A review on delayed toxic effects of sulfur mustard in Iranian veterans

Abstract

Iranian soldiers were attacked with chemical bombs, rockets and artillery shells 387 times during the 8-years war by Iraq (1980–1988). More than 1,000 tons of sulfur mustard gas was used in the battlefields by the Iraqis against Iranian people. A high rate of morbidities occurred as the result of these attacks. This study aimed to evaluate the delayed toxic effects of sulfur mustard gas on Iranian victims. During a systematic search, a total of 193 (109 more relevant to the main aim) articles on sulfur mustard gas were reviewed using known international and national databases. No special evaluation was conducted on the quality of the articles and their publication in accredited journals was considered sufficient. High rate of morbidities as the result of chemical attacks by sulfur mustard among Iranian people occurred. Iranian researchers found a numerous late complications among the victims which we be listed as wide range of respiratory, ocular, dermatological, psychological, hematological, immunological, gastrointestinal and endocrine complications, all influenced the quality of life of exposed victims. The mortality rate due to this agent was 3%. Although, mortality rate induced by sulfur mustard among Iranian people was low, variety and chronicity of toxic effects and complications of this chemical agent were dramatic.

Topical nitrogen mustard exposure causes systemic toxic effects in mice

“…From the variety of mustard agents developed, sulfur mustard (SM; 2, 2-dichloroethyl sulfide) has been most widely used as a warfare agent earning it the name, “King of war gases” (Blewett, 1986). SM, a vesicating agent, upon exposure causes debilitating effects to the respiratory tract, and ocular and dermal systems (Balali-Mood and Hefazi, 2005, 2006, Balali-Mood et al, 2005, Balali-Mood et al, 2008, Borak and Sidell, 1992, Davis and Aspera, 2001, Geraci, 2008, Ghabili et al, 2011, Ghanei and Harandi, 2007, Ghanei et al, 2010, Hefazi et al, 2006, Mansour Razavi et al, 2012, Petrali et al, 2000, Rowell et al, 2009, Saladi, Smith, 2006, Shohrati et al, 2007). The extent of injury by SM depends upon the concentration and duration of its exposure.…”

Long-term effects of sulfur mustard on civilians’ mental health 20 years after exposure (The Sardasht-Iran Cohort Study)

“…Studies have shown that there is strong association between physical illness with subsequent disability and psychiatric disorders in chemical warfare survivors [23-25]. Thus, one might argue that the higher rate of mental health problems in chemical warfare patients might be due to the higher rate of morbidities among this community [26]. There is evidence that exposure to mustard gas can cause both early toxic and long-term adverse health effects [27].…”

Sulfur Mustard: Persisting Threat

“…Je odhadováno, že během 387 chemických útoků bylo iráckou stranou použito více jak 1 000 tun sirného yperitu (25). Khateri a kol.…”

“…U zasažených osob studie prokázaly korelaci mezi expozicí sirnému yperitu a výskytem karcinomu nosohltanu, plic, žaludku a akutní lymfoblastické a myeloblastické leukémie (25,26). Dle klasifikace Mezinárodní agentury pro výzkum rakoviny (IARC) je sirný yperit zařazen do 1. skupiny, tedy mezi látky s prokazatelným karcinogenním účinkem na člověka (27).…”