PHOSPHINE
The
Chemical Identifier fields
include common identification numbers, the
NFPA diamond
U.S. Department of Transportation hazard labels, and a general
description of the chemical. The information in CAMEO Chemicals comes
from a variety of
data sources.
CAS Number | UN/NA Number |
---|---|
|
|
DOT Hazard Label | USCG CHRIS Code |
|
none |
NIOSH Pocket Guide | International Chem Safety Card |
Phosphine |
NFPA 704
Diamond | Hazard | Value | Description | |||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Health | 4 | Can be lethal. | |||||||||
Flammability | 4 | Burns readily. Rapidly or completely vaporizes at atmospheric pressure and normal ambient temperature. | ||||||||||
Instability | 2 | Readily undergoes violent chemical changes at elevated temperatures and pressures. | ||||||||||
Special |
(NFPA, 2010)
General Description
A colorless gas with a disagreeable odor of fish or garlic. Boiling point -126°F; freezing point -209°F. Very toxic by inhalation at extremely low concentrations. Prolonged heating may cause containers to rupture violently and rocket.
Rate of onset: Immediate & Delayed (Lungs)
Persistence: Minutes - hours
Odor threshold: 0.9 ppm
Source/use/other hazard: Insecticide; used in manufacture of flame retardants and incendiaries.
Rate of onset: Immediate & Delayed (Lungs)
Persistence: Minutes - hours
Odor threshold: 0.9 ppm
Source/use/other hazard: Insecticide; used in manufacture of flame retardants and incendiaries.
The
Hazard fields
include
special hazard alerts
air and water
reactions, fire hazards, health hazards, a reactivity profile, and
details about
reactive groups assignments
and
potentially incompatible absorbents.
The information in CAMEO Chemicals comes from a variety of
data sources.
Reactivity Alerts
- Strong Reducing Agent
- Pyrophoric
Air & Water Reactions
Highly flammable. Usually ignites spontaneously in air. Burns with a luminous flame [Merck 11th ed. 1989]. Insoluble in water.
Fire Hazard
Phosphine can explode with powerful oxidizers. The gas is heavier than air and may travel along the ground to an ignition source. Container may explode in heat of fire. When heated to decomposition, it emits highly toxic fumes of phosphorus oxides. Reacts violently with: air; boron trichloride; bromine; chlorine; chlorine monoxide; nitric acid; nitric oxide; nitrous oxide; nitrogen trioxide; silver nitrate; nitrous acid; mercuric nitrate; nitrogen trichloride; oxygen; and (potassium plus ammonia). Stable up to 131F. May become unstable at high temperatures. (EPA, 1998)
Health Hazard
Phosphine is a super- toxic gas with a probable oral lethal dose of 5 mg/kg or 7 drops for a 150 pound person. An air concentration of 3 ppm is safe for long term exposure, 500 ppm is lethal in 30 minutes, and a concentration of 1,000 ppm is lethal after a few breaths. (EPA, 1998)
Reactivity Profile
PHOSPHINE is a reducing agent. Ignites spontaneously in air when pure [Sidgwick, 1950, p. 729]. Liquefied phosphine can be detonated [Rust, 1948, p. 301]. Ignites or reacts violently with boron trichloride, dichlorine oxide, halogens (bromine, chlorine, iodine), metal nitrates, nitrogen oxides, nitric acid, nitrous acid, nitrogen trichloride [Bretherick, 5th ed., 1995, p. 1562]. Forms explosive mixtures with even small amounts of oxygen. Autoignites at low pressures [Fisher, E. O. et al., Angew. Chem., 1968, 7, p. 136].
Belongs to the Following Reactive Group(s)
Potentially Incompatible Absorbents
Use caution: Liquids with this reactive group classification have been known to react with the absorbent listed below. More info about absorbents, including situations to watch out for...
- Mineral-Based & Clay-Based Absorbents
The
Response Recommendation fields
include isolation and evacuation distances, as well as recommendations for
firefighting, non-fire response, protective clothing, and first aid. The
information in CAMEO Chemicals comes from a variety of
data sources.
Isolation and Evacuation
Excerpt from ERG Guide 119 [Gases - Toxic - Flammable]:
IMMEDIATE PRECAUTIONARY MEASURE: Isolate spill or leak area for at least 100 meters (330 feet) in all directions.
SPILL: See ERG Table 1 - Initial Isolation and Protective Action Distances on the UN/NA 2199 datasheet.
FIRE: If tank, rail tank car or highway tank is involved in a fire, ISOLATE for 1600 meters (1 mile) in all directions; also, consider initial evacuation for 1600 meters (1 mile) in all directions. (ERG, 2024)
IMMEDIATE PRECAUTIONARY MEASURE: Isolate spill or leak area for at least 100 meters (330 feet) in all directions.
SPILL: See ERG Table 1 - Initial Isolation and Protective Action Distances on the UN/NA 2199 datasheet.
FIRE: If tank, rail tank car or highway tank is involved in a fire, ISOLATE for 1600 meters (1 mile) in all directions; also, consider initial evacuation for 1600 meters (1 mile) in all directions. (ERG, 2024)
Firefighting
Wear full protective clothing including self-contained breathing apparatus, rubber gloves, boots, and bands around legs, arms, and waist. No skin surface should be exposed. For massive fires in cargo areas, use unmanned hose holders or monitor nozzles. Move containers from fire area.
If material is on fire or involved in a fire, do not extinguish unless flow can be stopped; use water in flooding quantities as fog; cool all affected containers with flooding quantities of water; apply water from as far a distance as possible; solid streams of water may be ineffective; use "alcohol" foam, carbon dioxide or dry chemical. (EPA, 1998)
If material is on fire or involved in a fire, do not extinguish unless flow can be stopped; use water in flooding quantities as fog; cool all affected containers with flooding quantities of water; apply water from as far a distance as possible; solid streams of water may be ineffective; use "alcohol" foam, carbon dioxide or dry chemical. (EPA, 1998)
Non-Fire Response
Excerpt from ERG Guide 119 [Gases - Toxic - Flammable]:
ELIMINATE all ignition sources (no smoking, flares, sparks or flames) from immediate area. All equipment used when handling the product must be grounded. Do not touch or walk through spilled material. Stop leak if you can do it without risk. Do not direct water at spill or source of leak. Use water spray to reduce vapors or divert vapor cloud drift. Avoid allowing water runoff to contact spilled material. FOR CHLOROSILANES, use alcohol-resistant foam to reduce vapors. If possible, turn leaking containers so that gas escapes rather than liquid. Prevent entry into waterways, sewers, basements or confined areas. Isolate area until gas has dispersed. (ERG, 2024)
ELIMINATE all ignition sources (no smoking, flares, sparks or flames) from immediate area. All equipment used when handling the product must be grounded. Do not touch or walk through spilled material. Stop leak if you can do it without risk. Do not direct water at spill or source of leak. Use water spray to reduce vapors or divert vapor cloud drift. Avoid allowing water runoff to contact spilled material. FOR CHLOROSILANES, use alcohol-resistant foam to reduce vapors. If possible, turn leaking containers so that gas escapes rather than liquid. Prevent entry into waterways, sewers, basements or confined areas. Isolate area until gas has dispersed. (ERG, 2024)
Protective Clothing
Excerpt from NIOSH Pocket Guide for Phosphine:
Skin: FROSTBITE - Compressed gases may create low temperatures when they expand rapidly. Leaks and uses that allow rapid expansion may cause a frostbite hazard. Wear appropriate personal protective clothing to prevent the skin from becoming frozen.
Eyes: FROSTBITE - Wear appropriate eye protection to prevent eye contact with the liquid that could result in burns or tissue damage from frostbite.
Wash skin: No recommendation is made specifying the need for washing the substance from the skin (either immediately or at the end of the work shift).
Remove: WHEN WET (FLAMMABLE) - Work clothing that becomes wet should be immediately removed due to its flammability hazard (i.e., for liquids with a flash point <100°F).
Change: No recommendation is made specifying the need for the worker to change clothing after the workshift.
Provide: FROSTBITE WASH - Quick drench facilities and/or eyewash fountains should be provided within the immediate work area for emergency use where there is any possibility of exposure to liquids that are extremely cold or rapidly evaporating. (NIOSH, 2024)
Skin: FROSTBITE - Compressed gases may create low temperatures when they expand rapidly. Leaks and uses that allow rapid expansion may cause a frostbite hazard. Wear appropriate personal protective clothing to prevent the skin from becoming frozen.
Eyes: FROSTBITE - Wear appropriate eye protection to prevent eye contact with the liquid that could result in burns or tissue damage from frostbite.
Wash skin: No recommendation is made specifying the need for washing the substance from the skin (either immediately or at the end of the work shift).
Remove: WHEN WET (FLAMMABLE) - Work clothing that becomes wet should be immediately removed due to its flammability hazard (i.e., for liquids with a flash point <100°F).
Change: No recommendation is made specifying the need for the worker to change clothing after the workshift.
Provide: FROSTBITE WASH - Quick drench facilities and/or eyewash fountains should be provided within the immediate work area for emergency use where there is any possibility of exposure to liquids that are extremely cold or rapidly evaporating. (NIOSH, 2024)
DuPont Tychem® Suit Fabrics
Tychem® Fabric Legend
QS = Tychem 2000 SFR |
QC = Tychem 2000 |
SL = Tychem 4000 |
C3 = Tychem 5000 |
TF = Tychem 6000 |
TP = Tychem 6000 FR |
RC = Tychem RESPONDER® CSM |
TK = Tychem 10000 |
RF = Tychem 10000 FR |
Testing Details
The fabric permeation data was generated for DuPont by a third party
laboratory. Permeation data for industrial chemicals is obtained per
ASTM F739. Normalized breakthrough times (the time at which the
permeation rate exceeds 0.1 μg/cm2/min) are reported in minutes. All
chemicals have been tested between approximately 20°C and 27°C unless
otherwise stated. All chemicals have been tested at a concentration of
greater than 95% unless otherwise stated.
Chemical warfare agents (Lewisite, Sarin, Soman, Sulfur Mustard, Tabun
and VX Nerve Agent) have been tested at 22°C and 50% relative humidity
per military standard MIL-STD-282. "Breakthrough time" for chemical
warfare agents is defined as the time when the cumulative mass which
permeated through the fabric exceeds the limit in MIL-STD-282 [either
1.25 or 4.0 μg/cm2].
A Caution from DuPont
This information is based upon technical data that DuPont believes to
be reliable on the date issued. It is subject to revision as additional
knowledge and experience are gained. The information reflects
laboratory performance of fabrics, not complete garments, under
controlled conditions. It is intended for informational use by persons
having technical skill for evaluation under their specific end-use
conditions, at their own discretion and risk. It is the user's
responsibility to determine the level of toxicity and the proper
personal protective equipment needed. Anyone intending to use this
information should first verify that the garment selected is suitable
for the intended use. In many cases, seams and closures have shorter
breakthrough times and higher permeation rates than the fabric. If
fabric becomes torn,abraded or punctured, or if seams or closures fail,
or if attached gloves, visors, etc. are damaged, end user should
discontinue use of garment to avoid potential exposure to chemical.
Since conditions of use are outside our control, DuPont makes no
warranties, express or implied, including, without limitation, no
warranties of merchantability or fitness for a particular use and
assume no liability in connection with any use of this information.
This information is not intended as a license to operate under or a
recommendation to infringe any patent, trademark or technical
information of DuPont or others covering any material or its use.
Chemical | CAS Number | State | QS | QC | SL | C3 | TF | TP | RC | TK | RF |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Phosphine | 7803-51-2 | Vapor | imm | imm | >480 | >480 | >480 |
> indicates greater than.
"imm" indicates immediate; having a normalized breakthrough time of 10 minutes or less.
"imm" indicates immediate; having a normalized breakthrough time of 10 minutes or less.
Special Warning from DuPont: Tychem® and Tyvek® fabrics should not be used around heat, flames, sparks or in potentially flammable or explosive environments. Only...
...Tychem® ThermoPro, Tychem® Reflector® and Tychem® TK styles 600T/601T
(with aluminized outer suit) garments are designed and tested to help
reduce burn injury during escape from a flash fire. Users of Tychem®
ThermoPro, Tychem® Reflector® and Tychem® TK styles 600T/601T (with
aluminized outer suit) garments should not knowingly enter an explosive
environment. Tychem® garments with attached socks must be worn inside
protective outer footwear and are not suitable as outer footwear. These
attached socks do not have adequate durability or slip resistance to be
worn as the outer foot covering.
(DuPont, 2024)
First Aid
Warning: Effects may be delayed for several hours. Caution is advised.
Signs and Symptoms of Acute Phosphine Exposure: Acute exposure to phosphine usually results in headache, cough, tightness and pain in the chest, shortness of breath, dizziness, lethargy, and stupor. Fatigue, muscle pain, chills, tremors, incoordination, seizures, and coma may be seen. Pulmonary edema and cardiac arrhythmias are common. Gastrointestinal symptoms include nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, and diarrhea. Renal (kidney) damage, hepatic (liver) damage, and jaundice may also occur. Contact with phosphine may burn the skin and eyes.
Emergency Life-Support Procedures: Acute exposure to phosphine may require decontamination and life support for the victims. Emergency personnel should wear protective clothing appropriate to the type and degree of contamination. Air-purifying or supplied-air respiratory equipment should also be worn, as necessary. Rescue vehicles should carry supplies such as plastic sheeting and disposable plastic bags to assist in preventing spread of contamination.
Inhalation Exposure:
1. Move victims to fresh air. Emergency personnel should avoid self-exposure to phosphine.
2. Evaluate vital signs including pulse and respiratory rate, and note any trauma. If no pulse is detected, provide CPR. If not breathing, provide artificial respiration. If breathing is labored, administer oxygen or other respiratory support.
3. Obtain authorization and/or further instructions from the local hospital for administration of an antidote or performance of other invasive procedures.
4. Transport to a health care facility.
Dermal/Eye Exposure:
1. Remove victims from exposure. Emergency personnel should avoid self- exposure to phosphine.
2. Evaluate vital signs including pulse and respiratory rate, and note any trauma. If no pulse is detected, provide CPR. If not breathing, provide artificial respiration. If breathing is labored, administer oxygen or other respiratory support.
3. Remove contaminated clothing as soon as possible.
4. If eye exposure has occurred, eyes must be flushed with lukewarm water for at least 15 minutes.
5. Wash exposed skin areas twice with soap and water.
6. Obtain authorization and/or further instructions from the local hospital for administration of an antidote or performance of other invasive procedures.
7. Transport to a health care facility.
Ingestion Exposure: No information is available. (EPA, 1998)
Signs and Symptoms of Acute Phosphine Exposure: Acute exposure to phosphine usually results in headache, cough, tightness and pain in the chest, shortness of breath, dizziness, lethargy, and stupor. Fatigue, muscle pain, chills, tremors, incoordination, seizures, and coma may be seen. Pulmonary edema and cardiac arrhythmias are common. Gastrointestinal symptoms include nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, and diarrhea. Renal (kidney) damage, hepatic (liver) damage, and jaundice may also occur. Contact with phosphine may burn the skin and eyes.
Emergency Life-Support Procedures: Acute exposure to phosphine may require decontamination and life support for the victims. Emergency personnel should wear protective clothing appropriate to the type and degree of contamination. Air-purifying or supplied-air respiratory equipment should also be worn, as necessary. Rescue vehicles should carry supplies such as plastic sheeting and disposable plastic bags to assist in preventing spread of contamination.
Inhalation Exposure:
1. Move victims to fresh air. Emergency personnel should avoid self-exposure to phosphine.
2. Evaluate vital signs including pulse and respiratory rate, and note any trauma. If no pulse is detected, provide CPR. If not breathing, provide artificial respiration. If breathing is labored, administer oxygen or other respiratory support.
3. Obtain authorization and/or further instructions from the local hospital for administration of an antidote or performance of other invasive procedures.
4. Transport to a health care facility.
Dermal/Eye Exposure:
1. Remove victims from exposure. Emergency personnel should avoid self- exposure to phosphine.
2. Evaluate vital signs including pulse and respiratory rate, and note any trauma. If no pulse is detected, provide CPR. If not breathing, provide artificial respiration. If breathing is labored, administer oxygen or other respiratory support.
3. Remove contaminated clothing as soon as possible.
4. If eye exposure has occurred, eyes must be flushed with lukewarm water for at least 15 minutes.
5. Wash exposed skin areas twice with soap and water.
6. Obtain authorization and/or further instructions from the local hospital for administration of an antidote or performance of other invasive procedures.
7. Transport to a health care facility.
Ingestion Exposure: No information is available. (EPA, 1998)
The
Physical Property fields
include properties such as vapor pressure and
boiling point, as well as explosive limits and
toxic exposure thresholds
The information in CAMEO Chemicals comes from a variety of
data sources.
Note: For Vapor Density and Specific Gravity, comparing the value to 1.0 can tell you if the chemical will likely sink/rise in air or sink/float in fresh water (respectively). Short phrases have been added to those values below as an aid. However, make sure to also consider the circumstances of a release. The Vapor Density comparisons are only valid when the gas escaping is at the same temperature as the surrounding air itself. If the chemical is escaping from a container where it was pressurized or refrigerated, it may first escape and behave as a heavy gas and sink in the air (even if it has a Vapor Density value less than 1). Also, the Specific Gravity comparisons are for fresh water (density 1.0 g/mL). If your spill is in salt water (density about 1.027 g/mL), you need to adjust the point of comparison. There are some chemicals that will sink in fresh water and float in salt water.
Note: For Vapor Density and Specific Gravity, comparing the value to 1.0 can tell you if the chemical will likely sink/rise in air or sink/float in fresh water (respectively). Short phrases have been added to those values below as an aid. However, make sure to also consider the circumstances of a release. The Vapor Density comparisons are only valid when the gas escaping is at the same temperature as the surrounding air itself. If the chemical is escaping from a container where it was pressurized or refrigerated, it may first escape and behave as a heavy gas and sink in the air (even if it has a Vapor Density value less than 1). Also, the Specific Gravity comparisons are for fresh water (density 1.0 g/mL). If your spill is in salt water (density about 1.027 g/mL), you need to adjust the point of comparison. There are some chemicals that will sink in fresh water and float in salt water.
Chemical Formula: |
|
Flash Point: data unavailable
Lower Explosive Limit (LEL):
1.79 %
Dangerous fire hazard from spontaneous chemical reaction.
(EPA, 1998)
Upper Explosive Limit (UEL):
Dangerous fire hazard from spontaneous chemical reaction.
(EPA, 1998)
Autoignition Temperature: data unavailable
Melting Point:
-207°F
(EPA, 1998)
Vapor Pressure:
760 mmHg
at -125.5°F
(EPA, 1998)
Vapor Density (Relative to Air):
1.17
(EPA, 1998)
- Heavier than air; will sink
Specific Gravity:
0.746
at -130°F
(EPA, 1998)
- Less dense than water; will float
Boiling Point:
-126°F
at 760 mmHg
(EPA, 1998)
Molecular Weight:
34
(EPA, 1998)
Water Solubility:
Slight
(NIOSH, 2024)
Ionization Energy/Potential:
9.96 eV
(NIOSH, 2024)
IDLH:
50 ppm
(NIOSH, 2024)
AEGLs (Acute Exposure Guideline Levels)
Exposure Period | AEGL-1 | AEGL-2 | AEGL-3 |
---|---|---|---|
10 minutes | NR | 4 ppm | 7.2 ppm |
30 minutes | NR | 4 ppm | 7.2 ppm |
60 minutes | NR | 2 ppm | 3.6 ppm |
4 hours | NR | 0.5 ppm | 0.9 ppm |
8 hours | NR | 0.25 ppm | 0.45 ppm |
NR = Not recommended
(NAC/NRC, 2024)
ERPGs (Emergency Response Planning Guidelines)
Chemical | ERPG-1 | ERPG-2 | ERPG-3 |
---|---|---|---|
Phosphine (7803-51-2) | NA | 0.5 ppm | 5 ppm |
NA = not appropriate.
(AIHA, 2022)
PACs (Protective Action Criteria)
Chemical | PAC-1 | PAC-2 | PAC-3 | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Phosphine (7803-51-2) | 1 ppm | 2 ppm | 3.6 ppm | LEL = 16000 ppm |
(DOE, 2024)
The
Regulatory Information fields
include information from
the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's Title III Consolidated List of
Lists,
the U.S. Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency's Chemical Facility
Anti-Terrorism Standards,
and the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration's
Process Safety Management of Highly Hazardous Chemicals Standard List
(see more about these
data sources).
EPA Consolidated List of Lists
Regulatory Name | CAS Number/ 313 Category Code |
EPCRA 302 EHS TPQ |
EPCRA 304 EHS RQ |
CERCLA RQ | EPCRA 313 TRI |
RCRA Code |
CAA 112(r) RMP TQ |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Phosphine | 7803-51-2 | 500 pounds | 100 pounds | 100 pounds | 313 | P096 | 5000 pounds |
(EPA List of Lists, 2024)
CISA Chemical Facility Anti-Terrorism Standards (CFATS)
RELEASE | THEFT | SABOTAGE | ||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Chemical of Interest | CAS Number | Min Conc | STQ | Security Issue |
Min Conc | STQ | Security Issue |
Min Conc | STQ | Security Issue |
Phosphine | 7803-51-2 | 1.00 % | 10000 pounds | flammable | 0.67 % | 15 pounds | WME |
- WME = weapons of mass effect.
(CISA, 2007)
OSHA Process Safety Management (PSM) Standard List
Chemical Name | CAS Number | Threshold Quantity (TQ) |
---|---|---|
Phosphine (Hydrogen Phosphide) | 7803-51-2 | 100 pounds |
(OSHA, 2019)
This section provides a listing of alternate names for this chemical,
including trade names and synonyms.
- CELPHOS
- DELICIA
- DETIA
- GAS-EX-B
- HYDROGEN PHOSPHIDE
- PHOSPHINE
- PHOSPHINE (PH3)
- PHOSPHORATED HYDROGEN
- PHOSPHORETTED HYDROGEN
- PHOSPHORUS HYDRIDE
- PHOSPHORUS HYDRIDE (PH3)
- PHOSPHORUS TRIHYDRIDE
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