Carcinogenicity:CHRONIC EXPOS: LEWISITE CAN CAUSE
SENSITIZATION & CHRONIC LUNG IMPAIRMENT. ALSO, BY COMPARISON TO
AGENT MUSTARD & ARSENICAL CMPDS, IT CAN BE CONSIDERED AS A SUSP
HUMAN CARCINOGEN (MFR).
Effects of Overexposure:L IS A VESICANT (BLISTER AGENT. ALSO, IT ACTS
AS A SYSTEMIC POISON, CAUSING PULMONARY EDEMA, DIARRHEA,
RESTLESSNESS, WEAKNESS, SUBNORMAL TEMP & LOW BLOOD PRESSURE. IN
ORDER OF SEVERITY & APPEARANCE O F SYMPTOMS, IT IS BLISTER AGENT, A
TOXICLUNG IRRITANT, ABSORBED IN TISSUES, & A SYSTEMIC POISON. WHEN
INHALED IN HIGH CONCENTRATIONS, MAY BE FATAL IN AS SHORT TIME AS 10
MIN. L IS NOT DETOXIFIED BY TH E BODY. COMMON ROUTES OF ENTRY TO
THE BODY INCLUDE OCULAR, PERCUTANEOUS & INHALATION. CALL NEHC FOR
SYSTEMIC EFFECTS.

First Aid:INHAL: HOLD BREATH UNTIL RESP PROT MASK IS DONNED. RMV FROM
SOURCE IMMED. IF BREATHING HAS STOPPED, GIVE ARTIF RESP.
MOUTH-TO-MOUTH RESUS SHLD BE USED WHEN APPRVD MASKBAG OR OXYGEN
SYSTEMS ARE NOT AVA IL. DO NOT USE MOUTH-TO-MOUTH RESUS WHENFACIAL
CONTAM EXISTS. SEEK MED ATTN IMMED. EYE: SPEED DECONTAMINATING EYES
IS ESSENTIAL. RMV PERSON FROM LIQ SOURCE, FLUSH EYES IMMED W/WATER
FOR AT LEAST 15 M IN TILTING HEAD TO THE SIDE, PULLING EYELIDS
APART W/FINGERS & POURING WATER SLOWLY INTO EYES. DO NOT COVER EYES
W/BANDAGES. IF NEC, PROT EYES BY MEANS OF DARK OR OPAQUE GOGGLES.
SEEK MED ATTN IMMED.( SEE OTHER INFO)

Flash Point:DOESNT FLASH
Extinguishing Media:WATER, FOG, FOAM, CO2. AVOID USE OF EXTINGUISHING
METHODS THAT WILL CAUSE SPLASHING OR SPREADING OF L.
Fire Fighting Procedures:ALL NOT INVOLVED IN EXTING FIRE SHLD BE EVAC
IMMED. FIRES INVOLVING L SHLD BE CNTND TO PREV CONTAM OF
UNCONTROLLED AREA. FIREFIGHTER SHLD WEAR FULL PROT CLTHNG (W/O TAP
CLTHNG) DURING CHEM AGENT FIREF IGHT/ RESCUE OPER. RESP PROT REQD.
POS PRESS, FULLFACE PIECE, NIOSH APPRVD SCBA WILL BE WORN IF
DANGER(SEE FIRE & EXPLO)
Unusual Fire/Explosion Hazard:FIREFIGHT PROC: OF OXYGEN DEFICIENCY. DO
NOT BREATHE FUMES. SKIN CONTACT W/AGENTS MUST BE AVOIDED ALWAYS.
ALTHOUGH FIRE MAY DESTROY MOST OF THE AGENT, CARE MUST BE TAKEN TO
ASSURE AGENT OR CONTAM LIQ DO NOT FURTHER CONTAM OTHER
AREAS/SEWERS. CONTACT WITH THE AGENT LIQUID OR VAPOR CAN BE FATAL.

Spill Release Procedures:ONLY PERSON IN FULL PROT CLOTHES WILL BE
ALLOWED IN AREA WHERE L IS SPILLED. L SHLD BE CONTAINED USING
VERMICULITE, DIATOMACEOUS EARTH, CLAY/ FINE SAND & NEUTRALIZED
ASAP. COPIOUS AMT OF ALCOHOLIC CA USTIC, CARBONATE OR DS. CAUTION
MUST BEUSED WHEN USING DECONTAMINANT AS ACETYLENE WILL BE GIVEN
OFF. HOUSEHOLD BLEACH CAN ALSO BE USED IF ACCOMPANIED BY STIRRING
TO ALLOW CONTACT. (SEE NEUT AGENT)
Neutralizing Agent:SPILL: SCOOP UP ALL CONTAM MATL & CLOTHES & PLACE IN
APPRVD DOT CNTNR. (CALL NEHC FOR MORE INFO. 757-462-5536.

Handling and Storage Precautions:WHEN HANDLING AGENTS, BUDDY SYSTEM
WILL BE INCORPORATED. NO SMOKING, EAT, DRINK IN AREAS CONTAINING
AGENTS. CNTNRS SHLD BE PERIODICALLY INSPECTED FOR LEAKS EITHER
VISUALLY/ USING DETECTOR KIT. DECON TAM EQUIP WILL BE CONVENIENTLY
PLACED. EXITS MUST BE DESIGNED TO PERMIT RAPID EVAC. (SEE OTHER
PREC)
Other Precautions:HAND/STOR: STRINGENT CONTROL OVER ALL PERSONS
HANDLING L MUST BE EXERCISED. L SHOULD BE STORED IN CNTNRS MADE OF
GLASS FOR RESEARCH TEST & EVALUATION (RDTE) QUANTITIES OR 1 TON
STEEL CNTNERS FOR LG Q TY. AGENT WILLBE DOUBLE CONTAINED IN LIQ&
VAP TIGHT CNTNR WHEN IN STORAGE OR DURING TRANSPORTATION. (SEE FED
REGS)

Respiratory Protection:<0.003MG/M3: A FULL FACE PIECE, CHEM CANISTER,
AIR PURIFYING PROT MASK WILL BE ON HAND FOR ESCAPE. (THE M9-, M17-,
OR M40-SERIES MASKS ARE ACCEPTABLE FOR THIS PURPOSE. OTHER MASKS
CERTIFIED AS EQUIVAL ENT MAY BE USED.) 0.003MG/M3 OR UNKNOWN:A
NIOSH/MSHA APPRVD FULL FACE PIECE SCBA SUITABLE FOR USE IN HIGH
AGENT CONC W/PROT ENSEMBLE. (SEE DA PAM 385-61).
Ventilation:LOC EXHAUST: MANDATORY. MUST BE FILTERED/SCRUBBED TO LIMIT
EXIT CONC TO NON-DETECTABLE LEVEL. AIR EMISSIONS WILL MEET LOC, ST
& FED REGS. (SEE ECOLOGICAL INF0)
Protective Gloves:NORTON, CHEMICAL PROTECTIVE GLOVE SET, BUTYL RUBBER
GLOVES M3 AND M4.
Eye Protection:AS A MIN, CHEM GOGGLES WILL BE WORN. FOR SPLASH HAZ, USE
GOGGS & FACESHIELD.
Other Protective Equipment:PROVIDE CHEM SHOWER, EYEWASH STATION &
PERSONAL CLEANLINESS FACILITY. FOR LAB OPER,WEAR LAB COAT/GLOVES &
HAVE MASKS READILY ACCESSIBLE. DAILY CLEAN SMOCKS, FOOT/HEAD COVERS
(CALL NEHC)
Work Hygienic Practices:WASH HANDS BEFORE MEALS & SHOWER THOROUGHLY
W/SPECIAL ATTN GIVEN TO HAIR, FACE, NECK & HANDS, USING PLENTY OF
SOAP BEFORE LEAVING AT THE END OF THE WORKDAY.
Supplemental Safety and Health
SOLU IN WATER: & DILUTE MINERAL ACIDS. SOLUBLE IN ORGANIC SOLV, OILS &
ALCOHOL. HLTH HAZ: EFFECTS OF LEWISITE. RESP: IRRIT TO NASAL
PASSAGES & PRODUCES BURNING SENSATION FOLLOWED BY PROFUSE NASAL S
ECRETION/VIOLENT SNEEZING. PRLNGD EXPOS:COUGH & LG QTY OF FROTH
MUCUS. CONTACT NEHC FOR MORE INFO. 757-462-5536.

Boiling Pt:=190.C, 374.F
Melt/Freeze Pt:M.P/F.P Text:18C-0.1C
Vapor Pres:0.35 @25C; 0.394 @ 20C
Vapor Density:7.1 (AIR)
Spec Gravity:1.88 @ 25C (H2O = 1)
Solubility in Water:INSOLUBLE IN H2O (SUPDAT)
Appearance and Odor:PURE L: COLORLESS OILY LIQ. WAR GAS:AMBER-DARK BRN
LIQ. ODOR: (OTHER INFO)

Stability Indicator/Materials to Avoid:YES
CORROSIVE TO STEEL AT A RATE OF 1 X 10-5 TO 5 X 10-5 IN/MONTH AT 65 C.
Stability Condition to Avoid:STABLE IN STEEL OR GLASS CONTAINERS.
Hazardous Decomposition Products:REASONABLE STABLE; HOWEVER, IN
PRESENCE OF MOISTURE, IT HYDROLYSES RAPIDLY, LOSING ITS VESICANT
PROPERTY. IT ALSO HYDROLYSES IN ACIDIC MEDIUM TO FORM HCL &
NON-VOLATILE (SOLID) (STATE REGS)

Waste Disposal Methods:ALL NEUTRALIZED MATL SHLD BE COLLECTED &
CONTAINED FOR DISP ACCORDING TO LAND BAN RCRA REGS OR THERMALLY
DECOMPOSED IN AN EPA PERMITTED INCINERATOR EQUIPPED W/SCRUBBER THAT
WILL SCRUP OUT THE CHLORIDE S & EQUIPPED W/AN ELECTROSTATIC
PRECIPITATOR OR OTHER FILTER DEVICE TO REMOVE ARSENIC. COLLECT ALL
A RSENIC DUST FROM THE ELECTROSTATIC (SEE SARA III)

Toxicological Information:LCT50 (INHAL, MAN) = 1200-1500 MG-MIN/M3.
LCT50 (SKIN VAP EXPOS, MAN) = 100,000 MG-MIN/M3. LDLO (SKIN, HUMAN)
= 20 MG/KG. LCT50 (SKIN, MAN): 1500 MG/MIN3. L IRRITATES EYES AND
SKIN AND GIVES WARNING O F ITS PRESENCE. MINIMUM EFFECTIVE DOSE(ED
MIN) = 200 MG/M3 (30 MIN). ICT50 (EYE, MAN): <300 MG MIN/M3.

Disclaimer (provided with this information by the compiling agencies):
This information is formulated for use by elements of the Department
of Defense. The United States of America in no manner whatsoever,
expressly or implied, warrants this information to be accurate and
disclaims all liability for its use. Any person utilizing this
document should seek competent professional advice to verify and
assume responsibility for the suitability of this information to their
particular situation.

Ecological:VENT: SPECIAL: CHEM LAB HOODS WILL HAVE AN AVERAGE INWARD
FACE VELOCITY OF 100 LINEAR FT/MIN (LFPM+/- 10% W/VELOCITY AT ANY
POINT NOT DEVIATING FROM AVERAGE FACE VELOC BY > 20%. EXISTING LAB
HOODS WIL L HAVE AN INWARD FACE VELOCITY OF 150 LFPM +/- 20%. LAB
HOODS WILL BE LOCATED SO THAT CROSS DRAFTS DON'T EXCEED 20% OF
INWARD FACE VELOC. A VISUAL PERFORM TEST USING SMOKE PRODUCING
DEVICES WILL BE PE RFORMED IN ASSESSMENT OF INCLOSURE'S ABILITY TO
CONTAIN LEWISITE. OTHER: RECIRCULATION OF AIR FROM AGENT AREA IS
PROHIBITED. (CALL NEHC: 757-462-5536)

SARA Title III Information:WASTE DISP: PRECIPITATOR OR OTHER FILTER
DEVICE & CONTAINERIZE & LABEL ACCORDING TO DOT & EPA REGS. THE
ARSENIC WILL BE DISPOSED OF ACCORDING TO LAND BAN RCRA REGS. ANY
C0NTAMINATED MATLS/ PROT CLOTH ES SHLD BE DECONTAM USING ALCOHOLIC
CAUSTIC, CARBONATES, OR BLEACH ANALYZED TO ASSURE IT IS FREE OF
DETECTABLE CONTAM (3X) LEVEL. (SEE FED REG)
Federal Regulatory Information:SARA III: THE CLOTHING SHOULD THEN BE
SEALED IN PLASTIC BAGS INSIDE PROPERLY LABELED DRUMS & HELD FOR
SHIPMENT BACK TO THE DA ISSUE POINT. NOTE: SOME STATES DEFINE
DECONTAMINATED SURETY MATERIAL AS AN RCRA HAZARDOUS WASTE. OTHER
PREC: FORADDITIONAL INFORMATION SEE "AR 385-61, THE ARMY TOXIC
CHEMICAL AGENT SAFETY PROGRAM," "DA PAM 385-61, TOXIC CHEMICAL
AGENT SAFETY STANDARDS," & "DA PAM 40-173, O CCUPATIONAL HEALTH
GUIDELINES FOR THE EVALUATION AND CONTROL OF OCCUPATIONAL EXPOSURE
TO MUSTARD H, HD, HT, AND L"
State Regulatory Information:HAZ DECOMP: CHLOROVINYLARSENIOUS OXIDE,
WHICH IS LESS VESICANT THAN LEWISITE. HYDROLYSIS IN ALKALINE
MEDIUM, AS IN DECONTAMINATION W/ALCOHOLIC CAUSTIC OR CARBONATE
SOLUTION OR DECONTAMINATING AGENT DS (DS2), PRODUCES ACETYLENE &
TRISODIUM ARSENATE. THEREFORE, DECONTAMINATED SOLUTION WOULD
CONTAIN TOXIC ARSENIC.