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Phosphine
May 1994
Immediately Dangerous to Life or Health Concentrations (IDLH)
CAS number: 7803–51–2
NIOSH REL: 0.3 ppm (0.4 mg/m3) TWA, 1 ppm (1 mg/m3) STEL
Current OSHA PEL: 0.3 ppm (0.4 mg/m3) TWA
1989 OSHA PEL: 0.3 ppm (0.4 mg/m3) TWA, 1 ppm (1 mg/m3) STEL
1993-1994 ACGIH TLV: 0.3 ppm (0.42 mg/m3) TWA, 1 ppm (1.4 mg/m3) STEL
Description of substance: Colorless gas with a fish- or garlic-like odor.
LEL: . . 1.79% (10% LEL, 1,790 ppm)
Original (SCP) IDLH: 200 ppm
Basis for original (SCP) IDLH: The chosen IDLH is based on the statement by Patty [1963] that 290 to 430 ppm is dangerous to life after 1 hour, and 100 to 200 ppm is the maximum amount for 0.5 to 1 hour [Henderson and Haggard 1943].
Short-term exposure guidelines: None developed
ACUTE TOXICITY DATA:
Lethal concentration data:
| Species | Reference | LC50 (ppm) | LCLo (ppm) | Time | Adjusted 0.5-hr LC (CF) | Derived value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mammal | Flury 1928 | —– | 1,000 | 5 min | 550 ppm (0.55) | 55 ppm |
| Mouse | Izmerov et al. 1982 | —– | 270 | 2 hr | 431 ppm (1.6) | 43 ppm |
| G. pig | Izmerov et al. 1982 | —– | 100 | 4 hr | 200 ppm (2.0) | 20 ppm |
| Cat | Izmerov et al. 1982 | —– | 50 | 2 hr | 80 ppm (1.6) | 8.0 ppm |
| Rabbit | Schulz 1890 | —– | 2,500 | 20 min | 2,400 ppm (0.96) | 240 ppm |
| Human | Tab Biol Per 1933 | —– | 1,000 | 5 min | 550 ppm (0.55) | 55 ppm |
| Rat | Waritz & Brown 1975 | 11 | —– | 4 hr | 22 ppm (2.0) | 2.2 ppm |
Other human data: Symptoms such as diarrhea, nausea and vomiting, tightness of the chest, cough, headache, and dizziness have been reported in workers exposed intermittently to concentrations up to 35 ppm [Jones et al. 1964]. It has been stated that 290 to 430 ppm is dangerous to life after 1 hour, and 100 to 200 ppm is the maximum amount for 0.5 to 1 hour [Henderson and Haggard 1943].
| Revised IDLH: 50 ppmBasis for revised IDLH: The revised IDLH for phosphine is 50 ppm based on acute inhalation toxicity data in humans [Jones et al. 1964; Tab Biol Per 1933]. This may be a conservative value due to the lack of relevant acute toxicity data for workers exposed to concentrations above 35 ppm. |
REFERENCES:
1. Flury F [1928]. Moderne gewerbliche vergiftungen in pharmakologisch-toxikologischer hinsicht (Pharmacological-toxicological aspects of intoxicants in modern industry). Arch Exp Pathol Pharmakol 138:65-82 (translated).
2. Henderson Y, Haggard HW [1943]. Noxious gases. 2nd ed. New York, NY: Reinhold Publishing Corporation, p. 243.
3. Izmerov NF, Sanotsky IV, Sidorov KK [1982]. Toxicometric parameters of industrial toxic chemicals under single exposure. Moscow, Russia: Centre of International Projects, GKNT, p. 75.
4. Jones AT, Jones RC, Longley EO [1964]. Environmental and clinical aspects of bulk wheat fumigation with aluminum phosphide. Am Ind Hyg Assoc J 23:375-379.
5. Patty FA, ed. [1963]. Industrial hygiene and toxicology. 2nd rev. ed. Vol. II. Toxicology. New York, NY: Interscience Publishers, Inc., p. 884.
6. Schulz H [1890]. Uber phosphorwasserstoff. Arch Exp Pathol Pharmakol 27:314-335 (in German).
7. Tab Biol Per [1933]; 3:231 (in German).
8. Waritz RS, Brown RM [1975]. Acute and subacute inhalation toxicities of phosphine, phenylphosphine, and triphenylphosphine. Am Ind Hyg Assoc J 36:452-458.