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Chemical Datasheet

PHOSGENE

2.3 - Poisonous gas 8 - Corrosive

Chemical Identifiers

CAS Number UN/NA Number DOT Hazard Label USCG CHRIS Code
  • 75-44-5   (PHOSGENE)
  • 1076
  • Poison Gas
  • Corrosive
  • PHG
NIOSH Pocket Guide International Chem Safety Card
Phosgene
  • PHOSGENE
NFPA 704
Diamond Hazard Value Description
0
4 1
Blue Health 4 Can be lethal.
Red Flammability 0 Will not burn under typical fire conditions.
Yellow Instability 1 Normally stable but can become unstable at elevated temperatures and pressures.
White Special
(NFPA, 2010)
General Description
A colorless gas or very low-boiling, volatile liquid with an odor of new-mown hay or green corn. Extremely toxic. Warning properties of the gas inhaled are slight, death may occur within 36 hours (Lewis, 3rd ed., 1993, p. 1027). Prolonged exposure of the containers to intense heat may result in their violent rupturing and rocketing.

Rate of onset: Immediate & Delayed (Lungs)

Persistence: Minutes - hours

Odor threshold: 0.5 ppm

Source/use/other hazard: Dye, pesticide, and other industries; history as war gas, corrosive/irritating.

Hazards

Reactivity Alerts
none
Air & Water Reactions
Decomposes slowly in water or moist air (or when inhaled) to form very corrosive hydrogen chloride gas (hydrochloric acid) and carbon monoxide.
Fire Hazard
When heated to decomposition or on contact with water or steam, it will react to produce toxic and corrosive fumes. Reacts violently with aluminum; tert-butyl azido formate; 2,4-hexadiyn-1,6-diol; isopropyl alcohol; potassium; sodium; hexafluoro isopropylidene; amino lithium; lithium. Stable in steel containers if dry. Avoid moisture. (EPA, 1998)
Health Hazard
Phosgene is a lung toxicant that causes damage to the capillaries, bronchioles and alveoli of the lungs, by decomposition to hydrochloric acid. There is little immediate irritant effect upon the respiratory tract, and the warning properties of the gas are therefore very slight. Pulmonary edema, bronchopneumonia and occasionally lung abscesses develop. Degenerative changes in the nerves have been reported as later developments. A concentration of 25 ppm is dangerous for exposures lasting 30-60 minutes and 50 ppm is rapidly fatal after even short exposure. (EPA, 1998)
Reactivity Profile
PHOSGENE is water reactive. Incompatible with strong oxidizing agents, alcohols, amines, alkali. May react violently with aluminum, alkali metals (lithium, potassium, sodium), alcohols (isopropyl alcohol, 2,4-hexadiyn-1,6-diol), sodium azide [Bretherick, 5th ed., 1995, p. 134]. May react vigorously or explosively if mixed with diisopropyl ether or other ethers in the presence of trace amounts of metal salts [J. Haz. Mat., 1981, 4, 291]. Phosgene reacts with phosphate or silicate salts, yielding water-reactive and toxic POCl3 with phosphates (Dunlap, K.L. 2005. Phosgene. In Kirk-Othmer Encyclopedia of Chemical Technology. John Wiley & Sons, Inc.).
Belongs to the Following Reactive Group(s)
Potentially Incompatible Absorbents

Use caution: Liquids with this reactive group classification have been known to react with the absorbents listed below.

Response Recommendations

Isolation and Evacuation
Excerpt from 125 Polymerizable warning [Gases - Toxic and/or Corrosive]:

IMMEDIATE PRECAUTIONARY MEASURE: Isolate spill or leak area for at least 100 meters (330 feet) in all directions.

SPILL: If this material is being used as a weapon, see ERG Table 1 - Initial Isolation and Protective Action Distances on the 125 datasheet for unassigned UN/NA numbers Polymerizable warning. Otherwise see ERG Table 1 - Initial Isolation and Protective Action Distances on the UN/NA 1076 datasheet.

FIRE: If tank, rail car or tank truck is involved in a fire, ISOLATE for 1600 meters (1 mile) in all directions; also, consider initial evacuation for 1600 meters (1 mile) in all directions. (ERG, 2020)
Firefighting
If necessary to stop flow of gas, use water spray to protect the personnel effecting shutoff. Sodium hydroxide or anhydrous ammonia have been used to neutralize phosgene.

Nonflammable. For small fires, use dry chemical or carbon dioxide. Use water spray, fog, or foam for larger fires. Do not get water inside containers. Move container from fire area if you can do so without risk. Stay away from the ends of tanks, and cool exposed containers with water until well after the fire is out. Isolate the area until gas has dispersed. (EPA, 1998)
Non-Fire Response
Excerpt from 125 Polymerizable warning [Gases - Toxic and/or Corrosive]:

Do not touch or walk through spilled material. Stop leak if you can do it without risk. If possible, turn leaking containers so that gas escapes rather than liquid. Prevent entry into waterways, sewers, basements or confined areas. Do not direct water at spill or source of leak. Use water spray to reduce vapors or divert vapor cloud drift. Avoid allowing water runoff to contact spilled material. Isolate area until gas has dispersed. (ERG, 2020)
Protective Clothing
Excerpt from NIOSH Pocket Guide for Phosgene:

Skin: PREVENT SKIN CONTACT (LIQUID) - If this chemical is in liquid form, wear appropriate personal protective clothing to prevent skin contact.

Eyes: PREVENT EYE CONTACT (LIQUID) - If this chemical is in liquid form, wear appropriate eye protection to prevent eye contact.

Wash skin: WHEN CONTAMINATED (LIQUID) - If this chemical is in liquid form, the worker should immediately wash the skin when it becomes contaminated.

Remove: WHEN WET OR CONTAMINATED (LIQUID) - If this chemical is in liquid form, work clothing that becomes wet or significantly contaminated should be removed and replaced.

Change: No recommendation is made specifying the need for the worker to change clothing after the workshift.

Provide: QUICK DRENCH (LIQUID) - Facilities for quickly drenching the body should be provided (when this chemical is in liquid form) within the immediate work area for emergency use where there is a possibility of exposure. [Note: It is intended that these facilities provide a sufficient quantity or flow of water to quickly remove the substance from any body areas likely to be exposed. The actual determination of what constitutes an adequate quick drench facility depends on the specific circumstances. In certain instances, a deluge shower should be readily available, whereas in others, the availability of water from a sink or hose could be considered adequate.] (NIOSH, 2023)
DuPont Tychem® Suit Fabrics
Normalized Breakthrough Times (in Minutes)
Chemical CAS Number State QS QC SL C3 TF TP RC TK RF
Phosgene 75-44-5 Vapor >480 >480 >480 >480 >480 >480
> indicates greater than.

Special Warning from DuPont: Tychem® and Tyvek® fabrics should not be used around heat, flames, sparks or in potentially flammable or explosive environments. Only...

(DuPont, 2023)

First Aid
Warning: Effects may be delayed up to 24 hours. Caution is advised.

Signs and Symptoms of Acute Phosgene Exposure: Acute exposure to phosgene may result in severe irritation and burns of the skin, eyes, mucous membranes, and respiratory passages. Cough, dyspnea (shortness of breath), pain in the chest, and severe pulmonary edema may also occur. Cyanosis (blue tint to the skin and mucous membranes) and anxiety may be observed.

Emergency Life-Support Procedures: Acute exposure to phosgene may require decontamination and life support for the victims. Emergency personnel should wear protective clothing appropriate to the type and degree of contamination. Air-purifying or supplied-air respiratory equipment should also be worn, as necessary. Rescue vehicles should carry supplies such as plastic sheeting and disposable plastic bags to assist in preventing spread of contamination.

Inhalation Exposure:
1. Move victims to fresh air. Emergency personnel should avoid self-exposure to phosgene.
2. Evaluate vital signs including pulse and respiratory rate, and note any trauma. If no pulse is detected, provide CPR. If not breathing, provide artificial respiration. If breathing is labored, administer oxygen or other respiratory support.
3. Obtain authorization and/or further instructions from the local hospital for administration of an antidote or performance of other invasive procedures.
4. RUSH to a health care facility.

Dermal/Eye Exposure:
1. Remove victims from exposure. Emergency personnel should avoid self- exposure to phosgene.
2. Evaluate vital signs including pulse and respiratory rate, and note any trauma. If no pulse is detected, provide CPR. If not breathing, provide artificial respiration. If breathing is labored, administer oxygen or other respiratory support.
3. Remove contaminated clothing as soon as possible.
4. If eye exposure has occurred, eyes must be flushed with lukewarm water for at least 15 minutes.
5. Wash exposed skin areas THOROUGHLY with soap and water.
6. Obtain authorization and/or further instructions from the local hospital for administration of an antidote or performance of other invasive procedures.
7. RUSH to a health care facility.

Ingestion Exposure: No information is available. (EPA, 1998)

Physical Properties

Chemical Formula:
  • CCl2O
Flash Point: data unavailable
Lower Explosive Limit (LEL): data unavailable
Upper Explosive Limit (UEL): data unavailable
Autoignition Temperature: Not flammable (USCG, 1999)
Melting Point: -180°F (EPA, 1998)
Vapor Pressure: 1215 mmHg at 68°F (EPA, 1998)
Vapor Density (Relative to Air): 3.4 (EPA, 1998) - Heavier than air; will sink
Specific Gravity: 1.432 at 32°F (EPA, 1998) - Denser than water; will sink
Boiling Point: 47°F at 760 mmHg (EPA, 1998)
Molecular Weight: 98.92 (EPA, 1998)
Water Solubility: Very slightly soluble (NTP, 1992)
Ionization Energy/Potential: 11.55 eV (NIOSH, 2023)
IDLH: 2 ppm (NIOSH, 2023)

AEGLs (Acute Exposure Guideline Levels)

Final AEGLs for Phosgene (75-44-5)
Exposure Period AEGL-1 AEGL-2 AEGL-3
10 minutes NR 0.6 ppm 3.6 ppm
30 minutes NR 0.6 ppm 1.5 ppm
60 minutes NR 0.3 ppm 0.75 ppm
4 hours NR 0.08 ppm 0.2 ppm
8 hours NR 0.04 ppm 0.09 ppm
NR = Not recommended due to insufficient data
(NAC/NRC, 2023)

ERPGs (Emergency Response Planning Guidelines)

Chemical ERPG-1 ERPG-2 ERPG-3
Phosgene (75-44-5) NA 0.5 ppm 1.5 ppm
NA = not appropriate.
(AIHA, 2022)

PACs (Protective Action Criteria)

Chemical PAC-1 PAC-2 PAC-3
Phosgene (75-44-5) 0.027 ppm 0.3 ppm 0.75 ppm
(DOE, 2018)

Regulatory Information

EPA Consolidated List of Lists

Regulatory Name CAS Number/
313 Category Code
EPCRA 302
EHS TPQ
EPCRA 304
EHS RQ
CERCLA RQ EPCRA 313
TRI
RCRA
Code
CAA 112(r)
RMP TQ
Carbonic dichloride 75-44-5 10 pounds 10 pounds 10 pounds X P095 500 pounds
Phosgene 75-44-5 10 pounds 10 pounds 10 pounds 313 P095 500 pounds

(EPA List of Lists, 2022)

CISA Chemical Facility Anti-Terrorism Standards (CFATS)

RELEASE THEFT SABOTAGE
Chemical of Interest CAS Number Min Conc STQ Security
Issue
Min Conc STQ Security
Issue
Min Conc STQ Security
Issue
Phosgene; [Carbonic dichloride] or [carbonyl dichloride] 75-44-5 1.00 % 500 pounds toxic 0.17 % 15 pounds WME

(CISA, 2007)

OSHA Process Safety Management (PSM) Standard List

Chemical Name CAS Number Threshold Quantity (TQ)
Carbonyl Chloride (see Phosgene) 75-44-5 100 pounds
Phosgene (also called Carbonyl Chloride) 75-44-5 100 pounds

(OSHA, 2019)

Alternate Chemical Names