Verification of SM Exposure in Biological Samples

Abstract

Sulfur mustard (SM) is a potent vesicant chem. warfare agent. Use of such agents is considered as "crossing a red line". Exposure to SM via inhalational, cutaneous and ocular route can result in a systemic uptake causing the formation of specific biomarkers that can be of use for verification. Comprehensive methods for a free of doubt verification in biol. samples do exist that detect either remaining pure SM in the circulation and tissues, or rely on biomarkers resulting from SM hydrolysis, SM biotransformation products, SM protein adduct or SM DNA adduct formation.This chapter provides an overview about existing biomarkers that indicate a SM exposure and anal. methods for their detection with special focus on the resp. toxicokinetics. Intact SM in urine or blood can be analyzed by GC- or LC-MS methods in a short time frame after exposure. Specific ss-lyase metabolites and non-specific TDG have also been successfully detd. by GC- or LC-MS methods. Several specific protein adducts with SM do occur, including albumin and Hb, and are frequently used for verification purposes. Finally, SM-DNA adducts can be visualized with immunohistochem. methods or with evidentiary LC-MS based methods. [on SciFinder(R)]