| Agent Name |
Phosphine |
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| CAS Number |
7803-51-2 |
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| Formula |
H3-P |
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| Major Category |
Toxic Gases & Vapors |
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| Synonyms |
Hydrogen phosphide; Phosphorated hydrogen; Phosphorus hydride; Phosphorus trihydride; [NIOSH] |
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| Category |
Hydrides |
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| Description |
Colorless gas with a fish- or garlic-like odor. [pesticide] [Note: Shipped as a liquefied compressed gas. Pure compound is odorless.] [NIOSH] |
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| Sources/Uses |
Phosphine is used as a fumigant and as a dopant in microelectronics manufacturing. [ACGIH] Phosphine is produced by reacting water or acid with metallic phosphides. It may be formed during the production of acetylene gas. "Phosphine is used in the semiconductor industry to introduce phosphorus into silicon crystals as an intentional impurity. It also is used as a fumigant and a polymerization initiator." [ATSDR Medical Management] |
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| Comments |
Phosphine is toxic to the brain, kidneys, heart, and liver with an end point of cardiovascular collapse. [ATSDR Medical Management] Some investigators have reported pulmonary edema and changes in the kidneys and brain of experimental animals poisoned with phosphine. [ACGIH] Phosphine may be released when the following chemicals are spilled in water: calcium phosphide, aluminum phosphide, sodium phosphide, magnesium aluminum phosphide, magnesium phosphide, potassium phosphide, and strontium phosphide. [ERG 2008] Possible frostbite from contact with liquid; [NIOSH] Phosphides (aluminum, magnesium, and zinc) are as fumigants and rodenticides. They are major causes of accidental and suicidal poisoning in India and other developing countries. The lowest lethal oral doses reported in adults are 500 mg for aluminum phosphide and 4 g for zinc phosphide. Phosphine causes vomiting, diarrhea, and shock after ingestion. Later symptoms are ARDS, acute renal failure, hepatitis, convulsions, and coma. Methemoglobinemia has been reported. [Olson, p. 307] |
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| Reference Link |
ATSDR Medical Management - Phosphine |
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| Exposure Assessment |
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| Skin Designation (ACGIH) |
No |
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| TIH |
Yes |
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| TLV (ACGIH) |
0.3 ppm |
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| STEL (ACGIH) |
1 ppm |
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| PEL (OSHA) |
0.3 ppm |
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| MAK |
0.1 ppm |
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| IDLH (NIOSH) |
50 ppm |
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| Excerpts from Documentation for IDLHs |
Symptoms such as diarrhea, nausea and vomiting, tightness of the chest, cough, headache, and dizziness have been reported in workers exposed intermittently to concentrations up to 35 ppm [Jones et al. 1964]. It has been stated that 290 to 430 ppm is dangerous to life after 1 hour, and 100 to 200 ppm is the maximum amount for 0.5 to 1 hour [Henderson and Haggard 1943]. |
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| Odor Threshold Low |
0.01 ppm |
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| Odor Threshold High |
5 ppm |
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| Lethal Concentration |
LC50 (rats) = 11 ppm/4H |
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| Explanatory Notes |
Recognition odor threshold from AIHA (mean = 0.14 ppm); Can ignite spontaneously in cold air; [CHEMINFO] |
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| Reference Link |
International Chemical Safety Cards (WHO/IPCS/ILO) |
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| Flammability (NFPA) |
4: burns readily |
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| Adverse Effects |
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| Toxic Pneumonitis |
Yes |
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| Methemoglobinemia |
Methemoglobinemia, Secondary |
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| Neurotoxin |
Other CNS Neurotoxin |
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| Hepatotoxin |
Hepatotoxin, Secondary |
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| Nephrotoxin |
Yes |
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| Links to Other NLM Databases |
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| Health Studies |
Human Health Effects from Hazardous Substances Data Bank: PHOSPHINE
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