can phosgene gas cause lung cancer?

Answer 1

I suppose in low concentrations it could be mutagenic or carcinogenic. In high concentrations it will certainly kill you deader than a doornail!

Answer 2

Phosgene gas ( carbonyl chloride ) is th prototypical lung agent. As a military agent, phosgene was first used during World War I and today can be found in numerous industrial applications.Because of its high volatility, phosgene formps a gas readily. It is not absorbed through the skin, but when inhaled, it causes toxicity. After inhalation, phosgeneis deposited in the peripheral airways. Subsequent damage to the alveolar-capillary membrane will occur, resulting in pulmonary edema.
Phosgene may also interact with mucous membranes, causing local irritation.
In significant exposures, early death may occur secondary to laryngeal spasm. Despite of early effects, most of the toxicity of phosgene exposure is delayed.
Eventually the atient may develop symptoms and signs consistent with pulmonary edema, including dyspnea, hypoxia, chest pain and cough. In some cases pulmonary edema may be severe enough to cause hypotension. The degree to which each patient is affected depends on the severity of exposure. In severe exposure, death may occur.
No clinical test exists for the diagnosis of phosgene exposure.
No specific decontamination is required except removing the patient from the phosgene gas.
(From Current Emergency Diagnosis and Treatment)

( From Harrison ‘s Internal Medicine- Occupational exposures and Pulmonary Diseases)
Table 258-3 Selected common toxic chemical agents affecting the lung
Agent: Phosgene
Selected exposure : Organic compound, metallurgy, volatilization of chlorine -containing compounds
Acute effects from high or accidental exposure: Delayed bronchiolitis and pulmonary edema
Chronic effect from relatively low exposure; Chronic bronchitis.

I could not find in this very good quality medical resources the evidence that phosgene gas may directly induce lung cancer.
If you want further information, or access to more specific sources
I found no direct relation between phosgene exposure and lung cancer. Nevertheless Chronic bronchitis is already a life treatening disease incapacitating in a long term. I could not find a relation between chronic bronchitis and cancer, eventhough is possible.

If you want more specific information - that request a lot of time to go through - go to Cancer or the website of the American Asociation of Cancer and there go for the potential risico factors for lung cancer. There you might find some more specifical studies related with the phosgene gas or related with its chronic effect, chronic bronchitis.
I hope this information might be helpful for you.
Fro, MD

Answer 3

not that has ever been reported.