phosgene

noun

phos·​gene ˈfäz-ˌjēn 

: a colorless gas COCl₂ of unpleasant odor that is a severe respiratory irritant that has been used in chemical warfare

Examples of phosgene in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

But that was already made clear when the EPA advised officials on scene that phosgene — which was used as a chemical weapon in World War I — and hydrogen chloride would likely be created when vinyl chloride is burned and warned the public about that possibility. —Josh Funk, Fortune, 3 Apr. 2024

Of those, the vinyl chloride gas that caught fire could break down into compounds including hydrogen chloride and phosgene, a chemical weapon used during World War I as a choking agent, according to the EPA and the CDC. —Aya Elamroussi, CNN, 17 Feb. 2023

Burning vinyl chloride creates the toxic gas phosgene and hydrogen chloride. —Quinlan Bentley, The Enquirer, 6 Mar. 2024

Vinyl chloride, a colorless gas used to make the hard plastic resin found in products like credit cards, is a carcinogen, and burning it releases phosgene, a toxic gas that was used as a weapon during World War I, and hydrogen chloride into the air. —Haadiza Ogwude, The Enquirer, 17 Feb. 2023

After the detonation, crews checked the air for chemicals of concern, including phosgene and hydrogen chloride, as well as butyl acrylate, ethylene glycol monobutyl ether acetate, and 2-ethylhexyl acrylate, according to the EPA, and reported that the data was normal. —Nouran Salahieh, CNN, 20 Feb. 2023

Also released in liquid form were 667 pounds of chlorobenzene, 3 pounds of hydrochloric acid, 292 pounds of MDI and 21 pounds of phosgene. —Mark Schleifstein, NOLA.com, 3 Jan. 2021

After the fire was extinguished on February 8, the threat of vinyl chloride fire producing phosgene and hydrogen chloride no longer exists. —Alisha Ebrahimji, CNN, 23 Feb. 2023

The breach sent hydrogen chloride – a gas that can irritate the eyes, skin and nose – and toxic phosgene gas into the air. —Sudiksha Kochi, USA TODAY, 19 Feb. 2023

Word History

Etymology

Greek phōs light + -genēs born, produced — more at fancy, -gen; from its originally having been obtained by the action of sunlight

First Known Use

1812, in the meaning defined above

Medical Definition

phosgene

noun

phos·​gene ˈfäz-ˌjēn 

: a colorless gas COCl₂ of unpleasant odor that is a severe respiratory irritant and has been used in chemical warfare