UN/NA Number Reference
DOT Class 2.3 Toxic Gas placard

UN 1076: Phosgene

49 CFR 172.101 Hazardous Materials Table·ERG 2024

DOT Classification and Shipping

UN 1076 is assigned the proper shipping name Phosgene in the U.S. DOT Hazardous Materials Table (49 CFR 172.101). It is classified as a Class 2.3 Toxic Gas material. Required label(s): 2.3, 8.

Packing group indicates the degree of danger within a hazard class: PG I is high danger, PG II medium, PG III low. The proper shipping name, hazard class, UN number, and packing group together form the basic shipping description that must appear on shipping papers and, where required, on the package and placard.

Emergency Response (ERG Guide 125)

Hazards: TOXIC. Corrosive. Causes burns. May be fatal if inhaled. Vapors heavier than air.

Fire: Use water spray or fog. Do not get water inside containers.

Spill: Fully encapsulating suit required. Stop leak if safe. Use water spray.

Chemical and Physical Properties

Phosgene appears as a chemical warfare choking agent. Extremely toxic. A colorless gas or very low-boiling, volatile liquid with an odor of new-mown hay or green corn. Warning properties of the gas inhaled are slight, death may occur within 36 hours (Lewis, 3rd ed., 1993, p. 1027). Prolonged exposure of the containers to intense heat may result in their violent rupturing and rocketing. Rate of onset: Immediate & Delayed (Lungs) Persistence: Minutes - hours Odor threshold: 0.5 ppm Source/use/other hazard: Dye, pesticide, and other industries; history as war gas, corrosive/irritating.

CAS Number: 75-44-5
Molecular Formula: CCl2O
Molecular Weight: 98.91 g/mol
Color / Form: Colorless gas [Note: A fuming liquid below 47 degrees F. Shipped as a liquefied compressed gas].
Odor: Suffocating odor; when diluted with air there is an odor reminiscent of moldy hay
Boiling Point: 47 F
Melting Point: -180 °F (EPA, 1998)
Autoignition: Not flammable (USCG, 1999)
Specific Gravity: 1.432 (sinks in water)
Vapor Pressure: 1215 mmHg at 68 F
Vapor Density: 3.4 (heavier than air)
Water Solubility: Very slightly soluble

Regulatory Data

CERCLA RQ (40 CFR 302.4)
10 lb
EPCRA TPQ (40 CFR 355)
10 lb
OSHA PEL
TWA 0.1 ppm (0.4 mg/m 3 )
NIOSH REL
TWA 0.1 ppm (0.4 mg/m 3 ) C 0.2 ppm (0.8 mg/m 3 ) [15-minute]
IDLH
2 ppm
RCRA Waste Code(s)
[object Object]

A release of this material at or above its CERCLA reportable quantity (10 lb) requires immediate notification to the National Response Center at 800-424-8802.

Special Provisions

49 CFR 172.102 special provision codes for this entry: 1, B7, B46, N86. These codes modify the general requirements (packaging, quantity limits, exceptions) for this specific material. Look up each code in 49 CFR 172.102 for the full text.

Need the full interactive record? Open UN 1076 in the SpillNerd lookup tool for the live database entry with placard graphics, GHS pictograms, full segregation tables, and synonym search. For another material, use the UN number and chemical lookup.

Reference data compiled from the DOT Hazardous Materials Table (49 CFR 172.101), the 2024 Emergency Response Guidebook, and public chemical databases (PubChem, NIOSH, EPA). Always verify the correct shipping description against the current regulation and the manufacturer's SDS Section 14 before shipping.