Phosgene, lung damage

In their literature review, Diller and Zante (1982) also identified nonlethal effects from phosgene exposure (lethal effects are described in Section 2.1). Nonlethal information synthesized from this review is presented in Table 1-4. From the above data and from animal data for initial lung damage, Diller and Zante (1982) synthesized information for nonlethal effects of phosgene in humans (Table 1-5). 

Exposure to very high levels of phosgene may lead to death before pulmonary oedema has developed. The cause of this is obscure, although the effect has been recorded in cases of exposure to high levels of other lung-damaging compounds, including chlorine. The hypothesis of reflex inhibition of respiration is often put forward in explanation of this effect. 

TIC include lung-damaging agents (chlorine and phosgene are both used widely in the chemical industry), perfluoroisobutylene (PFIB) and isocyanates. All these compounds can lead to toxic pulmonary oedema at the alveolar level. In addition, there are many respiratory irritant agents which cause effects on the upper airways such as ammonia and hydrogen chloride and agents such as sulphur dioxide and toluene diisocyanate which cause severe bronchoconstriction. 

Lung-damaging agents (initial irritating actions) e.g. chlorine, phosgene, hydrogen cyanide... 

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