CALCIUM PHOSPHIDE
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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 |
|---|---|
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| DOT Hazard Label | USCG CHRIS Code |
|
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| NIOSH Pocket Guide | International Chem Safety Card |
| none |
NFPA 704
data unavailable
General Description
Calcium phosphide appears as red-brown crystals to gray granular lumps. It reacts with water to form calcium hydroxide and phosphine, a flammable poisonous gas. Phosphine will normally ignite spontaneously in contact with air. If there is an excess of water this fire of phosphine will not normally ignite surrounding combustible material.
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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
- Water-Reactive
- Air-Reactive
Air & Water Reactions
Decomposed by water or moist air evolving toxic phosphine gas which often ignites [Van Schwartz 1918 p.327].
Calcium phosphide reacts vigorously with water to generate gaseous PH3. Based on a scenario where the chemical is spilled into an excess of water (at least 5 fold excess of water), half of the maximum theoretical yield of Phosphine gas will be created in 15 minutes. Experimental details are in the following: "Development of the Table of Initial Isolation and Protective Distances for the 2008 Emergency Response Guidebook", ANL/DIS-09-2, D.F. Brown, H.M. Hartmann, W.A. Freeman, and W.D. Haney, Argonne National Laboratory, Argonne, Illinois, June 2009.
Calcium phosphide reacts vigorously with water to generate gaseous PH3. Based on a scenario where the chemical is spilled into an excess of water (at least 5 fold excess of water), half of the maximum theoretical yield of Phosphine gas will be created in 15 minutes. Experimental details are in the following: "Development of the Table of Initial Isolation and Protective Distances for the 2008 Emergency Response Guidebook", ANL/DIS-09-2, D.F. Brown, H.M. Hartmann, W.A. Freeman, and W.D. Haney, Argonne National Laboratory, Argonne, Illinois, June 2009.
Fire Hazard
Behavior in Fire: Can cause spontaneous ignition if wet. Contributes dense smoke of phosphoric acid. (USCG, 1999)
Health Hazard
Inhalation or ingestion causes faintness, weakness, nausea, vomiting. External contact with dust causes irritation of eyes and skin. (USCG, 1999)
Reactivity Profile
CALCIUM PHOSPHIDE and hydrochloric acid undergo a very energetic reaction [Mellor 8:841 1946-47]. Calcium and other alkaline earth phosphides incandesce in oxygen when heated.
Belongs to the Following Reactive Group(s)
Potentially Incompatible Absorbents
No information available.
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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 139 [Substances - Water-Reactive (Emitting Flammable and Toxic Gases)]:
IMMEDIATE PRECAUTIONARY MEASURE: Isolate spill or leak area in all directions for at least 50 meters (150 feet) for liquids and at least 25 meters (75 feet) for solids.
SPILL: See ERG Table 1 - Initial Isolation and Protective Action Distances on the UN/NA 1360 datasheet.
FIRE: If tank, rail car or tank truck is involved in a fire, ISOLATE for 800 meters (1/2 mile) in all directions; also, consider initial evacuation for 800 meters (1/2 mile) in all directions. (ERG, 2020)
IMMEDIATE PRECAUTIONARY MEASURE: Isolate spill or leak area in all directions for at least 50 meters (150 feet) for liquids and at least 25 meters (75 feet) for solids.
SPILL: See ERG Table 1 - Initial Isolation and Protective Action Distances on the UN/NA 1360 datasheet.
FIRE: If tank, rail car or tank truck is involved in a fire, ISOLATE for 800 meters (1/2 mile) in all directions; also, consider initial evacuation for 800 meters (1/2 mile) in all directions. (ERG, 2020)
Firefighting
Excerpt from ERG Guide 139 [Substances - Water-Reactive (Emitting Flammable and Toxic Gases)]:
DO NOT USE WATER OR FOAM. (FOAM MAY BE USED FOR CHLOROSILANES, SEE BELOW).
SMALL FIRE: Dry chemical, soda ash, lime or sand.
LARGE FIRE: DRY sand, dry chemical, soda ash or lime or withdraw from area and let fire burn. FOR CHLOROSILANES, DO NOT USE WATER; use AFFF alcohol-resistant medium-expansion foam; DO NOT USE dry chemicals, soda ash or lime on chlorosilane fires (large or small) as they may release large quantities of hydrogen gas that may explode. If it can be done safely, move undamaged containers away from the area around the fire.
FIRE INVOLVING TANKS OR CAR/TRAILER LOADS: Fight fire from maximum distance or use unmanned master stream devices or monitor nozzles. Cool containers with flooding quantities of water until well after fire is out. Do not get water inside containers. Withdraw immediately in case of rising sound from venting safety devices or discoloration of tank. ALWAYS stay away from tanks engulfed in fire. (ERG, 2020)
DO NOT USE WATER OR FOAM. (FOAM MAY BE USED FOR CHLOROSILANES, SEE BELOW).
SMALL FIRE: Dry chemical, soda ash, lime or sand.
LARGE FIRE: DRY sand, dry chemical, soda ash or lime or withdraw from area and let fire burn. FOR CHLOROSILANES, DO NOT USE WATER; use AFFF alcohol-resistant medium-expansion foam; DO NOT USE dry chemicals, soda ash or lime on chlorosilane fires (large or small) as they may release large quantities of hydrogen gas that may explode. If it can be done safely, move undamaged containers away from the area around the fire.
FIRE INVOLVING TANKS OR CAR/TRAILER LOADS: Fight fire from maximum distance or use unmanned master stream devices or monitor nozzles. Cool containers with flooding quantities of water until well after fire is out. Do not get water inside containers. Withdraw immediately in case of rising sound from venting safety devices or discoloration of tank. ALWAYS stay away from tanks engulfed in fire. (ERG, 2020)
Non-Fire Response
Excerpt from ERG Guide 139 [Substances - Water-Reactive (Emitting Flammable and Toxic Gases)]:
ELIMINATE all ignition sources (no smoking, flares, sparks or flames) from immediate area. Do not touch or walk through spilled material. Stop leak if you can do it without risk. DO NOT GET WATER on spilled substance or inside containers. Use water spray to reduce vapors or divert vapor cloud drift. Avoid allowing water runoff to contact spilled material. FOR CHLOROSILANES, use AFFF alcohol-resistant medium-expansion foam to reduce vapors.
SMALL SPILL: Cover with DRY earth, DRY sand or other non-combustible material followed with plastic sheet to minimize spreading or contact with rain. Dike for later disposal; do not apply water unless directed to do so.
POWDER SPILL: Cover powder spill with plastic sheet or tarp to minimize spreading and keep powder dry. DO NOT CLEAN-UP OR DISPOSE OF, EXCEPT UNDER SUPERVISION OF A SPECIALIST. (ERG, 2020)
ELIMINATE all ignition sources (no smoking, flares, sparks or flames) from immediate area. Do not touch or walk through spilled material. Stop leak if you can do it without risk. DO NOT GET WATER on spilled substance or inside containers. Use water spray to reduce vapors or divert vapor cloud drift. Avoid allowing water runoff to contact spilled material. FOR CHLOROSILANES, use AFFF alcohol-resistant medium-expansion foam to reduce vapors.
SMALL SPILL: Cover with DRY earth, DRY sand or other non-combustible material followed with plastic sheet to minimize spreading or contact with rain. Dike for later disposal; do not apply water unless directed to do so.
POWDER SPILL: Cover powder spill with plastic sheet or tarp to minimize spreading and keep powder dry. DO NOT CLEAN-UP OR DISPOSE OF, EXCEPT UNDER SUPERVISION OF A SPECIALIST. (ERG, 2020)
Protective Clothing
Dust respirator; protective gloves and clothing; goggles. (USCG, 1999)
DuPont Tychem® Suit Fabrics
No information available.
First Aid
INHALATION: remove to fresh air; call a physician and alert to possibility of phosphine poisoning.
EYES or SKIN: flush with water.
INGESTION: give large amounts of water; call physician and alert to possibility of phosphine poisoning. (USCG, 1999)
EYES or SKIN: flush with water.
INGESTION: give large amounts of water; call physician and alert to possibility of phosphine poisoning. (USCG, 1999)
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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): data unavailable
Upper Explosive Limit (UEL): data unavailable
Autoignition Temperature: data unavailable
Melting Point:
2910°F
(USCG, 1999)
Vapor Pressure: data unavailable
Vapor Density (Relative to Air): data unavailable
Specific Gravity:
2.51
at 68°F
(USCG, 1999)
- Denser than water; will sink
Boiling Point: data unavailable
Molecular Weight:
182.2
(USCG, 1999)
Water Solubility: data unavailable
Ionization Energy/Potential: data unavailable
IDLH: data unavailable
AEGLs (Acute Exposure Guideline Levels)
| Exposure Period | AEGL-1 | AEGL-2 | AEGL-3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10 minutes | NR | 2 ppm | 3.6 ppm |
| 30 minutes | NR | 2 ppm | 3.6 ppm |
| 60 minutes | NR | 1 ppm | 1.8 ppm |
| 4 hours | NR | 0.25 ppm | 0.45 ppm |
| 8 hours | NR | 0.13 ppm | 0.23 ppm |
NR = Not recommended due to insufficient data
(NAC/NRC, 2023)
ERPGs (Emergency Response Planning Guidelines)
No ERPG information available.PACs (Protective Action Criteria)
| Chemical | PAC-1 | PAC-2 | PAC-3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Calcium phosphide (1305-99-3) | 0.091 ppm | 1 ppm | 1.8 ppm |
(DOE, 2018)
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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
No regulatory information available.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 |
| Calcium phosphide | 1305-99-3 | ACG | APA | sabotage/ contamination | ||||||
- ACG = a commercial grade.
- APA = a placarded amount.
(CISA, 2007)
OSHA Process Safety Management (PSM) Standard List
No regulatory information available.![](javascript:dropDownText("section6_info","section6_info_marker","/static/images/up_arrow.png","/static/images/down_arrow.png")){kind=icon}
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This section provides a listing of alternate names for this chemical,
including trade names and synonyms.
- CALCIUM PHOSPHIDE
- CALCIUM PHOTOPHOR
- PHOTOPHOR
- TRICALCIUM DIPHOSPHIDE
Version 3.0.0