Phosgene

Phosgene (also known as carbonyl chloride, COCl2) is a highly toxic gas or refrigerated liquid that was used as a chemical weapon in World War I. It has no color, but is detectable in air by its odor, which resembles moldy hay.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

It is a manufactured chemical, but small amounts occur naturally from the breakdown of chlorinated compounds.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Phosgene can also result from the combustion of chlorine-containing organic compounds.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Phosgene is a particularly insidious poison, as phosgene exposure often has no initial symptoms. Symptoms usually appear within 24 hours, but can take up to 72 hours to manifest.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

The gas combines with water in the tissues of the respiratory tract to form carbon dioxide and hydrochloric acid. The acid then dissolves the membranes in the lungs.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Fluid fills the lungs, and death results from a combination of blood loss, shock, and respiratory failure. Unlike nerve agents, phosgene must be inhaled to cause harm and cannot be absorbed through the skin.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Toxic: REDIRECT Toxicity...

Chemical weapon: REDIRECT Chemical warfare...

Hay: Hay is dried grass (and pasture flowers) used to feed domestic animals...