1% Phosphine in He
SYMBOL: PH3
CAS NUMBER: 7803-51-2 (PH3), 7440-59-7
(He)
1. HAZARDS IDENTIFICATION
NFPA RATINGS (SCALE 0-4): HEALTH=4 FIRE=4 REACTIVITY=2
EMERGENCY OVERVIEW:
Color: colorless
Physical Form: gas
Odor: decaying fish
Major Health Hazards: DANGER! MAY BE FATAL IF INHALED. CONTAINS MATERIAL THAT MAY
CAUSE TARGET ORGAN DAMAGE, BASED ON ANIMAL DATA.
CONTENTS UNDER PRESSURE. Do not puncture or incinerate container. Do not breathe gas. Use only
with adequate ventilation. Keep container closed. Contact with rapidly expanding gases can cause
frostbite.
POTENTIAL HEALTH EFFECTS:
INHALATION: Highly toxic. May be fatal if inhaled. Effects include irritation of the respiratory
tract and lungs, chest pain, difficulty in breathing, fatigue, headache, abdominal pain,
nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, drowsiness, dizziness, staggering, convulsions, and
collapse.
SKIN CONTACT: Slightly irritating to the skin
Eye contact: Slightly irritating to the eyes.
2. FIRST AID MEASURES----------EYE CONTACT: Flush contaminated eye(s) with copious amounts of fresh water. Seek medical attention
immediately.
INGESTION: Phosphine is a gas at room temperature and pressure making ingestion unlikely.
INHALATION: IF INHALED, OR SUSPICION OF ANY EXPOSURE, remove to fresh air. If not
breathing, give artificial respiration. If breathing, qualified personnel should give oxygen. Call a
physician even if no symptoms are present. Keep under medical observation. Symptoms may
be delayed. Consider any exposure as a potentially toxic dose
SKIN CONTACT: In case of contact, immediately flush skin with plenty of water for at least 15 minutes
while removing contaminated clothing and shoes. Wash clothing before reuse. Clean shoes thoroughly
before reuse. Get medical attention immediately. In case of frostbite, try to warm up the frozen tissues
and seek medical attention.
3. FIRE FIGHTING MEASURES----------FLASH POINT: Flammable gas
EXTINGUISHING MEDIA: CO2, dry chemical foam, water spray, or fog.
SPECIAL FIRE FIGHTING INSTRUCTIONS: DANGER! Poisonous, flammable high-pressure
gas. Evacuate all personnel from danger area. Do not approach area without selfcontained
breathing apparatus and protective clothing. Immediately spray containers with water
from maximum distance until cool, taking care not to extinguish flames. Solid streams of water
may be ineffective. Remove sources of ignition if without risk. If flames are accidentally
extinguished, explosive reignition may occur. Reduce toxic vapors with water spray or fog.
Remove all containers from fire area if without risk; continue cooling water spray while moving
containers. Do not extinguish any flames emitted from containers; stop flow if without risk, or
allow flames to burn out.
HAZARDOUS COMBUSTION PRODUCTS: Thermal decomposition or burning may produce
hydrogen, phosphorus, phosphorus oxides.