Phosgene laser cleaning visualization showing process effects
Ikmanda Roswati
Ikmanda RoswatiPh.D.Indonesia
Ultrafast Laser Physics and Material Interactions
Published
Jan 6, 2026

Phosgene Compound

Phosgene Compound safety information for laser cleaning. Health hazards, exposure limits, and protective equipment requirements.

Chemical Properties

Chemical Identity

CAS Number
75-44-5
Formula
COCl₂
Molecular Weight
98.92 g/mol

Exposure Limits Comparison

Health Effects

Severe Pulmonary Edema
Yes
Delayed Effects
Yes
Fatal
Yes
Chemical Warfare Agent
Yes
Detection Monitoring
SensorTypes
  • Electrochemical
  • Infrared
  • Photoionization
  • Colorimetric badges
DetectionRange
0-1 ppm (must detect sub-ppm)
AlarmSetpoints
Low
0.1 ppm (OSHA PEL/NIOSH REL)
High
0.2 ppm (NIOSH STEL)
Evacuate
2 ppm (NIOSH IDLH) - IMMEDIATELY LIFE-THREATENING
ColorimetricTubes
  • Dräger Phosgene 0.02/a
  • Gastec 14L
AnalyticalMethods
MethodTechniqueDetectionLimit
NIOSH 6371GC with electron capture detector0.002 ppm
OSHA Method 61GC0.005 ppm
OdorThreshold
0.4-1.5 ppm - UNRELIABLE. Odor threshold ABOVE safe exposure limits. NEVER rely on odor. MANDATORY continuous monitoring.
Environmental Impact
AquaticToxicity
Extremely toxic but rapidly hydrolyzes to HCl and CO2 in water. Environmental impact primarily from hydrolysis products.
Biodegradability
Not biodegradable. Hydrolyzes rapidly to CO2 and HCl.
Bioaccumulation
Does not bioaccumulate.
SoilMobility
High mobility as gas. Hydrolyzes on contact with soil moisture.
AtmosphericFate
Photolyzes and hydrolyzes. Atmospheric half-life: hours. Forms HCl with water vapor.
OzoneDepletion
false
ReportableReleases
Water
10 lbs - IMMEDIATELY reportable
Air
10 lbs/day - IMMEDIATELY reportable due to extreme toxicity
Ppe Requirements
Respiratory
MANDATORY: Full-face pressure-demand SCBA or positive-pressure supplied-air respirator. No air-purifying respirators approved - extremely toxic.
Eye Protection
Chemical safety goggles and full face shield
Skin Protection
Butyl rubber or neoprene gloves, fully-encapsulating chemical protective suit for gas contact.
Reactivity
Stability
Stable when dry. Hydrolyzes slowly in moist air. Rapidly in water.
Polymerization
Will not polymerize
IncompatibleMaterials
  • Water
  • Moisture
  • Alcohols
  • Ammonia
  • Amines
  • Active metals (Al, Na, K)
  • Metal powders
  • Bases
HazardousDecomposition
  • Hydrogen chloride
  • Carbon monoxide
  • Carbon dioxide
  • Chlorine
ConditionsToAvoid
  • Heat
  • Moisture
  • Water
  • Incompatible materials
  • Sunlight (promotes decomposition)
ReactivityHazard
Hydrolyzes with water forming hydrochloric acid (corrosive). Reacts violently with active metals. May explode on contact with aluminum powder.
Regulatory Classification
UnNumber
UN1076
DotHazardClass
2.3 (Toxic gas), 8 (Corrosive)
DotLabel
Poison Gas, Corrosive
NfpaCodes
Health
4
Flammability
0
Reactivity
1
Instability
0
EpaHazardCategories
  • Acute toxicity (fatal if inhaled)
  • Corrosive
  • Specific target organ toxicity
SaraTitleIii
true
CerclaRq
10 pounds (4.54 kg)
RcraCode
P095

Contaminants That Produce Phosgene

Phosgene is produced as a gaseous or particulate byproduct during laser ablation of contaminated surfaces. The generation rate and chemical form depend on the source contaminant and substrate combination. Proper exhaust ventilation and gas monitoring ensure safe working concentrations in laser cleaning enclosures.
No metadata available

Degraded Polymer Deposits

Chemical Properties

Molecular formula, CAS number, molecular weight, and chemical structure
Type
chemical_properties
Id
phosgene-physical-data

Physical Properties

Chemical and physical characteristics
BoilingPoint
8.2°C (46.8°F)
MeltingPoint
-118°C (-180°F)
VaporPressure
1173 mmHg @ 20°C
VaporDensity
3.4 (Air=1)
SpecificGravity
1.37 (liquid @ 20°C)
FlashPoint
Not applicable (non-flammable)
AutoignitionTemp
Not applicable
ExplosiveLimits
Not applicable
Appearance
Colorless gas or fuming liquid
Odor
Musty hay or freshly cut grass odor @ 0.4-1.5 ppm - WARNING: Odor threshold ABOVE safe levels

Alternative Names

Synonyms and chemical identifiers
Synonyms
  • Carbonyl chloride
  • Carbon oxychloride
  • Carbonyl dichloride
  • COCl2
CommonTradeNames
    OtherIdentifiers
    RtecsNumber
    SY5600000
    EcNumber
    200-870-3
    PubchemCid
    6371

    Health Effects

    Adverse health impacts from exposure to this compound
    Route
    inhalation
    Effect
    Pulmonary edema and respiratory tract irritation leading to choking and potential asphyxiation
    Severity
    severe
    Onset
    short-term
    Route
    skin_contact
    Effect
    Chemical burns and frostbite upon contact with liquid form
    Severity
    high
    Onset
    immediate
    Route
    eye_contact
    Effect
    Severe irritation, lacrimation, and corneal damage
    Severity
    high
    Onset
    immediate
    Route
    inhalation
    Effect
    Delayed onset of fluid accumulation in lungs, potentially fatal
    Severity
    severe
    Onset
    short-term

    Personal Protective Equipment

    Required safety equipment for handling this compound
    Respiratory
    MANDATORY: Full-face pressure-demand SCBA or positive-pressure supplied-air respirator. No air-purifying respirators approved - extremely toxic.
    Skin
    Butyl rubber or neoprene gloves, fully-encapsulating chemical protective suit for gas contact.
    Eye
    Chemical safety goggles and full face shield
    MinimumLevel
    Level A for unknown concentrations or >0.1 ppm, Level B minimum for known concentrations <0.1 ppm
    SpecialNotes
    ONE OF THE MOST TOXIC INDUSTRIAL CHEMICALS. Chemical warfare agent. Delayed pulmonary edema 2-48 hours post-exposure. SELF-RESCUE RESPIRATORS INADEQUATE - immediate SCBA required.

    Exposure Limits

    OSHA, NIOSH, and ACGIH exposure thresholds
    OshaPelPpm
    0.1
    OshaPelMgM3
    0.4
    NioshRelPpm
    0.1
    NioshRelMgM3
    0.4
    AcgihTlvPpm
    0.1
    AcgihTlvMgM3
    0.4
    WorkplaceExposure
    OshaPel
    twa8Hr: null
    stel15Min: null
    ceiling: 0.1 ppm
    NioshRel
    twa8Hr: null
    stel15Min: null
    ceiling: 0.1 ppm
    idlh: 2 ppm
    AcgihTlv
    twa8Hr: 0.1 ppm
    stel15Min: 0.2 ppm
    ceiling: null
    BiologicalExposureIndices

    Storage Requirements

    Safe storage conditions and compatibility
    TemperatureRange
    Store cylinders <52°C. Keep cool - above 8°C gas becomes liquid.
    Ventilation
    Outdoor storage STRONGLY PREFERRED. Indoor only with continuous mechanical ventilation, emergency backup, phosgene detection with REMOTE alarms.
    Incompatibilities
    • Moisture/water
    • Alcohols
    • Ammonia
    • Metal powders
    • Aluminum
    • Sodium
    • Potassium
    ContainerMaterial
    Steel cylinders only. Glass for laboratory quantities.
    Segregation
    ISOLATED storage. Separate from ALL other chemicals. Restricted area with multiple barriers.
    QuantityLimits
    MINIMIZE. Many jurisdictions prohibit or strictly limit quantities.
    SpecialRequirements
    CRITICAL: Phosgene detection system with remote monitoring and alarms MANDATORY. Post "CHEMICAL WARFARE AGENT - EXTREME DANGER" signs. Restricted access - authorized trained personnel only with buddy system. Emergency procedures and antidote protocol posted. Medical surveillance required. Notification to local emergency services REQUIRED.

    Emergency Response

    Procedures for spills, exposure, and incidents
    FireHazard
    Non-flammable. Cylinders may explode when heated. Decomposes in heat producing deadly gases.
    FireSuppression
    EVACUATE IMMEDIATELY. Extremely deadly decomposition products. Use unmanned equipment only. Water spray from maximum distance to cool cylinders.
    SpillProcedures
    EVACUATE LARGE AREA IMMEDIATELY. Call HAZMAT. SCBA MANDATORY. Extremely lethal at ppm levels. Neutralize with ammonia or caustic soda solution. Specialized cleanup required.
    ExposureImmediateActions
    MEDICAL EMERGENCY. Remove to fresh air immediately. Administer 100% oxygen. NO artificial respiration if breathing. Monitor for 48 hours - DELAYED PULMONARY EDEMA likely. Hospitalize immediately even if asymptomatic. Inform medical staff: phosgene exposure.
    EnvironmentalHazards
    Toxic to all life. Hydrolyzes to HCl and CO2 in water. Report ANY release immediately.
    SpecialHazards
    CHEMICAL WARFARE AGENT (WWI). EXTREMELY TOXIC. Delayed pulmonary edema 2-48 hours after asymptomatic period - sudden death possible. Odor warning INADEQUATE (threshold above safe levels). Hydrolyzes to hydrochloric acid in lungs. Death can occur hours after "feeling fine".

    Regulatory Classification

    DOT, UN, and NFPA hazard classifications
    UnNumber
    UN1076
    DotHazardClass
    2.3 (Toxic gas), 8 (Corrosive)
    DotLabel
    Poison Gas, Corrosive
    NfpaCodes
    Health
    4
    Flammability
    0
    Reactivity
    1
    Special
    null
    Instability
    0
    EpaHazardCategories
    • Acute toxicity (fatal if inhaled)
    • Corrosive
    • Specific target organ toxicity
    SaraTitleIii
    true
    CerclaRq
    10 pounds (4.54 kg)
    RcraCode
    P095

    Environmental Impact

    Toxicity, biodegradability, and environmental fate
    AquaticToxicity
    Extremely toxic but rapidly hydrolyzes to HCl and CO2 in water. Environmental impact primarily from hydrolysis products.
    Biodegradability
    Not biodegradable. Hydrolyzes rapidly to CO2 and HCl.
    Bioaccumulation
    Does not bioaccumulate.
    SoilMobility
    High mobility as gas. Hydrolyzes on contact with soil moisture.
    AtmosphericFate
    Photolyzes and hydrolyzes. Atmospheric half-life: hours. Forms HCl with water vapor.
    OzoneDepletion
    false
    ReportableReleases
    Water
    10 lbs - IMMEDIATELY reportable
    Air
    10 lbs/day - IMMEDIATELY reportable due to extreme toxicity

    FAQ

    Common Questions and Answers
    As a laser cleaning operator, what are the key exposure limits for phosgene (COCl₂) to stay safe during operations involving potentially chlorinated materials?
    The OSHA permissible exposure limit (PEL) for phosgene is 0.1 ppm as an 8-hour time-weighted average (TWA), with short-term exposure limits not exceeding 0.2 ppm for 15 minutes, and the immediately dangerous to life or health (IDLH) concentration is 2 ppm—always monitor levels below these thresholds using calibrated gas detectors. In laser cleaning, where phosgene may form from ablating plastics like PVC, maintain ventilation to keep concentrations under 0.1 ppm and evacuate if levels approach 2 ppm. If exposure is suspected, seek immediate medical attention, as symptoms like chest tightness may be delayed up to 48 hours.

    Detection & Monitoring

    Methods for detecting and measuring this compound
    SensorTypes
    • Electrochemical
    • Infrared
    • Photoionization
    • Colorimetric badges
    DetectionRange
    0-1 ppm (must detect sub-ppm)
    AlarmSetpoints
    Low
    0.1 ppm (OSHA PEL/NIOSH REL)
    High
    0.2 ppm (NIOSH STEL)
    Evacuate
    2 ppm (NIOSH IDLH) - IMMEDIATELY LIFE-THREATENING
    ColorimetricTubes
    • Dräger Phosgene 0.02/a
    • Gastec 14L
    AnalyticalMethods
    • [object Object]
    • [object Object]
    OdorThreshold
    0.4-1.5 ppm - UNRELIABLE. Odor threshold ABOVE safe exposure limits. NEVER rely on odor. MANDATORY continuous monitoring.

    Reactivity

    Chemical reactivity and incompatibilities
    Stability
    Stable when dry. Hydrolyzes slowly in moist air. Rapidly in water.
    Polymerization
    Will not polymerize
    IncompatibleMaterials
    • Water
    • Moisture
    • Alcohols
    • Ammonia
    • Amines
    • Active metals (Al, Na, K)
    • Metal powders
    • Bases
    HazardousDecomposition
    • Hydrogen chloride
    • Carbon monoxide
    • Carbon dioxide
    • Chlorine
    ConditionsToAvoid
    • Heat
    • Moisture
    • Water
    • Incompatible materials
    • Sunlight (promotes decomposition)
    ReactivityHazard
    Hydrolyzes with water forming hydrochloric acid (corrosive). Reacts violently with active metals. May explode on contact with aluminum powder.

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