Mustard Gas (Hansard, 18 November 1997)

§ Mr. Spellar

This is a matter for the Chief Executive of the Defence Evaluation and Research Agency. I have asked the Chief Executive to write to my hon. Friend.

Letter from John Chisholm to Mr. Ken Livingstone, dated 18 November 1997:

I am replying to your question to the Secretary of State for Defence about the evaluation of the effects of mustard gas as this matter falls within my area of responsibility as Chief Executive of the Defence Evaluation and Research Agency (DERA).

The Chemical and Biological Defence Sector at Porton Down has not conducted any practical evaluation into the long term effects of short term exposure to mustard gas. However, DERA is aware of some reports that suggest a casual relationship between mustard gas exposure and respiratory and skin cancer, and possibly leukaemia. In particular, I refer you to the "Veterans at Risk" reports, details of which are given below.

You will recall from my reply to your earlier question about the ocular effects of mustard gas that case reports from the United States suggest that doses of between 400 and 800 milligrams per cubic metre per minute of mustard vapour result in corneal damage with ulceration and scarring of the conjunctiva. As far as recurrent corneal ulcerative disease is concerned, it has been reported that some individuals who experience acute eye injuries following exposure to high doses of mustard gas, particularly with liquid contamination of the eye, may exhibit clinical eye problems after their initial injuries have subsided. Sometimes recurrent and persistent corneal ulceration may occur after latent periods.

I hope this is helpful.

References:

1. C. M. Pechura and D. P. Rall (Editors). Veterans at Risk. The Health Effects of Mustard Gas and Lewisite. National Academy Press, Washington. 1993. ISBN 0–309–04832–X.

2. W. F. Hughes. Mustard gas injuries to the eyes. Archives of Ophthalmology. 27: 582–601, 1942.