PHOSPHIDES

Synonyms

CLASSES; Water-Reactive Materials: Aluminum phosphide; Calcium phosphide; Magnesium aluminum phosphide; Magnesium phosphide; Potassium phosphide; Sodium phosphide; Strontium phosphide; Less Water-Reactive Materials: Stannic phosphide; Zinc phosphide; [ERG 2008]

Category

Phosphides

Sources/Uses

Aluminum phosphide and magnesium phosphide are used in pest control; Aluminum phosphide, calcium phosphide, and zinc phosphide are used as rodenticides; Gallium phosphide and indium phosphide are used as semiconductors in the production of light-emitting diodes; [Ullmann]

Comments

Phosphides react with water to form the highly toxic and flammable phosphine; [Hawley] "Phosphides react quickly upon contact with moisture or acids to give the very toxic gas phosphine; phosphides also can react vigorously with oxidizing materials." [EPA] Phosphides are one of the four binary salts that have specific hazards (nitrides, carbides, hydrides, and phosphides); Phosphides give off phosphine gas, and a corrosive base is formed from contact with water. The corrosive base is the hydroxide of the metal that is attached to the phosphorus in the phosphide compounds; [Burke, p. 21] Substances not listed in the Phosphides category in Haz-Map include "Uranium phosphide," "Cadmium phosphide," and "Rare Earth Metals." See "Phosphine."

Biomedical References

Yes

Yes

Explanatory Notes

Not TIH in land-based spills, but TiH substance released when spilled in water; [ERG 2016]

Yes

Other CNS neurotoxin

Hepatoxic (a) from occupational exposure (secondary effect) or (b) in animal studies or in humans after ingestion

Yes

Diseases

Occupational diseases associated with exposure to this agent:

• Fumigants, acute toxic effect
• Pneumonitis, toxic

Processes

Industrial Processes with risk of exposure:

• Farming (Pesticides)
• Toxic Gas from Spilling Chemical in Water