Product Identification

Product Name

Aluminum phosphide

Synonyms

Celphos
Detia
Phostoxin

CAS

20859-73-8

Formula

AlP

Molecular Weight

57.96

EINECS

244-088-0

RTECS

BD1400000

RTECS Class

Agricultural Chemical and Pesticide; Human Data

Merck

12,372

Beilstein/Gmelin

37808 (G)

EC Index Number

015-004-00-8

EC Class

Highly flammable; Very toxic; Contact with acids liberates very toxic gas; Dangerous for the Environment

Physical and Chemical Properties

Appearance

Dark gray or dark yellow crystals; cubic zinc blende structure. Garlic odor.

Solubility in water

Reacts

Melting Point

2530

Density

2.85 g/cm3 (20 C)

Usage

Insecticide, fumigant.

First Aid Measures

Ingestion

Seek medical assistance.

Inhalation

Move patient to fresh air. Monitor for respiratory distress. If cough or difficulty breathing develops, evaluate for respiratory tract irritation, bronchitis, or pneumonitis. Administer oxygen and assist ventilation as required. Treat bronchospasm with beta2 agonist and corticosteroid aerosols.

Skin

Remove contaminated clothing and wash exposed area thoroughly with soap and water. A physician should examine the area if irritation or pain persists.

Eyes

Irrigate exposed eyes with copious amounts of tepid water for at least 15 minutes. If irritation, pain, swelling, lacrimation, or photophobia persist, the patient should be seen in a health care facility.

Handling and Storage

Storage

Fireproff storage, separate from acids, dry, with ventilation along the floor. Protect from moist air - will react to produce highly toxic phosphine.

Handling

All chemicals should be considered hazardous. Avoid direct physical contact. Use appropriate, approved safety equipment. Untrained individuals should not handle this chemical or its container. Handling should occur in a chemical fume hood.

Hazards Identification

Inhalation

Cough, sputum production, and dyspnea have been noted. Delayed onset of noncardiogenic pulmonary edema, cyanosis, and ards may be noted.

Skin

Redness. Burning sensation.

Eyes

Phosphine irritates the mucous membranes of the nose, mouth, throat, and respiratory tract.

Ingestion

Nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, and diarrhea may occur.

Hazards

Releases toxic fumes on exposure to moist air, water, or acids. Decomposes to produce phosphine gas. Avoid water, dilute mineral acids, dilute or concentrated hydrochloric acid. Stable when dry. Avoid moist air.

UN (DOT)

1397

Exposure Controls/Personal Protection

Personal Protection

Protective gloves. Safety goggles or eye protection in combintion with breathing protection.

Respirators

Wear positive pressure self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA).

Exposure Effects

Abnormally low blood pressure, shock, and either rapid heart rate or low heart rate occur commonly. Fatigue, headache, drowsiness, dizziness, paresthesias, and CNS depression leading to coma may be seen. Seizures are not uncommon following acute exposure. Restlessness and anxiety were noted following acute aluminum phosphide ingestion. No data were available to assess the teratogenic potential of this agent. <br>No data were available to assess the potential effects of exposure to this agent during pregnancy or lactation. <br>At the time of this review no information about possible male reproductive effects was found in available references.

Poison Class

1

Fire Fighting Measures

Fire Fighting

Wear self-contained breathing apparatus when fighting fires involving this material. If contact with the material is anticipated, wear full protective clothing.Do not use water or foam. Small fires can be extinguished with dry chemical, soda ash, or lime. Large fires -- withdraw from area and let fire burn. Move container from fire only if you can do it without risk.

Accidental Release Measures

Small spills/leaks

Do not use water. Keep sparks, flames, and other sources of ignition away. Keep material out of water sources and sewers. Keep material dry.

Stability and Reactivity

Incompatibilities

Can react vigorously upon contact with oxidizing agents.

Stability

Reacts violently with diluted strong acids causing fire and explosion hazard. Runoff to sewer may create fire or explosion hazard. Reaction with dilute mineral acids is explosively violent.

Decomposition

When heated to decomposition, yields toxic phosphorus oxides.

Combustion Products

Fire will produce irritating, corrosive and/or toxic gases.

Transport Information

UN Number

1397

Hazard Class

4.3

Packing Group

I