Phosphorus (white)

RTECS #
TH3500000
CAS #
7723-14-0
See: NMAM or OSHA Methods
Updated
December 2018
Molecular Weight
123.88
Molecular Formula
P4
Synonyms
Bonide blue death rat killer
Common sense cockroach and rat preparations
Fosforo bianco (Italian)
Gelber phosphor (German)
Phosphore blanc (French)
Phosphorous (white)
Phosphorous yellow
Phosphorus (yellow)
Phosphorus, yellow (ACGIH:OSHA)
Rat-Nip
Tetrafosfor (Dutch)
Tetraphosphor (German)
Weiss phosphor (German)
White phosphorus
Yellow phosphorus

Reproductive Effects Data and References

Route/OrganismDoseEffectReference
oral/rat 11 µg/kg (1-22D pregnant)Reproductive: Effects on fertility: Female fertility index (e.g., # females pregnant per # sperm positive females; # females pregnant per # females mated)

Reproductive: Effects on fertility: Post- implantation mortality (e.g., dead and/or resorbed implants per total number of implants)

Reproductive: Effects on fertility: Litter size (e.g., # fetuses per litter; measured before birth)
ZDKAA8 36(5),87,1976

Acute Toxicity Data and References

Route/OrganismDoseEffectReference
oral/cat lowest published lethal dose: 4 mg/kgYKYUA6 28,329,1977
oral/Dog lowest published lethal dose: 10 mg/kgYKYUA6 28,329,1977
oral/duck lowest published lethal dose: 3 mg/kgBehavioral: Somnolence (general depressed activity)

Behavioral: Convulsions or effect on seizure threshold

Behavioral: Muscle weakness
JAPMA8 39,151,1950
oral/duck lethal dose (50 percent kill): 6.55 mg/kgHBPTO* 2,1400,2001
oral/human lowest published lethal dose: 0.7 mg/kgHBPTO* 2,1402,2001
oral/human lethal dose (90 percent kill): 26 mg/kgHBPTO* 2,1402,2001
oral/infant lowest published lethal dose: 0.4 mg/kgHBPTO* 2,1402,2001
oral/mammal (species unspecified) lowest published lethal dose: 200 mg/kg28ZEAL 4,321,1969
oral/mouse lethal dose (50 percent kill): 4820 µg/kgBehavioral: Somnolence (general depressed activity)

Behavioral: Food intake (animal)

Lung, Thorax, or Respiration: Other changes
NTIS** AD-B011-150
oral/pig lowest published lethal dose: 160 mg/kg28ZEAL 4,321,1969
oral/rat lethal dose (50 percent kill): 3030 µg/kgBehavioral: Somnolence (general depressed activity)

Behavioral: Food intake (animal)

Lung, Thorax, or Respiration: Other changes
NTIS** AD-B011-150
oral/woman lowest published lethal dose: 22 mg/kgCardiac: Cardiomyopathy including infarctionAHJOA2 84,139,1972
oral/woman lowest published toxic dose: 11 mg/kgGastrointestinal: Hypermotility, diarrhea

Gastrointestinal: Nausea or vomiting

Nutritional and Gross Metabolic: Body temperature increase
AJMSA9 209,223,1944
oral/woman lowest published lethal dose: 4600 µg/kgLung, Thorax, or Respiration: Cyanosis

Gastrointestinal: Nausea or vomiting

Skin and Appendages: Other: Sweating
AIMDAP 83,164,1949
oral/woman lowest published toxic dose: 2600 µg/kgBehavioral: Fluid intake

Gastrointestinal: Hypermotility, diarrhea

Gastrointestinal: Nausea or vomiting
NEJMAG 232,247,1945
subcutaneous/Dog lowest published lethal dose: 2 mg/kgBehavioral: Food intake (animal)

Cardiac: Other changes

Liver: Fatty liver degeneration
AEXPBL 52,173,1905
subcutaneous/rabbit lowest published lethal dose: 10 mg/kgBehavioral: Muscle weakness

Endocrine: Hypoglycemia
AEXPBL 64,274,1911

Other Multiple Dose Data and References

Route/OrganismDoseEffectReference
inhalation/rabbit lowest published toxic concentration: 160 mg/m3/30M/60D- intermittentBlood: Pigmented or nucleated red blood cells

Blood: Changes in erythrocyte (RBC) count

Blood: Changes in leukocyte (WBC) count
FKIZA4 46,604,1955
oral/duck lowest published toxic dose: 14 mg/kg/14D- intermittentBehavioral: Somnolence (general depressed activity)

Liver: Fatty liver degeneration

Kidney, Ureter, and Bladder: Other changes
JAPMA8 39,151,1950
oral/guinea pig lowest published toxic dose: 105 mg/kg/35W- intermittentLiver: Hepatitis, fibrous (cirrhosis, post- necrotic scarring)

Liver: Change in gall bladder structure or function

Liver: Other changes
PSEBAA 67,351,1945
oral/rat lowest published toxic dose: 18 mg/kg/4W- intermittentLiver: Other changes

Biochemical: Enzyme inhibition, induction, or change in blood or tissue levels: Dehydrogenases

Biochemical: Enzyme inhibition, induction, or change in blood or tissue levels: Other enzymes
WDZAEK 4,206,1990
oral/rat lowest published toxic dose: 12 mg/kg/4D- intermittentLiver: Hepatitis (hepatocellular necrosis), diffuse

Blood: Changes in serum composition (e.g. TP, bilirubin, cholesterol)

Biochemical: Enzyme inhibition, induction, or change in blood or tissue levels: Transaminases
WDZAEK 4,4,1990
oral/rat lowest published toxic dose: 20800 µg/kg/16D- continuousMusculoskeletal: Other changesANREAK 177,15,1973
oral/rat lowest published toxic dose: 85 mg/m3/17W- intermittentLiver: Fatty liver degeneration

Liver: Hepatitis, fibrous (cirrhosis, post- necrotic scarring)

Biochemical: Enzyme inhibition, induction, or change in blood or tissue levels: Cytochrome oxidases (indlucing oxidative phosphrylation)
GTPZAB 26(9),17,1982
oral/rat lowest published toxic dose: 91 µg/kg/26W- intermittentBehavioral: Alteration of classical conditioning

Blood: Changes in serum composition (e.g. TP, bilirubin, cholesterol)

Biochemical: Enzyme inhibition, induction, or change in blood or tissue levels: True cholinesterase
GISAAA 44(5),74,1979
oral/rat lowest published toxic dose: 11088 µg/kg/22W- continuousNutritional and Gross Metabolic: Weight loss or decreased weight gainJPETAB 24,119,1925

Reviews

OrganizationStandardReference
American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH)Threshold Limit Value-time-weighted average 0.1 mg/m3DTLVS* TLV/BEI,2013
TOXICOLOGY REVIEWNTIS** AD778-725
TOXICOLOGY REVIEWDIMON* 39,678,1993
TOXICOLOGY REVIEWHUTOX* -,683,1996
TOXICOLOGY REVIEWHTOPA* 1,595,2002
TOXICOLOGY REVIEWCCACL* 21,719,2005
TOXICOLOGY REVIEWOSMPR* 102,433,2006
TOXICOLOGY REVIEWRTOPDW 54,294,2009

Standards and Regulations

OrganizationStandardReference
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA) 1988 PESTICIDE SUBJECT TO REGISTRATION OR RE-REGISTRATIONFEREAC 54,7740,1989
Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) STANDARD-airtime-weighted average 0.1 mg/m3DTLVS* 3,210,1971
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 0.1 mg/m3, JAN1993
Occupational Exposure Limit-AUSTRALIAtime-weighted average 0.1 mg/m3, JUL2008
Occupational Exposure Limit-AUSTRIAMAK-TMW 0.1 mg/m3;KZW 0.2 mg/m3, inhal, 2007
Occupational Exposure Limit-BELGIUMtime-weighted average 0.02 ppm (0.1 mg/m3), MAR2002
Occupational Exposure Limit-DENMARKtime-weighted average 0.1 mg/m3, MAY2011
Occupational Exposure Limit-FINLANDshort term exposure limit 0.1 mg/m3, NOV2011
Occupational Exposure Limit-FRANCEVME 0.1 mg/m3, VLE 0.3 mg/m3, FEB2006
Occupational Exposure Limit-GERMANYMAK 0.01 mg/m3, inhal, 2011
Occupational Exposure Limit-HUNGARYtime-weighted average 0.1 mg/m3, short term exposure limit 0.1 mg/m3, SEP2000
Occupational Exposure Limit-ICELANDtime-weighted average 0.1 mg/m3, NOV2011
Occupational Exposure Limit-JAPANOccupational Exposure Limit 0.1 mg/m3, MAY2012
Occupational Exposure Limit-KOREAtime-weighted average 0.1 mg/m3, 2006
Occupational Exposure Limit-MEXICOtime-weighted average 0.1 mg/m3;short term exposure limit 0.3 mg/m3, 2004
Occupational Exposure Limit-NEW ZEALANDtime-weighted average 0.1 mg/m3, JAN2002
Occupational Exposure Limit-POLANDMAC(time-weighted average) 0.3 mg/m3, JAN1993
Occupational Exposure Limit-RUSSIAtime-weighted average 0.03 mg/m3, short term exposure limit 0.1 mg/m3, JUN2003
Occupational Exposure Limit-SWITZERLANDMAK-week 0.05 mg/m3, KZG-week 0.1 mg/m3, inhal, JAN2011
Occupational Exposure Limit-THAILANDtime-weighted average 0.1 mg/m3, JAN1993
Occupational Exposure Limit-THE NETHERLANDSMAC-TGG 0.1 mg/m3, 2003
Occupational Exposure Limit-THE PHILIPPINEStime-weighted average 0.1 mg/m3, JAN1993
Occupational Exposure Limit-TURKEYtime-weighted average 0.1 mg/m3, JAN1993
Occupational Exposure Limit-UNITED KINGDOMtime-weighted average 0.1 mg/m3;short term exposure limit 0.3 mg/m3, OCT2007
Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) Permissible Exposure Limit (Construction)8H time-weighted average 0.1 mg/m3CFRGBR 29,1926.55,1994
Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) Permissible Exposure Limit (Federal Contractors)8H time-weighted average 0.1 mg/m3CFRGBR 41,50-204.50,1994
Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) Permissible Exposure Limit (General Industry)8H time-weighted average 0.1 mg/m3CFRGBR 29,1910.1000,1994
Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) Permissible Exposure Limit (Shipyards)8H time-weighted average 0.1 mg/m3CFRGBR 29,1915.1000,1993

NIOSH Documentation and Surveillance

OrganizationStandardReference
National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) Recommended Exposure Level TO PHOSPHORUS (YELLOW)-air10H time-weighted average 0.1 mg/m3NIOSH* DHHS #92-100,1992
National Occupational Exposure Survey 1983Hazard Code M0004; Number of Industries 1; Total Number of Facilities 75; Number of Occupations 1; Total Number of Employees Exposed 675; Total Number of Female Employees Exposed 225
National Occupational Exposure Survey 1983Hazard Code M0005; Number of Industries 1; Total Number of Facilities 6; Number of Occupations 1; Total Number of Employees Exposed 91; Total Number of Female Employees Exposed 6
National Occupational Exposure Survey 1983Hazard Code 81650; Number of Industries 104; Total Number of Facilities 12775; Number of Occupations 88; Total Number of Employees Exposed 208975; Total Number of Female Employees Exposed 7598
National Occupational Exposure Survey 1983Hazard Code 81684; Number of Industries 5; Total Number of Facilities 139; Number of Occupations 10; Total Number of Employees Exposed 2924; Total Number of Female Employees Exposed 67
National Occupational Hazard Survey 1974Hazard Code M0004; Number of Industries 2; Total Number of Facilities 38; Number of Occupations 3; Total Number of Employees Exposed 205
National Occupational Hazard Survey 1974Hazard Code M0005; Number of Industries 1; Total Number of Facilities 41; Number of Occupations 5; Total Number of Employees Exposed 626
National Occupational Hazard Survey 1974Hazard Code 81650; Number of Industries 19; Total Number of Facilities 1187; Number of Occupations 42; Total Number of Employees Exposed 13630
National Occupational Hazard Survey 1974Hazard Code 81684; Number of Industries 3; Total Number of Facilities 47; Number of Occupations 4; Total Number of Employees Exposed 261

Status in Federal Agencies

OrganizationReference
ATSDR TOXICOLOGY PROFILE (NTIS** PB/98/101090/AS)
EPA TSCA Section 8(b) CHEMICAL INVENTORY
EPA TSCA Section 8(d) unpublished health/safety studies
EPA TSCA Section 8(e) Risk Notification, 8EHQ-0892-9187
EPA TSCA TEST SUBMISSION (TSCATS) DATA BASE, JANUARY 2001
On EPA IRIS database
Page last reviewed: November 16, 2018