Program Area
Chemical Safety Hazard Alert - Phosgene Generated from Chloroform
Program Area |
Homepage |
Contacts
Title: YELLOW - Phosgene Generated from Chloroform
Identifier: INEEL Lessons Learned # 98247
Date: May 25,1998
Lessons Learned Statement:
Phosgene can be generated from chloroform. Chloroform stabilized with
alcohol should be purchased, and the chemical should be treated as
time-sensitive. An industrial hygienist should be contacted before using a
container of chloroform that is six months old or older.
Discussion of Activities:
Researchers at the University of California, Los Angeles were using a
three-year-old bottle of chloroform. They noticed that the people working
with the chloroform were becoming quite ill. Subsequent analysis showed
concentrations of 15,000 ppm of phosgene in the head space of the bottle and
a 1.1% concentration of phosgene in the bulk solution. Exposure to 20 ppm
for 1-2 minutes can cause severe lung injury and 570 ppm for 1 minute can
cause death. The chloroform was stored properly and was stabilized with
amylene. (Note: Chloroform comes in three basic varieties: a) no stabilizer
present, b) stabilized with amylene, and c) stabilized with an alcohol such
as ethanol.)
A search of the literature has shown that the generation of phosgene from
chloroform was a well-known phenomenon 50-100 years ago when chloroform was
used as an anesthetic. Evidently, the generation of phosgene from chloroform
has since been forgotten since there are no warnings on material safety data
sheets for chloroform, including chloroform that has not been stabilized.
Recommended Actions:
1. Unless program requirements prohibit it, chloroform that is stabilized
with alcohol should be purchased in the future. Alcohol is usually added in
greater concentrations than amylene so it provides better protection from
phosgene generation. Also, there is evidence that amylene may not prevent
phosgene generation.
2. Chloroform should be treated as a time-sensitive chemical. This is
especially true of chloroform that is either not stabilized or is stabilized
with amylene.
3. An industrial hygienist should be contacted before using a container of
chloroform that is six months old or older so that they can test for the
presence of phosgene.
Originator: Occupational Safety, Lockheed Martin Idaho Technologies Company
Contact: Dave Quigley, (208) 526-0046
Authorized Derivative Classifier: Dale Claflin, (208) 526-1199
Reviewing Official: Dale Claflin, (208) 526-1199
Functional Categories (DOE): Occupational Safety and Health, Safety
Functional Categories (User-Defined): Occupational Safety and Health
Key Word(s): chloroform, phosgene, amylene
References: Chemical & Engineering News, March 2, 1998
Follow-up Action: Information in this report is accurate to the best of our
knowledge. As a means of measuring the effectiveness of this report, please
notify Terry Pierce at (208) 526-4288 (or by electronic mail at txp@inel.gov)
or the INEEL Lessons Learned Program Office at (208) 526-1530 (e-mail at mae@inel.gov
or lmitll@inel.gov) of any action taken as a result of this report or of any
technical inaccuracies you find. Your feedback is important and appreciated.
Last Modified: February 1, 2008
Please forward all questions about this site to:
SHSD Admin
|
