- CHEMICAL DANGERS:
- Phosphine decomposes on heating or on burning, producing toxic fumes.
- Phosphine reacts with acids, air, copper, moisture, and oxidants.
- EXPLOSION HAZARDS:
- Phosphine is extremely explosive.
- The agent may form explosive mixtures with air.
- Run-off may create an explosion hazard.
- Containers may explode when heated.
- Ruptured cylinders may rocket.
- Lower explosive (flammable) limit in air (LEL), 1.79%; upper explosive (flammable) limit in air (UEL), unknown.
- FIRE FIGHTING INFORMATION:
- Phosphine is extremely flammable and explosive.
- The agent may ignite spontaneously on contact with air.
- The agent may be ignited by heat, sparks, or flames.
- When phosphine burns, it produces a dense white cloud of a severe respiratory irritant (phosphorus pentoxide).
- Vapors may travel to the source of ignition and flash back.
- Run-off may create a fire hazard.
- Do not extinguish a leaking gas fire unless the leak can be stopped.
- For small fires, use dry chemical, carbon dioxide, water spray, or alcohol-resistant foam.
- For large fires, use water spray, fog, or alcohol-resistant foam. Move containers from the fire area if it is possible to do so without risk to personnel. Damaged cylinders should be handled only by specialists.
- For fire involving tanks, fight the fire from maximum distance or use unmanned hose holders or monitor nozzles. Cool containers with flooding quantities of water until well after the fire is out. Do not direct water at the source of the leak or at safety devices; icing may occur. Withdraw immediately in case of rising sound from venting safety devices or discoloration of tanks. Always stay away from tanks engulfed in fire.
- Run-off from fire control may cause pollution.
- If the situation allows, control and properly dispose of run-off (effluent).
- INITIAL ISOLATION AND PROTECTIVE ACTION DISTANCES:
- If a tank, rail car, or tank truck is involved in a fire, isolate it for 1 mi (1600 m) in all directions; also consider initial evacuation for 1 mi (1600 m) in all directions.
- Small spills
- First isolate in all directions: 200 ft (60 m).
- Then protect persons downwind during the day: 0.4 mi (0.7 km).
- Then protect persons downwind during the night: 1.9 mi (3.1 km).
- Large spills
- First isolate in all directions: 1400 ft (450 m).
- Then protect persons downwind during the day: 2.7 mi (4.3 km).
- Then protect persons downwind during the night: 6.0 mi (9.6 km).
- PHYSICAL DANGERS:
- Vapors are heavier than air. They will spread along the ground and collect and stay in poorly-ventilated, low-lying, or confined areas (e.g., sewers, basements, and tanks).
- Hazardous concentrations may develop quickly in enclosed, poorly-ventilated, or low-lying areas. Keep out of these areas. Stay upwind.
- NFPA 704 Signal:
- Health: 4
- Flammability: 4
- Reactivity: 2
- Special:
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- SAMPLING AND ANALYSIS:
- OSHA: 1003, ID 180
- NIOSH: Not established/determined
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