Phosphine

RTECS #
SY7525000
CAS #
7803-51-2
See: NMAM or OSHA Methods
Updated
March 2019
Molecular Weight
34.00
Molecular Formula
H3P
Synonyms
Fosforowodor (Polish)
Gas-Ex-B
Hydrogen phosphide
Phosphine (ACGIH:OSHA)
Phosphorus hydride
Phosphorus trihydride
Phosphorwasserstoff (German)
RCRA waste number P096

Mutation Data and Reference

System TestRoute/Organism/TissueDoseReference
Cytogenetic Analysislymphocyte/human1400 ng/LSCIEAS 246,251,1989
micronucleus testinhalation/mouse5 ppm/6H/13W- intermittentEMMUEG 24,81,1994

Acute Toxicity Data and References

Route/OrganismDoseEffectReference
In Vitro/Human, liver tumor Inhibitor Concentration Low: 10 mmol/L/1HIn Vitro Toxicity Studies: Cell Viability (cell death), unspecified assayTOLED5 196S,S312,2010
In Vitro/Human, liver tumor Inhibitor Concentration Low: 10 mmol/L/1HIn Vitro Toxicity Studies: Other assaysTOLED5 196S,S312,2010
inhalation/cat Lowest published lethal concentration: 70 mg/m3/2HVCVN5* -,66,1993
inhalation/guinea pig Lowest published lethal concentration: 139 mg/m3/4HVCVN5* -,66,1993
inhalation/human lowest published toxic concentration: 2 mg/m3Olfaction: Change in sensation of smellVCVN5* -,67,1993
inhalation/human Lowest published lethal concentration: 10 mg/m3Olfaction: Change in sensation of smellVCVN5* -,67,1993
inhalation/human Lowest published lethal concentration: 1000 ppm/5MTABIA2 3,231,1933
inhalation/mammal (species unspecified) Lowest published lethal concentration: 1000 ppm/5MAEPPAE 138,65,1928
inhalation/man lowest published toxic concentration: 2.7 ppm/20MBehavioral: Headache

Lung, Thorax, or Respiration: Cough

Gastrointestinal: Hypermotility, diarrhea
JTCTDW 39,165,2001
inhalation/mouse Lowest published lethal concentration: 380 mg/m3/1HVCVN5* -,66,1993
inhalation/mouse Lowest published lethal concentration: 760 mg/m3/35MVCVN5* -,66,1993
inhalation/mouse Lowest published lethal concentration: 380 mg/m3/2H85GMAT -,75,1982
inhalation/rabbit Lowest published lethal concentration: 2500 ppm/20MAEXPBL 27,314,1890
inhalation/rabbit Lowest published lethal concentration: 139 mg/m3/4HVCVN5* -,66,1993
inhalation/rat lethal concentration (50 percent kill): 11 ppm/4HLung, Thorax, or Respiration: DyspneaAIHAAP 36,452,1975
inhalation/rat Lowest published lethal concentration: 140 mg/m3/4HVCVN5* -,66,1993
inhalation/woman lowest published toxic concentration: 2.7 ppm/20MBehavioral: Headache

Lung, Thorax, or Respiration: Cough

Gastrointestinal: Hypermotility, diarrhea
JTCTDW 39,165,2001
inhalation/woman lowest published toxic concentration: 242 ppm/30MBehavioral: Muscle weakness

Behavioral: Headache
TIHEEC 18,71,2002
intraperitoneal/rat lowest published toxic dose: 4 mg/kgBiochemical: Enzyme inhibition, induction, or change in blood or tissue levels: Multiple enzyme effects

Biochemical: Metabolism (intermediary): Lipids including transport

Biochemical: Metabolism (intermediary): Other proteins
TXCYAC 179,1,2002
intraperitoneal/rat lowest published toxic dose: 4 mg/kgCardiac: Other changes

Kidney, Ureter, and Bladder: Other changes

Biochemical: Enzyme inhibition, induction, or change in blood or tissue levels: Catalases
TOXID9 60,45,2001
intraperitoneal/rat lowest published toxic dose: 4 mg/kgBiochemical: Enzyme inhibition, induction, or change in blood or tissue levels: Other oxidoreductases

Biochemical: Metabolism (intermediary): Lipids including transport
TOXID9 60,45,2001

Other Multiple Dose Data and References

Route/OrganismDoseEffectReference
inhalation/cat lowest published toxic concentration: 14 mg/m3/7H/2D- intermittentRelated to Chronic Data: Death in the "MULTIPLE DOSE" data type fieldVCVN5* -,67,1989
inhalation/mouse lowest published toxic concentration: 10 ppm/4H/4D- intermittentKidney, Ureter, and Bladder: Changes in tubules (including acute renal failure, acute tubular necrosis)

Blood: Changes in leukocyte (WBC) count

Biochemical: Enzyme inhibition, induction, or change in blood or tissue levels: Transaminases
INHTE5 7,225,1995
inhalation/mouse lowest published toxic concentration: 5 ppm/4H/2W- intermittentCardiac: Changes in heart weight

Lung, Thorax, or Respiration: Changes in lung weight

Blood: Changes in serum composition (e.g. TP, bilirubin, cholesterol)
INHTE5 7,225,1995
inhalation/mouse lowest published toxic concentration: 5 ppm/6H/4W- intermittentOlfaction: Other olfaction effects

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

Kidney, Ureter, and Bladder: Changes in bladder weight
JOCHFV 38,36,1996
inhalation/rabbit lowest published toxic concentration: 14 mg/m3/7H/2D- intermittentRelated to Chronic Data: Death in the "MULTIPLE DOSE" data type fieldVCVN5* -,67,1989
inhalation/rat lowest published toxic concentration: 200 µg/m3/24H/6W- continuousBrain and Coverings: Recordings from specific areas of CNS

Blood: Pigmented or nucleated red blood cells

Blood: Changes in serum composition (e.g. TP, bilirubin, cholesterol)
GISAAA 49(1),13,1984
inhalation/rat lowest published toxic concentration: 3100 ppb/6H/13W- intermittentBlood: Pigmented or nucleated red blood cells

Blood: Changes in erythrocyte (RBC) count

Blood: Changes in platelet count
INHTE5 5,223,1993
inhalation/rat lowest published toxic concentration: 10 ppm/4H/4D- intermittentRelated to Chronic Data: Death in the "MULTIPLE DOSE" data type fieldINHTE5 7,225,1995
inhalation/rat lowest published toxic concentration: 5 ppm/4H/2W- intermittentCardiac: Changes in heart weight

Lung, Thorax, or Respiration: Changes in lung weight

Liver: Changes in liver weight
INHTE5 7,225,1995

Reviews

OrganizationStandardReference
American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH)Threshold Limit Value-time-weighted average 0.3 ppm;short term exposure limit 1 ppmDTLVS* TLV/BEI,2013
TOXICOLOGY REVIEWAQMOAC #73-19,1973
TOXICOLOGY REVIEWNTIS** AD778-725
TOXICOLOGY REVIEWTIHEEC 18,71,2002
TOXICOLOGY REVIEWFSINDR 166,190,2007
TOXICOLOGY REVIEWHUTOX* -,661,1996
TOXICOLOGY REVIEWHUTOX* -,515,1996
TOXICOLOGY REVIEWHUTOX* -,561,1996
TOXICOLOGY REVIEWMUREAV 543,251,2003
TOXICOLOGY REVIEWMUTAEX 22,161,2007
TOXICOLOGY REVIEWMUTAEX 26,19,2011
TOXICOLOGY REVIEWRTOPDW 54,247,2009
TOXICOLOGY REVIEWVETODR ,215,2018

Standards and Regulations

OrganizationStandardReference
Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) STANDARD-airtime-weighted average 0.3 ppm (0.4 mg/m3)DTLVS* 3,209,1971
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 0.3 ppm (0.4 mg/m3), JAN1993
Occupational Exposure Limit-AUSTRALIAtime-weighted average 0.3 ppm (0.42 mg/m3), short term exposure limit 1 ppm (1.4 mg/m3), JUL2008
Occupational Exposure Limit-AUSTRIAMAK-TMW 0.1 ppm (0.15 mg/m3);KZW 0.2 ppm (0.3 mg/m3), 2007
Occupational Exposure Limit-BELGIUMtime-weighted average 0.1 ppm (0.14 mg/m3), MAR2002
Occupational Exposure Limit-BELGIUMshort term exposure limit 0.2 ppm (0.28 mg/m3), MAR2002
Occupational Exposure Limit-DENMARKtime-weighted average 0.1 ppm (0.15 mg/m3), MAY2011
Occupational Exposure Limit-ECtime-weighted average 0.14 mg/m3 (0.1 ppm);short term exposure limit 0.28 mg/m3 (0.2 ppm), FEB2006
Occupational Exposure Limit-FINLANDtime-weighted average 0.1 ppm (0.14 mg/m3), short term exposure limit 0.2 ppm (0.28 mg/m3), NOV2011
Occupational Exposure Limit-FRANCEVME 0.1 ppm (0.13 mg/m3), VLE 0.3 ppm (0.4 mg/m3), FEB2006
Occupational Exposure Limit-GERMANYMAK 0.1 ppm (0.14 mg/m3), 2011
Occupational Exposure Limit-HUNGARYtime-weighted average 0.14 mg/m3, short term exposure limit 0.14 mg/m3, SEP2000
Occupational Exposure Limit-ICELANDtime-weighted average 0.1 ppm (0.14 mg/m3), short term exposure limit 0.2 ppm (0.28 mg/m3), NOV2011
Occupational Exposure Limit-JAPANceiling concentration 0.3 ppm (0.42 mg/m3), MAY2012
Occupational Exposure Limit-KOREAtime-weighted average 0.3 ppm (0.4 mg/m3), short term exposure limit 1 ppm (1 mg/m3), 2006
Occupational Exposure Limit-MEXICOtime-weighted average 0.3 ppm (0.4 mg/m3);short term exposure limit 1 ppm (1 mg/m3), 2004
Occupational Exposure Limit-NEW ZEALANDtime-weighted average 0.3 ppm (0.42 mg/m3), short term exposure limit 1 ppm (1.4 mg/m3), JAN2002
Occupational Exposure Limit-NORWAYtime-weighted average 0.1 ppm (0.15 mg/m3), JAN1999
Occupational Exposure Limit-PERUtime-weighted average 0,3 ppm (0,42 mg/m3); short term exposure limit 1 ppm (1,39 mg/m3), JUL2005
Occupational Exposure Limit-POLANDMAC(time-weighted average) 0.1 mg/m3, MAC(short term exposure limit) 0.8 mg/m3, JAN1999
Occupational Exposure Limit-RUSSIAshort term exposure limit 0.1 mg/m3, JUN2003
Occupational Exposure Limit-SWEDENtime-weighted average 0.3 ppm (0.4 mg/m3);short term exposure limit 1 ppm (1.4 mg/m3), JUN2005
Occupational Exposure Limit-SWITZERLANDMAK-week 0.1 ppm (0.15 mg/m3), KZG-week 0.2 ppm (0.3 mg/m3), JAN2011
Occupational Exposure Limit-THAILANDtime-weighted average 0.3 ppm (0.4 mg/m3), JAN1993
Occupational Exposure Limit-THE NETHERLANDSMAC-TGG 0.4 mg/m3, 2003
Occupational Exposure Limit-THE PHILIPPINEStime-weighted average 0.3 ppm (0.4 mg/m3), JAN1993
Occupational Exposure Limit-TURKEYtime-weighted average 0.3 ppm (0.4 mg/m3), JAN1993
Occupational Exposure Limit-UNITED KINGDOMtime-weighted average 0.1 ppm (0.14 mg/m3);short term exposure limit 0.2 ppm (0.28 mg/m3), OCT2007
Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) Permissible Exposure Limit (Construction)8H time-weighted average 0.3 ppm (0.4 mg/m3)CFRGBR 29,1926.55,1994
Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) Permissible Exposure Limit (Federal Contractors)8H time-weighted average 0.3 ppm (0.4 mg/m3)CFRGBR 41,50-204.50,1994
Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) Permissible Exposure Limit (General Industry)8H time-weighted average 0.3 ppm (0.4 mg/m3)CFRGBR 29,1910.1000,1994
Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) Permissible Exposure Limit (Shipyards)8H time-weighted average 0.3 ppm (0.4 mg/m3)CFRGBR 29,1915.1000,1993

NIOSH Documentation and Surveillance

OrganizationStandardReference
National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) Recommended Exposure Level TO PHOSPHINE-air10H time-weighted average 0.3 ppm;short term exposure limit 1.0 ppmNIOSH* DHHS #92-100,1992

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: Phosphine, 6002
On EPA IRIS database
OSHA ANALYTICAL METHOD #ID180
Page last reviewed: November 16, 2018