Chemical Agents of Opportunity for Terrorism: TICs & TIMs

Chemical Agents of Opportunity for Terrorism
Training Support Package
Participant Guide
Slide 37
Chemical Agents of Opportunity for Terrorism:
TICs & TIMs
Phosgene: Cl 2 C=O
• Used in the manufacture of
– Organic chemicals: dyestuffs, isocyanates
– Plastics
– Insecticides
– Pharmaceuticals
• 80% used for isocyanate production
• US production: estimated 1 million tons/year
• Also formed as a combustion product when chlorine -
containing compounds are burned
Module One – Toxic Industrial Gases as Terrorist Threats
37
Phosgene is a common chemical intermediate used in the manufacture of organic
chemicals (dyestuffs, isocyanates), plastics and polyurethanes, insecticides, and
pharmaceuticals. 80% of phosgene production is used for isocyanate manufacture.
Phosgene is also a combustion product, potentially produced anytime a chlorinated
product (e.g. plastic) is burned.
A chlorinated compound as used here is a hydrocarbon with chlorine substitution(s).
Many of these compounds are heavily used in industry. When burned, such chlorinated
compounds as methylene chloride and chloroform release phosgene.
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