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Phosphorus chloride

RTECS #
TH3675000
CAS #
7719-12-2
See: NMAM or OSHA Methods
Updated
September 2013
Molecular Weight
137.32
Molecular Formula
Cl3P
Synonyms
Fosforo(tricloruro di) (Italian)
Fosfortrichloride (Dutch)
Phosphine, trichloro-
Phosphore(trichlorure de) (French)
Phosphorous chloride
Phosphortrichlorid (German)
Phosphorus trichloride
Phosphorus trichloride (ACGIH:OSHA)
Trichlorophosphine
Trojchlorek fosforu (Polish)

Acute Toxicity Data and References

Route/OrganismDoseEffectReference
inhalation/cat lowest published toxic concentration: 40 mg/m3/6HLung, Thorax, or Respiration: Cough

Eye: Conjunctiva irritation
VCVN5* -,71,1993
inhalation/cat lowest published toxic concentration: 10 mg/m3/1HLung, Thorax, or Respiration: Respiratory depressionVCVN5* -,71,1993
inhalation/cat Lowest published lethal concentration: 500 mg/m3VCVN5* -,71,1993
inhalation/guinea pig lethal concentration (50 percent kill): 50 ppm/4HEye: Other eye effects

Behavioral: Irritability

Lung, Thorax, or Respiration: Dyspnea
AIHAAP 25,470,1964
inhalation/guinea pig lethal concentration (50 percent kill): 63.5 mg/m3VCVN5* -,71,1993
inhalation/rabbit Lowest published lethal concentration: 3500 mg/m3VCVN5* -,71,1993
inhalation/rat lowest published toxic concentration: 0.005 gm/m3Skin: After systemic exposure: Dermatitis, irritativeTPKVAL 13,107,1973
inhalation/rat Lowest published lethal concentration: 0.31 gm/m3TPKVAL 13,107,1973
inhalation/rat Lowest published lethal concentration: 0.14 gm/m3Eye: Lacrimation

Eye: Corneal damage

Behavioral: Somnolence (general depressed activity)
TPKVAL 13,107,1973
inhalation/rat lethal concentration (50 percent kill): 104 ppm/4HLung, Thorax, or Respiration: Structural or functional change in trachea or bronchi

Lung, Thorax, or Respiration: Other changes

Blood: Hemorrhage
AIHAAP 25,470,1964
inhalation/rat lethal concentration (50 percent kill): 132 mg/m3VCVN5* -,71,1993
ocular/rabbit lowest published toxic dose: 100 pphLung, Thorax, or Respiration: Respiratory stimulationTPKVAL 13,107,1973
oral/mammal (species unspecified) lethal dose (50 percent kill): 350 mg/kgGISAAA 39(4),86,1974
oral/rat lowest published lethal dose: 675 mg/kgTPKVAL 13,107,1973
oral/rat lethal dose (50 percent kill): 18 mg/kgBehavioral: Food intake (animal)

Lung, Thorax, or Respiration: Chronic pulmonary edema or congestion

Gastrointestinal: Peritonitis
ATDAEI 1,71,1990
oral/rat lethal dose (16 percent kill): 430 mg/kgLung, Thorax, or Respiration: Respiratory depression

Gastrointestinal: Ulceration or bleeding from stomach

Liver: Other changes
TPKVAL 13,107,1973
oral/rat lethal dose (50 percent kill): 550 mg/kgTPKVAL 13,107,1973
skin/mouse lowest published toxic dose: 100 pph/5MTPKVAL 13,107,1973
skin/rabbit lowest published lethal dose: 1260 mg/kgBehavioral: Muscle weakness

Liver: Change in gall bladder structure or function

Blood: Other changes
ATDAEI 1,71,1990

Reviews

OrganizationStandardReference
American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH)Threshold Limit Value-time-weighted average 0.2 ppm;short term exposure limit 0.5 ppmDTLVS* TLV/BEI,2013
TOXICOLOGY REVIEWFCTOD7 47,1287,2009

Standards and Regulations

OrganizationStandardReference
Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) STANDARD-airtime-weighted average 0.5 ppm (3 mg/m3)DTLVS* 3,211,1971
Occupational Exposure Limit IN ARGENTINA, BULGARIA, COLOMBIA, JORDAN check ACGIH TLV;
Occupational Exposure Limit IN SINGAPORE, VIETNAM check ACGIH TLV
Occupational Exposure Limit-ARAB Republic of Egypttime-weighted average 0.5 ppm (3 mg/m3), JAN1993
Occupational Exposure Limit-AUSTRALIAtime-weighted average 0.2 ppm (1.1 mg/m3), short term exposure limit 0.5 ppm (2.8 mg/m3), JUL2008
Occupational Exposure Limit-AUSTRIAMAK-TMW 0.25 ppm (1.5 mg/m3);KZW 0.5 ppm (3 mg/m3), 2007
Occupational Exposure Limit-BELGIUMtime-weighted average 0.2 ppm(1.1 mg/m3), short term exposure limit 0.5 ppm(2.8 mg/m3), MAR2002
Occupational Exposure Limit-DENMARKtime-weighted average 0.2 ppm (1.2 mg/m3), MAY2011
Occupational Exposure Limit-FINLANDshort term exposure limit 0.5 ppm (2.8 mg/m3), NOV2011
Occupational Exposure Limit-FRANCEVME 0.2 ppm (1.5 mg/m3), FEB2006
Occupational Exposure Limit-GERMANYMAK 0.5 ppm (2.8 mg/m3), 2011
Occupational Exposure Limit-HUNGARYtime-weighted average 3 mg/m3, short term exposure limit 3 mg/m3, SEP2000
Occupational Exposure Limit-ICELANDtime-weighted average 0.2 ppm (1.2 mg/m3), NOV2011
Occupational Exposure Limit-JAPANOccupational Exposure Limit 0.2 ppm (1.1 mg/m3), MAY2012
Occupational Exposure Limit-KOREAtime-weighted average 0.2 ppm (1.5 mg/m3), short term exposure limit 0.5 ppm (3 mg/m3), 2006
Occupational Exposure Limit-MEXICOtime-weighted average 0.2 ppm (1.1 mg/m3), 2004
Occupational Exposure Limit-MEXICOtime-weighted average 0.5 ppm (2.8 mg/m3), 2004
Occupational Exposure Limit-NEW ZEALANDtime-weighted average 0.2 ppm (1.1 mg/m3), short term exposure limit 0.5 ppm (2.8 mg/m3), JAN2002
Occupational Exposure Limit-NORWAYtime-weighted average 0.2 ppm (1.5 mg/m3), JAN1999
Occupational Exposure Limit-PERUtime-weighted average 0,2 ppm (1,1 mg/m3); short term exposure limit 0,5 ppm (2,8 mg/m3), JUL2005
Occupational Exposure Limit-POLANDMAC(time-weighted average) 3 mg/m3, JAN1999
Occupational Exposure Limit-RUSSIAshort term exposure limit 0.2 mg/m3, Skin, JUN2003
Occupational Exposure Limit-SWEDENtime-weighted average 0.2 ppm (1.2 mg/m3);short term exposure limit 0.4 ppm (2.4 mg/m3), JUN2005
Occupational Exposure Limit-SWITZERLANDceiling concentration 0.25 ppm (1.5 mg/m3), JAN2011
Occupational Exposure Limit-THE NETHERLANDSMAC-TGG 1.5 mg/m3, 2003
Occupational Exposure Limit-THE PHILIPPINEStime-weighted average 0.5 ppm (3 mg/m3), JAN1993
Occupational Exposure Limit-TURKEYtime-weighted average 0.5 ppm (3 mg/m3), JAN1993
Occupational Exposure Limit-UNITED KINGDOMtime-weighted average 0.2 ppm (1.1 mg/m3);short term exposure limit 0.5 ppm (2.9 mg/m3), OCT2007
Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) Permissible Exposure Limit (Construction)8H time-weighted average 0.5 ppm (3 mg/m3)CFRGBR 29,1926.55,1994
Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) Permissible Exposure Limit (Federal Contractors)8H time-weighted average 0.5 ppm (3 mg/m3)CFRGBR 41,50-204.50,1994
Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) Permissible Exposure Limit (General Industry)8H time-weighted average 0.5 ppm (3 mg/m3)CFRGBR 29,1910.1000,1994
Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) Permissible Exposure Limit (Shipyards)8H time-weighted average 0.5 ppm (3 mg/m3)CFRGBR 29,1915.1000,1993

NIOSH Documentation and Surveillance

OrganizationStandardReference
National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) Recommended Exposure Level TO PHOSPHORUS TRICHLORIDE-air10H time-weighted average 0.2 ppm;short term exposure limit 0.5 ppmNIOSH* DHHS #92-100,1992
National Occupational Exposure Survey 1983Hazard Code 59166; Number of Industries 4; Total Number of Facilities 96; Number of Occupations 6; Total Number of Employees Exposed 2963; Total Number of Female Employees Exposed 329
National Occupational Hazard Survey 1974Hazard Code 59166; Number of Industries 4; Total Number of Facilities 149; Number of Occupations 12; Total Number of Employees Exposed 2520

Status in Federal Agencies

OrganizationReference
EPA TSCA Section 8(b) CHEMICAL INVENTORY
EPA TSCA Section 8(d) unpublished health/safety studies
EPA TSCA TEST SUBMISSION (TSCATS) DATA BASE, JANUARY 2001
NIOSH Analytical Method, 1994: Phosphorus trichloride, 6402
Page last reviewed: November 16, 2018