Phosgene Indicator Badge MEDIC

Phosgene is gaseous at normal temperatures and is considered to be very harmful to health. This gas has a very bad reputation because it was used in World War I together with chlorine as combat gas. Many of us have terrible pictures of burned soldiers in our heads when the word phosgene is mentioned.

Nowadays phosgene is an important raw material in the chemical industry. It is no exaggeration to say that our current lifestyle would be inconceivable without materials that require phosgenation to be produced. Just to mention a few examples: numerous drugs, polyurethanes (foams, adhesives, paints, insulating materials, upholstery) and polycarbonates (CDs, mechanical car body parts, controls, housings).

It goes without saying that the highest safety standards apply in the production and use of phosgene. Phosgene plants are monitored around the clock by highly sensitive measuring devices, so that even the tiniest leakage is detected before anyone can be harmed.

Personnel must be monitored for total exposure, in order to give the therapist accurate information which kind of therapy is appropriate.

Despite all these safety precautions, no one can completely rule out the possibility that someone might have been exposed. Even this is still no leg break, since phosgene intoxication can be treated – provided the treating physician has exact information about the total exposure of the person.

A phosgene intoxication may be insidious, because it does not cause any immediate symptoms compared to all other toxic gases. Therefore, there is a risk that an employee who has experienced an exposure might not be treated adequately, or might even be overtreated. The doctor must therefore know the total dose taken = concentration * time in order to decide on the right therapy.

The Compur indicator badge MEDIC shows the total exposure exactly. It turns darker red the higher the total exposure. The sticker is compared with a colour standard on which the exact total dose concentration * time in ppm * min can be read. With this tool – provided with the name of the user – the physician has all necessary information at hand in order to provide the exposed employee with the optimal treatment if necessary.