BIOLOGICAL ACTIVITY OF CARBONYL DIFLUORIDE

It is hydrogen fluoride acting on the tissues of the body that produces the recognised symptoms of COFj poisoning [76,254,393a,1787j. Consequently, unless the exposure dose has 

The initial symptoms experienced, on exposure to carbonyl difluoride, are irritation of the eyes, skin, nose and respiratory tract [253,255,277,2197]. However, the response is dose related and severe exposure can result in inflammation and congestion of the lungs, followed by cardiovascular collapse leading to death [39,255]. The skin may also be burned if brought into direct contact with carbonyl difluoride vapour or liquid, causing deep sores that are slow to heal [255]. This is the result of progressive chemical burning of the tissues if the condition is unchecked [255]. 

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