First Aid and Medical Treatment - American Chemistry Council

Medical Treatment: Decision Tree and Safe Practice Guidelines for Medical Professionals

The Phosgene Medical Task Group consisting of physicians from industry with input from academia and public health agencies developed these guidelines to help better assess, support, and treat workers who may be exposure to phosgene.

These documents are intended to assist persons already sophisticated and experienced in first aid and medical treatment of phosgene exposure. They are intended to assist such readers in their understanding of various options related to first aid and treatment. It is intended that the documents will facilitate in-depth dialog and analysis concerning the issues presented.

Fast Facts

Medical evaluation and treatment is dependent on type and level of exposure.
Subjective Effects – Such as headache, nausea and anxiety; believed to be due to the person experiencing the event and not a direct effect of the chemical. Treatment generally symptomatic.
Irritant Effects – Dictated by concentration of exposure, measured in ppm. May include such symptoms as irritation of the mucous membranes and upper airway; generally present immediately after the exposure and usually resolve relatively quickly. Treatment generally symptomatic.
Pulmonary Effects – Dictated by exposure level, measured in ppm-min. May include symptoms consistent with pulmonary edema. These symptoms are latent (delayed), starting hours after exposure and are related primarily to the exposure dose.
Prolonged respiratory effects are not expected after phosgene exposures less than 150 ppm-min