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Phosgene
May 1994
Immediately Dangerous to Life or Health Concentrations (IDLH)
CAS number: 75–44–5
NIOSH REL: 0.1 ppm (0.4 mg/m3) TWA,
0.2 ppm (0.8 mg/m3) 15-minute CEILING
Current OSHA PEL: 0.1 ppm (0.4 mg/m3) TWA
1989 OSHA PEL: Same as current PEL
1993-1994 ACGIH TLV: 0.1 ppm (0.40 mg/m3) TWA
Description of substance: Colorless gas with a suffocating odor like musty hay.
LEL: . . Nonflammable Gas
Original (SCP) IDLH: 2 ppm
Basis for original (SCP) IDLH: The chosen IDLH is based on the statement by Jacobs [1967] that 1 part in 200,000 (5 ppm) is probably lethal for exposures of 30 minutes. Gross et al. [1965] indicated that concentrations as low as 0.5 ppm for 2 hours caused definite pathological changes in the lungs of rats sacrificed 96 hours post exposure; the investigators believed some abnormalities were present 3 months after rats had been exposed at 2 ppm for 80 minutes. An IDLH of 2 ppm is used for phosgene to prevent irreversible adverse health effects.
Existing short-term exposure guidelines: National Research Council [NRC 1984] Emergency Exposure Guidance Levels (EEGLs):
1-hour EEGL: 0.2 ppm
24-hour EEGL: 0.02 ppm
ACUTE TOXICITY DATA:
Lethal concentration data:
| Species | Reference | LC50 (ppm) | LCLo (ppm) | Time | Adjusted 0.5-hr LC (CF) | Derived value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Human | Diller 1978 | 500 | —– | 1 min | 160 ppm (0.32) | 16 ppm |
| Human | Diller 1978 | —– | 3 | 2.83 hr | 5.3 ppm (1.78) | 0.5 ppm |
| Human | Diller 1978 | —– | 30 | 17 min | 25 ppm (0.82) | 2.5 ppm |
| Mammal | Flury 1928 | —– | 50 | 5 min | 28 ppm (0.55) | 2.8 ppm |
| Human | Izmerov et al. 1982 | —– | 88 | 30 min | 88 ppm (1.0) | 8.8 ppm |
| Cat | Izmerov et al. 1982 | —– | 46 | 15 min | 37 ppm (0.79) | 3.7 ppm |
| Rat | NDRC 1946 | 340 | —– | 30 min | 340 ppm (1.0) | 34 ppm |
| Mouse | NDRC 1946 | 438 | —– | 30 min | 438 ppm (1.0) | 44 ppm |
| Rabbit | NDRC 1946 | 243 | —– | 30 min | 243 ppm (1.0) | 24 ppm |
| G. pig | NDRC 1946 | 316 | —– | 30 min | 316 ppm (1.0) | 32 ppm |
| Dog | NDRC 1946 | 1,022 | —– | 20 min | 981 ppm (0.96) | 98 ppm |
| Monkey | NDRC 1946 | 145 | —– | 1 min | 46 ppm (0.32) | 4.6 ppm |
| Human | Tab Biol Per 1933 | —– | 50 | 5 min | 28 ppm (0.55) | 2.8 ppm |
| Mammal | Tab Biol Per 1933 | —– | 2.7 | 30 min | 2.7 ppm (1.0) | 0.3 ppm |
Other animal data: It has been reported that concentrations as low as 0.5 ppm for 2 hours caused definite pathological changes in the lungs of rats sacrificed 96 hours post exposure; the investigators believed some abnormalities were present 3 months after the rats had been exposed at 2 ppm for 80 minutes [Gross et al. 1965].
Other human data: It has been calculated that based on acute toxicity data in humans, the lethal dose for a 30-minute exposure would be about 17 ppm [Diller 1978]. It has been stated that 25 ppm for 30 to 60 minutes is dangerous and brief exposure to 50 ppm may be rapidly fatal [Henderson and Haggard 1943]. It has also been stated that 5 ppm is probably lethal for a 30-minute exposure [Jacobs 1967].
| Revised IDLH: 2 ppm [Unchanged]Basis for revised IDLH: Based on acute inhalation toxicity data in humans [Diller 1978; Jacobs 1967], the original IDLH for phosgene (2 ppm) is not being revised at this time. |
REFERENCES:
1. Diller WF [1978]. Medical phosgene problems and their possible solution. J Occup Med 20:189-193.
2. Flury F [1928]. Moderne gewerbliche vergiftungen in pharmakologisch-toxikologischer hinsicht (Pharmacological-toxicological aspects of intoxicants in modern industry). Arch Exp Pathol Pharmakol 138:65-82 (translated).
3. Gross P, Rinehart WE, Hatch T [1965]. Chronic pneumonitis caused by phosgene. Arch Environ Health 10:768-775.
4. Henderson Y, Haggard HW [1943]. Noxious gases. 2nd ed. New York, NY: Reinhold Publishing Corporation, pp. 137-138.
5. Izmerov NF, Sanotsky IV, Sidorov KK [1982]. Toxicometric parameters of industrial toxic chemicals under single exposure. Moscow, Russia: Centre of International Projects, GKNT, p. 99.
6. Jacobs MB [1967]. The analytical toxicology of industrial inorganic poisons. New York, NY: Interscience Publishers, pp. 648-649.
7. NDRC [1946]. Summary technical report of division 9, NDRC. Vol 1. Chemical warfare agents and related chemical problems. Parts I-II. Washington, DC: National Defence Research Committee, pp. 1-385.
8. NRC [1984]. Emergency and continuous exposure limits for selected airborne contaminants. Vol. 2. Washington, DC: National Academy Press, Committee on Toxicology, Board on Toxicology and Environmental Health Hazards, Commission on Life Sciences, National Research Council, pp. 69-86.
9. Tab Biol Per [1933]; 3:231 (in German).