Print
Chemical Datasheet
PHOSPHINE |
|
Chemical Identifiers
CAS Number |
UN/NA Number |
DOT Hazard Label |
USCG CHRIS Code |
- 7803-51-2
|
|
|
none
|
NIOSH Pocket Guide |
International Chem Safety Card |
Phosphine
|
|
NFPA 704
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.
Hazards
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)
- Amines, Phosphines, and Pyridines
- Reducing Agents, Strong
Potentially Incompatible Absorbents
Use caution: Liquids with this reactive group classification have been
known to react with the
absorbent
listed below.
- Mineral-Based & Clay-Based Absorbents
Response Recommendations
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)
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)
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)
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)
DuPont Tychem® Suit Fabrics
Normalized Breakthrough Times (in Minutes)
Chemical |
CAS Number |
State |
QS |
QC |
SL |
C3 |
TF |
TP |
RC |
TK |
RF |
Phosphine |
7803-51-2 |
Vapor |
|
|
|
|
imm |
imm |
>480 |
>480 |
>480 |
Special Warning from DuPont: Tychem® and Tyvek® fabrics should not be
used around heat, flames, sparks or in potentially flammable or
explosive environments. Only...
(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)
Physical Properties
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)
Final AEGLs for Phosphine (7803-51-2)
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 |
(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 |
(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)
Regulatory Information
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 |
|
|
|
(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)
Alternate Chemical Names
- CELPHOS
- DELICIA
- DETIA
- GAS-EX-B
- HYDROGEN PHOSPHIDE
- PHOSPHINE
- PHOSPHINE (PH3)
- PHOSPHORATED HYDROGEN
- PHOSPHORETTED HYDROGEN
- PHOSPHORUS HYDRIDE
- PHOSPHORUS HYDRIDE (PH3)
- PHOSPHORUS TRIHYDRIDE