Magnesium phosphide (Mg3P2)

134.86

135.91800

235-023-7

Q846538H9E

0744

2011

DTXSID0034691

Yellow cubic crystals

0

1.18700

2.1 g/cm³

750 °C

56-57 °C10 mm Hg(lit.)

135 °F

n20/D 1.497(lit.)

Solubility in water: reaction

Inflammable in contact with water; flammable and highly toxic phosphine gas in contact with water

When released too quickly in a confined area, fire and/or explosions may occur.

Produces spontaneously flammable phosphine and diphosphine on contact with water.

Decomposed by water or moisture in air evolving toxic phosphine and diphosphine, that often ignites [Douda 1966]. May ignite upon contact with air. Based on a scenario where the chemical is spilled into an excess of water (at least 5 fold excess of water), half of the maximum theoretical yield of Phosphine gas will be created in 15 minutes. Experimental details are in the following: "Development of the Table of Initial Isolation and Protective Distances for the 2008 Emergency Response Guidebook", ANL/DIS-09-2, D.F. Brown, H.M. Hartmann, W.A. Freeman, and W.D. Haney, Argonne National Laboratory, Argonne, Illinois, June 2009.

Nitrides, Phosphides, Carbides, and Silicides

Strong Reducing Agent

MAGNESIUM PHOSPHIDE is a strong reducing agent. Nitric acid oxidizes MAGNESIUM PHOSPHIDE with incandescence [Mellor 8:842. 1946-47]. It ignites on heating with chlorine, bromine, or iodine vapors, [Mellor, 1940, Vol. 8, 842]. It reacts vigorously with most oxidants.

III

4.3

UN 2011

3

15/29-28-50

22-43-45-61

F,T+,N

Treasury is ventilated, low temperature and dry; stored separately from acid

P223, P231+P232, P260, P264, P270, P271, P273, P280, P284, P301+P310, P302+P352, P304+P340, P310, P312, P320, P321, P322, P330, P335+P334, P361, P363, P370+P378, P391, P402+P404, P403+P233, P405, P501

H260

SRP: The most favorable course of action is to use an alternative chemical product with less inherent propensity for occupational harm/injury/toxicity or environmental contamination. Recycle any unused portion of the material for its approved use or return it to the manufacturer or supplier. Ultimate disposal of the chemical must consider: the material's impact on air quality; potential migration in soil or water; effects on animal and plant life; and conformance with environmental and public health regulations.|Combustible packages can be incinerated at high temperature (> 1000 °C) using proper facilities.

Ignites when heated in chlorine, bromine, or iodine.|Reacts with water to evolve flammable phosphine.

USEPA/Office of Pesticide Programs; Reregistration Eligibility Decision Document - Aluminum and Magnesium Phosphide EPA 738-R-98-017 (December 1998). The RED summarizes the risk assessment conclusions and outlines any risk reduction measures necessary for the pesticide to continue to be registered in the U.S.[]|National Advisory Committee on Acute Exposure Guideline Levels for Hazardous Substances; Acute Exposure Guideline Levels (AEGLs) for Phosphine (CAS Reg. No. 7803-51-2) and Selected Metal Phosphides. 50 pp. (August 2008)

Excerpt from ERG Guide 139 [Substances - Water-Reactive (Emitting Flammable and Toxic Gases)]: Produce flammable and toxic gases on contact with water. May ignite on contact with water or moist air. Some react vigorously or explosively on contact with water. May be ignited by heat, sparks or flames. May re-ignite after fire is extinguished. Some are transported in highly flammable liquids. Containers may explode when heated. Runoff may create fire or explosion hazard. (ERG, 2016)|Not combustible but forms flammable gas on contact with water or damp air. Gives off irritating or toxic fumes (or gases) in a fire. Risk of fire and explosion on contact with water or damp air.|Flammable - 3rd degree, Reactive - 2nd degree

|Danger|H260: In contact with water releases flammable gases which may ignite spontaneously [Danger Substances and mixtures which in contact with water, emit flammable gases]|P223, P231+P232, P260, P264, P270, P271, P273, P280, P284, P301+P310, P302+P352, P304+P340, P310, P312, P320, P321, P322, P330, P335+P334, P361, P363, P370+P378, P391, P402+P404, P403+P233, P405, and P501|H260 (100%): In contact with water releases flammable gases which may ignite spontaneously [Danger Substances and mixtures which in contact with water, emit flammable gases]|Aggregated GHS information provided by 88 companies from 2 notifications to the ECHA C&L Inventory. Each notification may be associated with multiple companies.

Excerpt from ERG Guide 139 [Substances - Water-Reactive (Emitting Flammable and Toxic Gases)]: As an immediate precautionary measure, isolate spill or leak area in all directions for at least 50 meters (150 feet) for liquids and at least 25 meters (75 feet) for solids. SPILL: See ERG Table 1 - Initial Isolation and Protective Action Distances on the UN/NA 2011 datasheet. FIRE: If tank, rail car or tank truck is involved in a fire, ISOLATE for 800 meters (1/2 mile) in all directions; also, consider initial evacuation for 800 meters (1/2 mile) in all directions. (ERG, 2016)

Excerpt from ERG Guide 139 [Substances - Water-Reactive (Emitting Flammable and Toxic Gases)]: Fully encapsulating, vapor-protective clothing should be worn for spills and leaks with no fire. ELIMINATE all ignition sources (no smoking, flares, sparks or flames in immediate area). Do not touch or walk through spilled material. Stop leak if you can do it without risk. DO NOT GET WATER on spilled substance or inside containers. Use water spray to reduce vapors or divert vapor cloud drift. Avoid allowing water runoff to contact spilled material. FOR CHLOROSILANES, use AFFF alcohol-resistant medium-expansion foam to reduce vapors. SMALL SPILL: Cover with DRY earth, DRY sand or other non-combustible material followed with plastic sheet to minimize spreading or contact with rain. Dike for later disposal; do not apply water unless directed to do so. POWDER SPILL: Cover powder spill with plastic sheet or tarp to minimize spreading and keep powder dry. DO NOT CLEAN-UP OR DISPOSE OF, EXCEPT UNDER SUPERVISION OF A SPECIALIST. (ERG, 2016)

Excerpt from ERG Guide 139 [Substances - Water-Reactive (Emitting Flammable and Toxic Gases)]: Wear positive pressure self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA). Wear chemical protective clothing that is specifically recommended by the manufacturer. It may provide little or no thermal protection. Structural firefighters' protective clothing provides limited protection in fire situations ONLY; it is not effective in spill situations where direct contact with the substance is possible. (ERG, 2016)|Wear positive pressure self-contained breathing apparatus ... Wear appropriate chemical protective clothing. Do not handle broken packages unless wearing appropriate personal protective equipment.|A NIOSH/MSHA approved full face gas mask/hydrogen phosphide canister combination must be used at concn up to 15 ppm. Above this level, or if the concentration is unknown a NIOSH/MSHA approved self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) or equivalent must be available at the application site.

... Reacts violently with water and may ignite upon contact with air.

... When released too quickly in a confined area, fire and/or explosions may occur.

If material on fire or involved in fire: Do not use water. Use dry chemical or carbon dioxide.|If fire becomes uncontrollable or container is exposed to direct flame, consider evacuation of one-half (1/2) mile radius.

Spillages and residues in containers will evolve phosphine for several days by reaction with atmospheric moisture. Respiratory protective equipment will be required by those dealing with them. Even if atmospheric concentrations of phosphine are initially low, they may rise as residues are disturbed. Moderate quantities should be collected in a secure place to protect the public and wildlife and left in the open air and kept moist until hydrolysis is complete. /SRP: Under emergency conditions:/ larger amounts should be removed to a deep pit, at an approved site, until phosphine evolution is complete. Then they can be buried. Residues at the site of spillage should be washed away in a large quantity of water and the area kept secure and aerated until checked for zero gas concentration.

For information on this pesticide product (including health concerns, medical emergencies, or pesticide incidents), call the National Pesticide Telecommunications Network at 1-800-858-7378.|People who show signs of overexposure to phosphine gas, or are given any first aid treatment due to phosphine ..., must be taken directly to a doctor or emergency treatment facility, along with a copy of the label, the applicator's manual and/or the MSDS, which will be provided to the attending physician.|The certified applicator must ensure that those who require respiratory protection are part of a Respiratory Protection Program per OSHA standards contained in 29 CFR 1910.134.|Under no circumstances shall food, feed, and/or raw agricultural commodities which may be used directly as foods come into contact with aluminum or magnesium phosphide.|For more Preventive Measures (Complete) data for Magnesium phosphide (10 total), please visit the HSDB record page.

If ... THERE IS NO FIRE, go directly to the Table of Initial Isolation and Protective Action Distances /(see table below)/ ... to obtain initial isolation and protective action distances. IF THERE IS A FIRE, or IF A FIRE IS INVOLVED, go directly to the appropriate guide /(see guide(s) below)/ and use the evacuation information shown under PUBLIC SAFETY. /Magnesium phosphide (when spilled in water)/|Table of Water-Reactive Materials Which Produce Toxic Gases|/GUIDE 139: SUBSTANCES - WATER-REACTIVE (EMITTING FLAMMABLE AND TOXIC GASES)/ Fire or Explosion: Produce flammable and toxic gases on contact with water. May ignite on contact with water or moist air. Some react vigorously or explosively on contact with water. May be ignited by heat, sparks or flames. May re-ignite after fire is extinguished. Some are transported in highly flammable liquids. Containers may explode when heated. Runoff may create fire or explosion hazard.|/GUIDE 139: SUBSTANCES - WATER-REACTIVE (EMITTING FLAMMABLE AND TOXIC GASES)/ Health: Highly toxic: contact with water produces toxic gas, may be fatal if inhaled. Inhalation or contact with vapors, substance, or decomposition products may cause severe injury or death. May produce corrosive solutions on contact with water. Fire will produce irritating, corrosive and/or toxic gases. Runoff from fire control may cause pollution.|For more DOT Emergency Guidelines (Complete) data for Magnesium phosphide (10 total), please visit the HSDB record page.

Evacuate danger area! Consult an expert! Personal protection: gas-tight chemical protection suit including self-contained breathing apparatus. Do NOT wash away into sewer. Sweep spilled substance into covered sealable containers. Carefully collect remainder. Then store and dispose of according to local regulations.

Fireproof. Provision to contain effluent from fire extinguishing. Store in sealed, polyethylene-lined drums. Separated from food and feedstuffs. See Chemical Dangers. Dry. Well closed.

Evaporation at 20 °C is negligible; a harmful concentration of airborne particles can, however, be reached quickly when dispersed.

The substance is irritating to the eyes and respiratory tract.

NO open flames, NO sparks and NO smoking. NO contact with water.

PREVENT DISPERSION OF DUST! AVOID EXPOSURE OF ADOLESCENTS AND CHILDREN! IN ALL CASES CONSULT A DOCTOR!

Use local exhaust or breathing protection.

Protective gloves.

Wear safety goggles.

The IDLH (Immediately Dangerous to Life or Health) level is 282 mg/cu m (200 ppm). /Phosphine/

LC50 Frog (species not identified) inhalation 0.56 mg/L for 30 min /Phosphine/

Metal phosphides are hydrolyzed to phosphine and the corresponding metal cation ... In rats, phosphine that is not excreted in the expired air is oxidized and appears in the urine, chiefly as hypophosphite and phosphite ... An unidentified metabolite, detectable by paper chromatography and distinct from pyrophosphate and metaphosphate /was also reported/. The fact that (a) phosphine is incompletely oxidized; and (b) the proportion of an administered dose that is eliminated as expired phosphine increases with the dose suggests that the oxidative pathway is slow.

Studies on isolated rat liver showed that mitochondrial oxygen uptake was inhibited by phosphine ... and that this effect was due to the reaction of phosphine with cytochrome c and cytochrome c oxidase ... Although this inhibitory in vitro effect was also shown in insects, it was found that insects severely poisoned with phosphine did not suffer any inhibition of their cytochrome system ... Phosphine was found to inhibit insect catalase though this appeared to be an indirect effect and might have been a result of phosphine toxicity rather than a cause. /Phosphine/

Excerpt from ERG Guide 139 [Substances - Water-Reactive (Emitting Flammable and Toxic Gases)]: Highly toxic: contact with water produces toxic gas, may be fatal if inhaled. Inhalation or contact with vapors, substance or decomposition products may cause severe injury or death. May produce corrosive solutions on contact with water. Fire will produce irritating, corrosive and/or toxic gases. Runoff from fire control may cause pollution. (ERG, 2016)

Excerpt from ERG Guide 139 [Substances - Water-Reactive (Emitting Flammable and Toxic Gases)]: Ensure that medical personnel are aware of the material(s) involved and take precautions to protect themselves. Move victim to fresh air. Call 911 or emergency medical service. Give artificial respiration if victim is not breathing. Do not use mouth-to-mouth method if victim ingested or inhaled the substance; give artificial respiration with the aid of a pocket mask equipped with a one-way valve or other proper respiratory medical device. Administer oxygen if breathing is difficult. Remove and isolate contaminated clothing and shoes. In case of contact with substance, wipe from skin immediately; flush skin or eyes with running water for at least 20 minutes. Keep victim calm and warm. (ERG, 2016)

Fresh air, rest. Artificial respiration may be needed. Refer for medical attention.

Remove contaminated clothes. Rinse and then wash skin with water and soap.

First rinse with plenty of water for several minutes (remove contact lenses if easily possible), then refer for medical attention.

Immediate first aid: Ensure that adequate decontamination has been carried out. If patient is not breathing, start artificial respiration, preferably with a demand-valve resuscitator, bag-valve-mask device, or pocket mask, as trained. Perform CPR as necessary. Immediately flush contaminated eyes with gently flowing water. Do not induce vomiting. If vomiting occurs, lean patient forward or place on left side (head-down position, if possible) to maintain an open airway and prevent aspiration. Keep patient quiet and maintain normal body temperature. Obtain medical attention. /Magnesium and Related Compounds/|Basic treatment: Establish a patent airway (oropharyngeal or nasopharyngeal airway, if needed). Suction if necessary. Watch for signs of respiratory insufficiency and assist ventilations if necessary. Administer oxygen by nonrebreather mask at 10 to 15 L/min. Monitor for pulmonary edema and treat if necessary ... . Monitor for shock and treat if necessary ... . For eye contamination, flush eyes immediately with water. Irrigate each eye continuously with 0.9% saline (NS) during transport ... . Do not use emetics. For ingestion, rinse mouth and administer 5 ml/kg up to 200 ml of water for dilution if the patient can swallow, has a strong gag reflex, and does not drool ... . /Magnesium and Related Compounds/|Advanced treatment: Consider orotracheal or nasotracheal intubation for airway control in the patient who is unconscious, has severe pulmonary edema, or is in severe respiratory distress. Positive-pressure ventilation techniques with a bag valve mask device may be beneficial. Consider drug therapy for pulmonary edema ... . Monitor cardiac rhythm and treat arrhythmias if necessary ... . Start IV administration of D5W /SRP: "To keep open", minimal flow rate/. Use 0.9% saline (NS) or lactated Ringer's (LR) if signs of hypovolemia are present. For hypotension with signs of hypovolemia, administer fluid cautiously. Consider vasopressors if patient is hypotensive with a normal fluid volume. Watch for signs of fluid overload ... . Use proparacaine hydrochloride to assist eye irrigation ... . /Magnesium and Related Compounds/|Immediate first aid: Ensure that adequate decontamination has been carried out. If patient is not breathing, start artificial respiration, preferably with a demand-valve resuscitator, bag-valve-mask device, or pocket mask, as trained. Perform CPR as necessary. Immediately flush contaminated eyes with gently flowing water. Do not induce vomiting. If vomiting occurs, lean patient forward or place on left side (head-down position, if possible) to maintain an open airway and prevent aspiration. Keep patient quiet and maintain normal body temperature. Obtain medical attention. /Phosphine and Related Compounds/|For more Antidote and Emergency Treatment (Complete) data for Magnesium phosphide (6 total), please visit the HSDB record page.

/SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS/ Three groups of symptoms of acute phosphine poisoning /have been/ described ...: (a) nervous symptoms including headache, vertigo, tremors, and unsteady gait, progressing in severe cases to convulsions, coma, and death; (b) gastrointestinal symptoms include loss of appetite, thirst, nausea and vomiting, diarrhoea, and severe epigastric pain; and (c) respiratory symptoms including a feeling of pressure and pain in the chest as well as shortness of breath. In addition, a sharp fall in blood pressure was described as a characteristic, but seldom-mentioned, symptom. Chronic effects include anemia, bronchitis, and gastrointestinal, speech, and motor disturbances, but these are by no means general. /Phosphine/|/SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS/ ... The symptoms of acute poisoning by phosphine /include/ headache, fatigue, nausea, vomiting, jaundice, paraethesia, ataxia, tremor, diplopia, myocardial infiltration with necrosis, pulmonary edema, and myocardial and peripheral muscle damage. Laboratory results indicated that there had been urinary tract involvement (occult blood) and levels of several liver enzymes were elevated. /Phosphine/|/GENOTOXICITY/ In a human genotoxicity study ..., an analysis of chromosome aberrations and sister chromatid exchanges (SCE) in peripheral lymphocytes in workers was conducted. The following groups were studied: a) workers exposed to phosphine alone; b) workers exposed to phosphine and other pesticides; c) workers exposed to other pesticides and fumigants; d) state grain workers, and; e) controls. Lymphocytes were also exposed to phosphine in vitro at different concn and chromosome aberrations were analyzed at different times after exposure. Male fumigant applicators who, 6 wk to 3 mo earlier, were exposed to phosphine and other pesticides had significantly increased stable chromosome rearrangements, primarily translocations in G-banded lymphocytes. There was no increase in sister chromatid exchanges due to fumigation activities. Less stable aberrations, including chromatid deletions and gaps, were significantly increased only during the application season, but not at this later time point. During fumigant application, measured exposure to phosphine exceeded accepted national standards. /Phosphine/|/GENOTOXICITY/ In an Australian study of workers exposed to phosphine ..., 31 phosphine fumigators and 21 controls ... were examined for micronucleus incidence in peripheral blood lymphocytes and their concentrated urine was assessed for mutagenicity in TA100 and TA98 strains of S. typhimurium. In addition, serum bile acids were measured. The subjects, all males, were matched for medication, X-ray exposure within the past year, and smoking habits. There was no indication how often the fumigators were exposed, the most recent exposure date, or the length of employment of the various fumigators. No individual data were presented to identify if certain individuals showed 28 unusually high micronuclei incidence or presence of mutagens in the urine. For analysis, urine samples were concentrated 75-fold and the /Ames assay/ was used to test mutagenicity to TA100 and TA98 in the presence or absence of metabolic activation (S9). No increase in the mutagenicity of urine from the fumigators (N = -27) vs controls (N = -19) in this assay was observed. Similarly, no changes related to phosphine exposure were observed in serum bile acids. Cholesterol and some liver enzymes (gamma-glutamyl transferase) were elevated in the exposed group. Micronuclei formation was measured in isolated peripheral blood lymphocytes cultured for 44 hr in the presence of phytohemagglutinin to stimulate mitosis, arrested at metaphase with cytochalasin-B, and harvested by cytocentrifugation after 72 hr in culture. The micronucleus incidence was comparable among the fumigators and the control groups (overall MI for fumigators = 6.9 vs 7.1 for controls). /Phosphine/|/OTHER TOXICITY INFORMATION/ One mole of aluminum phosphide, potassium phosphide, or sodium phosphide will react rapidly with water or moisture to produce a maximum of one mole of phosphine ... One mole of zinc phosphide, calcium phosphide, magnesium phosphide or strontium phosphide will react rapidly with water or moisture to produce a maximum of two moles of phosphine ... In the absence of appropriate chemical-specific data for the title metal phosphides ... the use of phosphine as a surrogate for the metal phosphides is deemed appropriate because qualitative (clinical signs) and quantitative (phosphine blood level) data suggest that the phosphine hydrolysis product is responsible for acute toxicity from metal phosphides.

The substance can be absorbed into the body by inhalation of dust and by ingestion.

Abdominal pain. Burning sensation. Cough. Dizziness. Lethargy. Headache. Laboured breathing. Nausea. Sore throat.

Redness. Pain.

Based on available pesticide survey usage information for 1987 through 1996, estimated annual usage of magnesium phosphide is more than the 2 to 3 thousand pounds active ingredient (a.i.) used in California. (Usage data in terms of pounds a.i. are not available for sites other than in California.)

DEGESCH FUMI-CELL/FUMI-STRIP: Active Ingredient 56.0% Magnesium phosphide|DEGESCH MAGTOXIN GRANULES: Active Ingredient 94.6% Magnesium phosphide|DEGESCH MAGTOXIN PREPAC SPOT FUMIGANT: Active Ingredient 66.0% Magnesium phosphide|MAGNAPHOS TABLETS: Active Ingredient 66.0% Magnesium phosphide|For more Formulations/Preparations (Complete) data for Magnesium phosphide (11 total), please visit the HSDB record page.

Magnesium phosphide (Mg3P2): ACTIVE|... Magnesium phosphide reacts with the moisture in the atmosphere to produce phosphine gas which is the substance that is active as a pesticide.|The annual world production of aluminum phosphide and magnesium phosphide together amounts to approximately 3,000 tons.

Agrochemicals -> Insecticides, Rodenticides|Fire Hazards -> Flammable - 3rd degree, Reactive - 2nd degree