Low-Cost, Reliable Phosgene Sensor

Project Summary Phosgene is essential to the manufacturing of products used in everyday life such as flexible foamsthermoplastic polyurethaneand sealants and elastomersIt is also a building block for many plasticspesticidesand pharmaceuticalsHoweverat room temperature phosgene is an extremely toxiccolorless gas exposure can cause immediate symptoms of eye and skin irritationand symptoms of respiratory distress such as coughingtightness in the chestdifficulty breathingpneumoniaor heart failure that may not manifest untilhours after exposureThereforephosgene producing facilities need large phosgene detectors for wide area monitoring as well as phosgene indicator badges for monitoring individualsElectrochemical detectors perform real time monitoring with audio alarms for phosgene exposurebut they are expensive and can only be installed in limited locationsThe wearable colorimetric indicator badge is the standard means of monitoring individualsIt indicates the presence of phosgene by changing colorbut the worker must constantly be looking at the badge to ensure safety since the badge does not actively alert the user of dangerIntelligent Optical SystemsIncIOSproposes to develop a reliablelow cost wearable phosgene sensor for individuals that will revolutionize how colorimetric phosgene gas badges protect workers by integrating the sensor into the workerandapos s safety gogglesso a colorimetric change reflecting the detection of phosgene in the environment will be immediately apparent to the user Project Narrative The objective of this work is to develop a low cost and reliable sensor to monitor phosgene in the workplaceeffectively improving the safety of working conditions