I wrote, earlier:
><< Phosgene smells something like concentrated rotten apples, and HF smells
>pungent (bites your nose and throat). Fortunately both are noticeable
>enough in low concentrations that you can get out without harm. >>
>
W8AV replied:
>Remember Guys, Phosgene is a nerve gas. DO NOT play with it. I still
>remember the case where someone in my college chem lab accidently synthesized
>some of the stuff during a lab experiment. She nearly died before we could
>get her out. Take it from a chem major, DON'T TRY MAKING ANY! The stuff is
>really nasty.
Yes indeed - but it's only half the story. It is equally important to
inform people that smelling a faint trace of phosgene is a warning, not
a death sentence.
I've seen someone go into shock, precisely because he didn't have that
information. The faint smell of phosgene didn't harm him - but terror
did.
Take it from a chem PhD with wide experience of handling toxic gases
safely: you can't create real safety out of unreasoning fear.
73 from Ian G3SEK Editor, 'The VHF/UHF DX Book'
'In Practice' columnist for RadCom (RSGB)
http://www.ifwtech.demon.co.uk/g3sek
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