Sulfur mustard (HD) poses a serious threat due to its relatively simple production process. Exposure to HD in the short-term causes an inflammatory response, while long-term exposure results in DNA and RNA damage. Respiratory tract tissue models were exposed to relatively low concentrations of HD and collected at 3 and 24 h post exposure. Histology, cytokine ELISAs, and mass spectrometric-based analyses were performed. Histology and ELISA data confirmed previously seen lung damage and inflammatory markers from HD exposure. The multi-omic mass spectrometry data showed variation in proteins and metabolites associated with increased inflammation, as well as DNA and RNA damage. HD exposure causes DNA and RNA damage that results in variation of proteins and metabolites that are associated with transcription, translation and cellular energy.

Lewisite (Military Code: L) is an arsenical vesicant chemical warfare agent (CWA) that was developed in the United States during World War I. Even though its use has not been documented in warfare, large stockpiles were created and still exist in various locations around the world. Given that large quantities exist as well as the relative straightforward process for its creation, Lewisite still presents itself as a serious threat agent. In this study, we examined the effects of Lewisite on human dermal equivalent tissues (EpiDermTM/EpiDermTM-FT) through the evaluation of cellular viability, histology, and multiomic analysis.