Chlorine is indeed a very nasty gas. It forms hydrochloric acid when it comes into contact with water, such as inside your lungs. There was a railroad accident in the Northwest around 1980 which released a carload of chlorine. A young brakewoman died from chlorine inhalation, though not for months after the event. Terrible way to go.
Chlorine and mustard gas are not the same thing, however, even though both were used as weapons in WWI.
Thank You, I was under the impression that they were the same.
Dave Hopkin
Former Troop Commander at British Army (1977–1984)
Physical Effects of Gases
Chlorine, the first lethal gas used, causes a build up of fluid in the lungs called a pulmonary edema, this in its worst form causes the victim to drown in his own lung fluid, the eyes can be effected cause blindness which can be permanent.
Mustard Gas, is a blister agent, and causes exposed skin to create huge areas of blistered skin with a fluid underneath, its extremely painful and akin to massive burn injury, if directly inhaled it will blister the inner surface of the lungs and can cause the victim to drown in their own lung fluid, again exposing the eyes to the gas can cause blindness which may be permanent.
Phosgene Gas has virtually identical effects as Mustard Gas.
https://www.quora.com/profile/Dave-Hopkin-1
Mustard gas, aka sulfur mustard, is 1-Chloro-2-[(2-chloroethyl)sulfanyl]ethane. Not Cl2. Both bad, but different bads.