ethyldichlorarsine

Toxic gas used in World War I by the Germans from March 1918. Short exposure to the gas causes irritation to the respiratory passages and lungs, but longer exposure can be lethal. In addition to the pulmonary effects, the arsenic component is absorbed rapidly and leads to systemic poisoning. Long exposure also burns the skin, so that the gas is a complex of lung injurant, toxic, and vesicant effects.

It was used in mixtures with the equally toxic dichlormethyl ether in artillery shells as part of bombardments and support for infantry attacks.