Mustard Gas Was the First Weapon of Mass Destruction

Mustard gas was first used as a chemical weapon by Germany in 1917 during World War I. Despite its name, it is actually a liquid that forms a toxic mist. The gas causes severe blistering of the skin, blindness, and respiratory damage. Only about two to three percent of soldiers exposed to mustard gas died, but many were permanently disabled. The truly insidious aspect was that contaminated ground remained dangerous for weeks after an attack. Soldiers could be poisoned without knowing it, as the chemical has a delayed effect and symptoms appear hours after exposure. Mustard gas caused over 120,000 casualties in World War I and was used again in various conflicts despite being banned by the Geneva Protocol in 1925.