Product name: Phosphine
Chemical formula: PH3
Synonyms: Hydrogen phosphide, phosphane, phosphorus trihydride
CAS Number: 7803-51-2
Recommended uses: Fumigant for stored grains, semiconductor manufacturing, chemical synthesis
Supplier contact: Refer to local distributor or manufacturer for emergency and information numbers
Emergency telephone: Local poison control, fire department, or supplied emergency hotline
Hazard classification: Extremely flammable gas, acute toxicity (inhalation, oral), hazardous to aquatic life
Signal word: Danger
Hazard statements: Fatal if inhaled, forms explosive mixtures with air, toxic to humans and animals
Pictograms: Skull and crossbones, flame
Precautionary statements: Avoid breathing gas, keep away from heat/sparks/open flames, use only outdoors or in well-ventilated areas, avoid release to the environment
Chemical name: Phosphine
CAS: 7803-51-2
Concentration: 100% (pure gas)
Impurities: Commercial phosphine may contain traces of diphosphane or other hydrides
Additives: None typically present in pure form
Mixtures: Some formulations exist with carrier gases for fumigation use (verify label for mixture ratio)
Inhalation: Remove person to fresh air as quickly as possible, keep at rest, seek emergency medical attention, start CPR if breathing has stopped
Skin contact: Take off contaminated clothing, rinse with plenty of running water, get medical help for burns or irritation
Eye contact: Rinse eyes carefully with water for 15 minutes or longer, do not rub, call emergency services
Ingestion: Very unlikely due to gaseous state, but for any suspected poisoning, provide supportive care and medical assistance
Symptoms: May include headache, dizziness, coughing, chest tightness, nausea, abdominal pain, convulsions, severe respiratory distress
Advice to medical responders: Offer oxygen if available, do not use mouth-to-mouth respiration, monitor for delayed pulmonary edema or liver and kidney damage
Suitable extinguishing media: Use dry powder, carbon dioxide, or sand for small fires only when safe, otherwise isolate area and allow gas to burn under controlled conditions
Hazards during fire: Phosphine ignites easily and burns with an invisible flame, explosion risk in confined spaces, toxic phosphorus oxides may form
Protective equipment: Full-face self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA), flame-resistant clothing, gloves
Firefighting advice: Evacuate area, cool tanks with water spray from safe distance, avoid inhaling smoke or combustion products
Personal precautions: Evacuate affected area, restrict access, use SCBA and gas-tight chemical-resistant suits
Environmental precautions: Prevent gas from entering drains, soil, or waterways
Containment/Clean-up methods: Stop leak only if safe, ventilate area thoroughly, use spark-proof tools, monitor gas concentrations, neutralize by dilution or absorption with approved scrubbers
Reporting: Notify emergency authorities and follow local hazardous release protocols
Handling recommendations: Work in a ventilated fume hood or gas cabinet, ground and bond containers, keep away from static discharges, sparks, hot surfaces, or open flames
Storage: Store cylinders upright in a designated flammable gas area, out of direct sunlight and away from incompatible chemicals (oxidizers, strong acids), keep tightly closed and clearly labeled
Special conditions: Use only with approved regulators and piping, routinely check for leaks, ensure proper signage and access control
Incompatibilities: Avoid contact with halogens, oxidizers, acids, and alkali metals
Occupational exposure limits: OSHA PEL: 0.3 ppm (TWA), ACGIH TLV: 0.3 ppm (TWA)
Engineering controls: Use explosion-proof exhaust ventilation systems, gas detectors and monitors for continuous atmosphere monitoring, local exhaust near potential release points
Protection for workers: Full facepiece respirator with approved cartridges, chemical-resistant gloves and suit, eye and face shield, anti-static footwear
Hygiene: Wash thoroughly after handling, do not eat, drink, or smoke in work areas, remove contaminated clothing promptly
Monitoring: Install and maintain real-time gas detection alarms in storage and work areas
Appearance: Colorless, flammable gas, may have a garlic or decaying fish odor at low concentrations due to impurities
Odor threshold: 0.03–0.2 ppm (odor is unreliable as a warning sign)
Boiling point: –87.7°C (–125.9°F)
Melting point: –132.8°C (–207.0°F)
Vapor pressure: High at ambient temperature
Solubility: Slightly soluble in water, more soluble in organic solvents
Density: 1.52 g/L at 0°C (heavier than air)
Flammability range: 1.79–98% in air
Autoignition temperature: 38°C (100°F)
Molecular weight: 33.997 g/mol
Chemical stability: Phosphine remains stable under most ambient storage conditions with good ventilation; readily decomposes at higher temperatures or under light
Hazardous reactions: Spontaneous ignition in contact with air, reacts vigorously with oxidizers and halogens, forms toxic and explosive compounds with many metals
Decomposition products: Phosphorus oxides, possibly hydrogen, highly toxic fumes
Conditions to avoid: Heat, sparks, open flames, static buildup, direct sunlight, incompatible chemicals
Polymerization: Does not polymerize
Acute toxicity: Lethal at very low concentrations (LC50 rats: 11 ppm/1 hr), severe lung, liver, and kidney damage, central nervous system effects
Chronic effects: Prolonged or repeated exposure can cause bronchitis, anemia, bone marrow suppression
Routes of exposure: Inhalation is the principal route, skin absorption and eye contact less common but can cause irritation or burns
Delayed effects: Pulmonary edema, convulsions, coma, death from respiratory failure or multi-organ damage
Carcinogenicity: No conclusive evidence for cancer risk in humans
Other health hazards: Renal and hepatic toxicity, reproductive effects not fully studied
Ecotoxicity: Highly toxic to aquatic organisms at low concentrations; rapid dissipation in atmosphere limits long-term effects
Environmental persistence: Short atmospheric lifetime (days), breaks down via reaction with atmospheric radicals, little potential for bioaccumulation
Behavior in environment: Volatilizes rapidly, unlikely to contaminate soil or water for extended periods
Degradation: Quickly oxidizes to phosphorus oxides which may acidify water or soil
Impact on wildlife: Fumigation has killed non-target birds and mammals in enclosed spaces
Disposal methods: Burn phosphine under controlled conditions in incinerator equipped for toxic gas, vent to atmosphere through scrubber system—or return unused cylinders to supplier for expert decontamination and reuse
Special precautions: Never puncture or incinerate gas cylinders, only trained personnel should dispose of chemicals, follow all local and national hazardous waste regulations
Residual risks: Small leaks require specialized neutralization with chlorine-free oxidizers or activated carbon traps
UN Number: 2199
Proper shipping name: Phosphine, compressed
Hazard class: 2.3 (Toxic gas), 2.1 (Flammable gas)
Packing group: I (high danger)
Transport label: Toxic Gas, Flammable Gas
Special transport notes: Cylinders must be secured in upright position, kept away from heat, labeled for emergency response, handled only by trained professionals with hazardous materials certification
OSHA status: Regulated as hazardous under OSHA chemical standards
EPA status: Listed as hazardous air pollutant (HAP), subject to community right-to-know requirements
RCRA status: Phosphine waste falls under hazardous waste code U147
SARA Title III: Subject to emergency planning (Section 302), reportable quantity (Section 304), and inventory reporting (Section 311/312)
Other regulations: Listed in TSCA Inventory, requirements for international shipping under IMO and IATA dangerous goods codes; always check for the latest regional compliance requirements
