Sodium phosphide

Metals -> Phosphides

Flammable agents - 3rd degree

Red solid

Gray hexagonal crystals

Sodium phosphide appears as a red solid.

Red or grey solid; [HSDB]

Excerpt from ERG Guide 139 [Substances - Water-Reactive (Emitting Flammable and Toxic Gases)]:

· Produce flammable and toxic gases on contact with water.

Flammable when exposed to heat or flame.

... Reacts with water to form sodium hydroxide, a corrosive material, and phosphine, a flammable poison gas. Phosphine will normally ignite spontaneously in contact with air. If there is an excess of water, this fire of phosphine will not normally ignite surrounding combustible material.

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.

· CALL 911. Then call emergency response telephone number on shipping paper. If shipping paper not available or no answer, refer to appropriate telephone number listed on the inside back cover.

· ELIMINATE all ignition sources (no smoking, flares, sparks or flames) from immediate area.

Excerpt from ERG Guide 139 [Substances - Water-Reactive (Emitting Flammable and Toxic Gases)]:

General First Aid:

· Wear positive pressure self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA).

TIH (Toxic Inhalation Hazard) - Term used to describe gases and volatile liquids that are toxic when inhaled. Some are TIH materials themselves, e.g., chlorine, and some release TIH gases when spilled in water, e.g., chlorosilanes. [ERG 2016].

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.

If material not on fire and not involved in fire: Do not use water. Keep sparks, flames, and other sources of ignition away. Keep material out of water sources and sewers. Keep material dry.

Avoid breathing dusts and fumes from burning material. Keep upwind. Avoid bodily contact with the material ... Wash away any material which may have contacted the body with copious amounts of water or soap and water.

Excerpt from ERG Guide 139 [Substances - Water-Reactive (Emitting Flammable and Toxic Gases)]:

Immediate precautionary measure

When spilled in water

When spilled in water

0.75 [ppm]

8.2 [ppm]

15 [ppm]

Excerpt from ERG Guide 139 [Substances - Water-Reactive (Emitting Flammable and Toxic Gases)]:

Wear appropriate chemical protective gloves, boots, and goggles ... Do not handle broken packages unless wearing appropriate personal protective equipment ... Wear positive pressure self-contained breathing apparatus when fighting fires involving this material. If contact with the material anticipated, wear appropriate chemical protective clothing.

Inhalation of phosphine may cause severe pulmonary irritation leading to acute pulmonary oedema, cardiovascular dysfunction, CNS excitation, coma and death. Gastrointestinal disorders, renal damage and leukopenia may also occur. Chronic exposure to phosphine can result in anemia, bronchitis, gastrointestinal effects, and visual, speech and motor problems. (L980, L982)

Phosphine inhibits cytochrome c oxidase, preventing mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation. This non-competitive inhibition prevents cellular respiration and leads to multi-organ dysfunction. Phosphine can also react with hydrogen peroxide to form the highly reactive hydroxyl radical, which can cause lipid peroxidation. (A291, A292)

Early symptoms of acute phosphine intoxication include pain in the diaphragm, nausea, vomiting, excitement, and a phosphorus smell on the breath. Higher levels can cause weakness, bronchitis, pulmonary edema, shortness of breath, convulsions, and death. Some effects, such as pulmonary edema, convulsions, and liver injury, may appear or continue to be present days after an exposure. Ingestion of metal phosphides results in release of phosphine in your stomach which can cause nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, and diarrhea. (L980)

/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 gas. 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 gas. ... 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.

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/

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 ... . Anticipate seizures and treat if necessary ... . For eye contamination, flush eyes immediately with water. Irrigate each eye continuously with 0.9% saline (NS) during transport ... . /Phosphine 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 ... . Treat seizures with diazepam or lorazepam ... . Use proparacaine hydrochloride to assist eye irrigation ... . /Phosphine and Related Compounds/

Sodium phosphide

A Commercial Grade

A Placarded Amount

Chemical or material that can be mixed with readily available materials.

Phosphine and metal phosphides may be absorbed following ingestion or inhalation, then distribute to the nervous system, liver, and kidney. In the body, metal phosphides are hydrolysed to phosphine, and phosphine is oxidized to hypophosphite and phosphite. Metabolites are excreted in the urine, while unchanged phosphine is exhaled. (L982)

Used in various chemical reactions, as a catalyst, and for polymer production; [HSDB]

Used in many chemical reactions requiring a highly reactive phosphide anion; used as a catalyst ... for polymer production

Sodium phosphide is used as a reagent in the production of other chemicals and as a catalyst in the formation of polymers. (L988)

The simplest method of production is direct combination of the elements at elevated temperature. White, red, or gaseous phosphorus can be used. Some phosphides can be prepared by reaction of phosphine with metals or their salts. Metallic phosphides can also be prepared by the electrothermal reduction of metal oxides in the presence of carbon and phosphates. /Phosphides/