Early diagnosis of phosgene overexposure.

At the present time, the following parameters can be recommended for "early diagnosis" of phosgene overexposure: Phosgene indicator paper badges, to be worn by all persons involved in handling phosgene (these badges permit immediate estimation of the exposure dose in each individual case); Observation of the initial irritative symptoms of the eye and the upper respiratory tract after phosgene inhalation can provide a rough indication of the inhalation concentration and dose; X-ray photographs of the lungs make it possible to detect incipient toxic pulmonary edema at an early stage, during the clinical latent period. A number of additional parameters require further critical investigation.