April 2002 |
ToxFAQs™ |
for |
Phosgene Oxime |
(Oxima
De Fosgeno) |
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This fact sheet answers the most frequently
asked health questions about phosgene oxime. 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 oxime
was developed as a chemical warfare agent. Only people
working near where phosgene oxime has been stored are
at risk of being exposed to this substance. Exposure to
high levels of phosgene oxime vapors may cause severe
lung damage, and even death. Contact with gaseous, liquid,
or solid phosgene oxime may result in severe skin or eye
damage. Phosgene oxime has been found in at least 1 of
the 1,585 National Priorities List sites identified by
the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). |
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What
is phosgene oxime? |
Phosgene oxime is a manufactured chemical
that was developed as a potential chemical warfare agent,
but its use on the battlefield has never been documented.
It has a disagreeable penetrating odor. Pure phosgene oxime
is a colorless, crystalline solid; the munitions grade compound
is a yellowish-brown liquid. Both the liquid and the solid
can give off vapors at ambient temperatures.
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What
happens to phosgene oxime when it enters the environment? |
- When released to air, phosgene oxime will exist solely
in the gas-phase. Phosgene oxime vapors are broken down
in the atmosphere by reacting with substances commonly found
in the air, but this is a very slow process. Phosgene oxime
in the air may also react with moisture in clouds or rain
and be broken down into other compounds.
- Phosgene oxime will react with water or be broken down
into other products by bacteria. Some of the phosgene oxime
that is not broken down may evaporate into air.
- Phosgene oxime will not stick to the soil. Small amounts
may evaporate into air or travel below the soil surface
and contaminate groundwater. Most of the phosgene oxime
in soil will be broken down upon contact with moisture or
be degraded by bacteria.
- Phosgene oxime does not accumulate in the food chain.
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How
might I be exposed to phosgene oxime? |
It is not likely that you would be exposed
to phosgene oxime; it has never been known to have been used
in chemical warfare.
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How
can phosgene oxime affect my health? |
Breathing phosgene oxime vapors can cause
severe bronchitis and accumulation of fluid in the lungs.
Skin contact with phosgene oxime will cause swelling and itching
hives that can also result in immediate and painful skin damage.
Eye contact may result in severe pain and conjunctivitis.
Phosgene oxime is absorbed through the skin and eye; this
can also result in pulmonary edema. Inhaling or directly contacting
significant amounts of phosgene oxime can result in death.
We do not know what happens if you swallow
phosgene oxime liquid or solid. However, animal studies indicate
that if you did, you might suffer swelling and bleeding of
the gastrointestinal tract.
The effects of long-term exposure to
phosgene oxime in humans are not known.
We do not know if exposure to phosgene
oxime might cause reproductive effects in humans.
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How
likely is phosgene oxime 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 oxime for carcinogenicity.
There is no information to determine whether exposure to phosgene
oxime might cause cancer.
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How
does phosgene oxime affect children? |
There are no studies on the health effects
of children exposed to phosgene oxime. It is likely that the
health effects seen in children exposed to phosgene oxime
would be similar to the effects seen in adults. We do not
know whether children differ from adults in their susceptibility
to phosgene oxime.
We do not know if exposure to phosgene
oxime would result in birth defects or other developmental
effects in people and no information exist from animal studies.
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How
can families reduce the risk of exposure to phosgene oxime? |
Most families will not be exposed to
phosgene oxime.
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Is
there a medical test to show whether I've been exposed to phosgene
oxime? |
There are no tests to positively determine
whether you have been exposed to phosgene oxime. If you suspect
that you may have been exposed to phosgene oxime, 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? |
No standards or recommendations are available
for phosgene oxime.
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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 Oxime. 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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