Presence of four Fusarium mycotoxins and synthetic material in 'yellow rain'. Evidence for the use of chemical weapons in Laos

Biomed Mass Spectrom. 1982 Oct;9(10):443-50. doi: 10.1002/bms.1200091007.

Abstract

Analysis of a 'yellow rain' sample by selected ion monitoring revealed the presence of three trichothecenes: T-2 toxin, diacetoxyscirpenol and 4-deoxynivalenol in concentrations of at least 48, 42 and 58 ppm, respectively. The concentration of zearalenone, another Fusarium mycotoxin, was estimated to be at least 265 ppm. Evidence for a formulation which contained polyethylene glycol was also obtained.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Chemical Warfare Agents / analysis*
  • Environmental Pollutants / analysis*
  • Fusarium*
  • Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry
  • Laos
  • Mass Spectrometry
  • Mycotoxins / analysis*
  • Rain*
  • T-2 Toxin / analysis
  • Trichothecenes / analysis
  • Weather*
  • Zearalenone / analysis

Substances

  • Chemical Warfare Agents
  • Environmental Pollutants
  • Mycotoxins
  • Trichothecenes
  • Zearalenone
  • T-2 Toxin
  • deoxynivalenol
  • diacetoxyscirpenol