Phosphine gas general info

Phosphine
General information
Key Points
Fire
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Gas, extremely flammable and spontaneously flammable in air
Reacts violently with air, oxygen, halogens and other oxidants causing fire and is an explosion hazard
Decomposes on heating or burning, releasing toxic phosphorus oxides fumes
In the event of a fire involving phosphine, use fine water spray and liquid-tight chemical protective clothing and breathing apparatus

Health
 Extremely flammable
 Very toxic by inhalation; symptoms usually occur within a few hours of exposure
 Phosphine is irritating to the mucous membranes of the nose, mouth, throat and respiratory tract
 Inhalation may result in weakness, chest tightness and pain, dry mouth, cough, sickness, vomiting, diarrhoea, chills, muscle pain, headache, dizziness, ataxia, confusion and lung damage. These symptoms may develop 2-3 days after exposure
 Severe poisoning may result in increased heart rate, low blood pressure, convulsions, coma, heart damage and death. These symptoms usually within 4 days but may be delayed up to 1-2 weeks
 Exposure to the eyes or skin may cause irritation
 Long-term exposure may cause anaemia, bronchitis, gastrointestinal disorders, speech and motor problems, toothache, weakness, weight loss, swelling and damage of the jaw bone and spontaneous fractures
 Phosphine has not been associated with cancer
 Phosphine is not likely to cause reproductive or developmental effects
Environment
 Dangerous for the Environment
 Inform Environment Agency of substantial release incidents

Prepared by L Assem & M Takamiya
Institute of Environment and Health
Cranfield University
2007
Version 1

PHOSPHINE – GENERAL INFORMATION

Background
Phosphine is a colourless gas, which is slightly heavier than air. It usually smells of garlic or rotting fish due to the presence of contaminants but pure phosphine is odourless. Phosphine is extremely flammable and highly reactive with air,