§ The Countess of Marasked Her Majesty's Government:
What is the colour of mustard gas observed by the naked eye, and what signs and symptoms they would expect to observe in an individual exposed to a few droplets of liquid mustard gas agent within five minute of exposure.
§ Lord HenleyThis is a matter for the Chief Executive of the Chemical and Biological Defence Establishment. I have therefore asked him to reply.
Letter to the Countess of Mar from the Chief Executive of the Chemical and Biological Defence 103WA Establishment, Dr. Graham Pearson, dated 8 December 1994:
1. Your Parliamentary Question to Her Majesty's Government asking what is the colour of mustard gas observed by the naked eye, and what signs and symptoms would they expect to observe in an individual exposed to a few droplets of liquid mustard gas agent within five minutes of exposure has been passed to me to answer as Chief Executive of the Chemical and Biological Defence Establishment.2. The colour of liquid mustard gas varies slightly according to the production process and the degree of purity. When chemically pure it is colourless but is generally yellowish in colour when produced for use in weapons.3. No symptoms or signs would be observed in the first five minutes after exposure to a few drops of liquid mustard. Eye and skin effects are typically delayed by several hours after exposure. A very high concentration of mustard gas may cause immediate cough and irritation, but such a concentration would not be produced following exposure to a few droplets.