Adamsite (military designation DM) is an arsenic-containing chemical warfare agent that may be used for riot control. Its main function is to incapacitate.
Synonyms: 10-chloro-5,10-dihydroarsacridine, 10-chloro-5,10-dihydrophenarsazine, 5-aza-10-arsenaanthracene chloride, diphenylaminchlorarsine
CAS number: 578-94-9
Dispersal is usually by aerosol. Concentrated aerosols may be canary yellow in color but it becomes colorless once dispersed. The aerosol is odorless.
Exposures: inhalation, skin contact, eye contact, rarely ingestion
Onset is delayed (5-10 minutes).
Duration of toxic effects may be from 30 minutes to several hours.
Toxic effects:
(1) respiratory tract irritation with coughing and dyspnea
(2) eye irritation
(3) throat irritation
(4) headache
(5) nausea and vomiting
(6) diarrhea
In large exposures it can be fatal.
An exposure can be confirmed by laboratory testing.
