Phosphine

On This Page

Overview
NIOSH Chemical Resources
Related NIOSH Resources
Selected Publications
Related Resources
International Resources

Overview

CAS No. 7803-51-2

Phosphine (PH₃) is a colorless, flammable, and explosive gas at room temperature that smells like garlic or decaying fish. Exposure to phosphine may cause, nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, diarrhea, thirst, muscle pain, difficulty breathing, and fluid in the lungs. Higher exposures and long-term exposure may cause serious harm. Workers may be harmed from exposure to phosphine. The level of exposure depends upon the dose, duration, and work being done.

Phosphine is used in many industries. It’s used to kill insects and rodents in stored grain and tobacco. Some examples of workers at risk of being exposed to phosphine include the following:

Factory workers that make electronics
Workers in plants that make rat poison
Pest control workers who use it to control for rats

NIOSH recommends that employers use Hierarchy of Controls to prevent injuries. If you work in an industry that uses phosphine, please read chemical labels and the accompanying Safety Data Sheets for hazard information. Visit NIOSH’s page on Managing Chemical Safety in the Workplace to learn more about controlling chemical workplace exposures.

The following resources provide information about occupational exposure to phosphine. Useful search terms for phosphine include “hydrogen phosphide,” “phosphorated hydrogen,” “phosphorus hydride,” and “phosphorus trihydride.”

NIOSH Chemical Resources

NIOSH Pocket Guide to Chemical Hazards

The NIOSH Pocket Guide to Chemical Hazards (NPG) helps workers, employers, and occupational health professionals recognize and control workplace chemical hazards.

Manual of Analytical Methods

The NIOSH Manual of Analytical Methods (NMAM) is a collection of methods for sampling and analysis of contaminants in workplace air, and in the blood and urine of workers who are occupationally exposed.

Health Hazard Evaluations

The Health Hazard Evaluation Program (HHE) conducts onsite investigations of possible worker exposure to chemicals. Search the HHE database for more information on chemical topics.

Related NIOSH Resources

NIOSHTIC-2 search results for phosphine—NIOSHTIC-2 is a searchable database of worker safety and health publications, documents, grant reports, and journal articles supported in whole or in part by NIOSH.
NIOSH Worker Health Study Summaries—NIOSH conducts research to prevent illnesses and injuries in the workplace.

Selected Publications

Emergency Response Safety and Health Database: Phosphine—The Emergency Response Safety and Health Database contains accurate and concise information on high-priority chemical, biological and radiological agents that could be encountered by personnel responding to a terrorist event.
NIOSH Alert: Preventing Phosphine Poisoning and Explosions During Fumigation—DHHS (NIOSH) No. 99-126. This case shows the hazards to workers who handle or work near phosphide fumigants.
Documentation for Immediately Dangerous to Life or Health (IDLH) Concentrations: Phosphine—The IDLH documents the criteria and information sources that have been used by NIOSH to determine immediately dangerous to life or health concentrations.
Occupational Safety and Health Guideline for Phosphinepdf icon—This guideline helps stakeholders conduct effective occupational safety and health programs.

Related Resources

International Resources

Page last reviewed: June 22, 2019

Content source: National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health