April 2002 |
ToxFAQs™ |
for |
Phosgene |
(Fosgeno) |
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This fact sheet answers the most frequently
asked health questions about phosgene. For more information,
you may call the ATSDR Information Center at 1-888-422-8737.
This fact sheet is one in a series of summaries about hazardous
substances and their health effects. This information is important
because this substance may harm you. The effects of exposure
to any hazardous substance depend on the dose, the duration,
how you are exposed, personal traits and habits, and whether
other chemicals are present.
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HIGHLIGHTS: Phosgene is a colorless,
nonflammable gas at room temperature. The general population
is not exposed to significant amounts of phosgene. Higher
exposure may occur during manufacture or industrial use.
Exposure to phosgene in the air can cause eye and throat
irritation. High amounts in the air can cause severe lung
damage. This substance has been found in at least 10 of
the 1,585 National Priorities List sites identified by
the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). |
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What
is phosgene? |
Phosgene is a colorless nonflammable
gas that has the odor of freshly cut hay. It is a manufactured
chemical, but small amounts occur naturally from the break
down of chlorinated compounds.
Phosgene is used in the manufacture of
other chemicals such as dyestuffs, isocyanates, polycarbonates
and acid chlorides; it is also used in the manufacture of
pesticides and pharmaceuticals. Phosgene can also be used
to separate ores.
Phosgene is a gas at room temperature,
but is sometimes stored as a liquid under pressure or refrigeration.
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What
happens to phosgene when it enters the environment? |
- When released to air, phosgene will exist solely as a
gas. Phosgene gas is degraded in the atmosphere by reacting
with substances commonly found in the air, but this is a
very slow process. Phosgene in the air may also react with
moisture in clouds or rain and be broken down into other
compounds.
- Phosgene will react with water and be broken down into
other products. Some of the phosgene that is not broken
down may evaporate into air.
- When released to soil, phosgene will not stick to the
soil. Small amounts may evaporate into air or pass through
the soil surface and contaminate groundwater. Most of the
phosgene in soil will be broken down when it comes into
contact with moisture.
- Phosgene does not accumulate in the food chain.
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How
might I be exposed to phosgene? |
- The general population may be exposed to very low levels
of phosgene by breathing in air.
- Phosgene is released during the welding of metals that
have been cleaned up with chlorinated solvents, so welders
may be exposed to this compound.
- Phosgene is used to produce a variety of other compounds
like dyes and pesticides, so workers employed in these fields
may be exposed to this compound.
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How
can phosgene affect my health? |
Phosgene can be harmful if you breathe
it. Exposure to low levels can cause eye and throat irritation
making you to cough or wheeze. Higher levels of phosgene gas
can cause your lungs to swell, making it difficult to breathe.
This can happen quickly or might not be noticed until the
next day. Even higher levels can result in severe damage to
your lungs that might lead to death.
Available studies of workers exposed
for long periods of time to low levels of phosgene gas have
not shown increased chances of developing lung problems.
If you get phosgene gas or liquid on
your skin or in your eyes, you may develop chemical burns.
Phosgene liquid may also cause frostbite. However, you are
not likely to come into contact with liquid phosgene. In the
unlikely case that you swallow phosgene liquid, your mouth,
throat, esophagus, and stomach could be damaged.
No information is available regarding
the potential of phosgene to cause reproductive effects.
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How
likely is phosgene to cause cancer? |
The Department of Health and Human Services
(DHHS), the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC),
and the EPA have not classified phosgene as to its carcinogenicity.
There is no information to determine whether exposure to phosgene
might cause cancer.
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How
does phosgene affect children? |
There are no studies on the health effects
of children exposed to phosgene. It is likely that the health
effects seen in children exposed to phosgene will be similar
to the effects seen in adults. We do not know whether children
differ from adults in their susceptibility to phosgene.
We do not know if exposure to phosgene
will result in birth defects or other developmental effects
in humans.
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How
can families reduce the risk of exposure to phosgene? |
Most families will not be exposed to
significant levels of phosgene. However, the burning of materials
such as certain plastics that contain chlorinated hydrocarbons
can produce phosgene gas. You should stay away from fires
or other heat sources where such materials may be present.
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Is
there a medical test to show whether I've been exposed to phosgene? |
There are no tests to positively determine
whether you have been exposed to phosgene. If you suspect
that you may have been exposed to phosgene, a chest X-ray
may be the quickest way to determine if your lungs have been
damaged. This can be done in a hospital, clinic, or doctor's
office that has an X-ray machine.
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Has
the federal government made recommendations to protect human
health? |
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration
(OSHA) sets a limit of 0.1 part of phosgene in a million parts
of air (0.1 ppm) in the workplace for an 8-hour work shift,
40-hour work week.
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References |
Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease
Registry (ATSDR). 2002. Managing Hazardous Materials Incidents.
Volume III Medical Management Guidelines for Acute
Chemical Exposures: Phosgene. Atlanta,
GA: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Public Health
Service. |
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Where can I get
more information? |
ATSDR can tell you where to find occupational
and environmental health clinics. Their specialists can recognize,
evaluate, and treat illnesses resulting from exposure to hazardous
substances. You can also contact your community or state health
or environmental quality department if you have any more questions
or concerns.
For more information, contact:
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Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry
Division of Toxicology
1600 Clifton Road NE, Mailstop F-32
Atlanta, GA 30333
Phone: 1-888-42-ATSDR (1-888-422-8737)
FAX: (770)-488-4178
Email: ATSDRIC@cdc.gov
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