Phosphane

Phosphane	Last updated: 17/07/2024
(Also known as: phosphamine; phosphorus trihydride)

SUMMARY

Data alerts

The following alerts are based on the data in the tables below. An absence of an alert does not imply the substance has no implications for human health, biodiversity or the environment but just that we do not have the data to form a judgement.

Environmental fate	Ecotoxicity	Human health
Environmental fate Low alert: Non-persistent; Potential for particle bound transport: Low Warning: Significant data are missing	Ecotoxicity High alert: Fish acute ecotoxicity: High Warning: Significant data are missing	Human health High alert: Mammals acute toxicity: High

GENERAL INFORMATION

Description

The major uses of phosphine are as a fumigant during the storage of agricultural products and against vertebrates. Often generated via the breakdown of other substances such as aluminium phosphide.

Example pests controlled

Bean weevil; Fruit moth; Grain beetle; Meal moth; Tobacco moth; Meal worm; Leaf beetle; Flour beetle; Pink bollworm; Maize weevil

Example applications

Stored grain; Stored animal feed; Leaf-stored tobacco; Cotton seed; Coffee; Cacoa; Tree nuts; Oilseeds

Efficacy & activity

Availability status

Current

Introduction & key dates

circa 1780, introduced

UK regulatory status

UK COPR regulatory status

Approved

Date COPR inclusion expires

31/03/2026

UK LERAP status

No UK approval for use as a pesticide

EC Regulation 1107/2009 (repealing 91/414)

EC Regulation 1107/2009 status

Approved

Dossier rapporteur/co-rapporteur

Spain/Germany

Date EC 1107/2009 inclusion expires

15/03/2026

EU Candidate for substitution (CfS)

Listed in EU database

Yes

Approved for use (✓) under EC 1107/2009 in the following EU Member States

ATAustria	BEBelgium	BGBulgaria	CYCyprus	CZCzech Republic	DEGermany	DKDenmark	EEEstonia	ELGreece
✓					✓
ESSpain	FIFinland	FRFrance	HRCroatia	HUHungary	IEIreland	ITItaly	LTLithuania	LULuxembourg

LVLatvia	MTMalta	NLNetherlands	PLPoland	PTPortugal	RORomania	SESweden	SISlovenia	SKSlovakia

Approved for use (✓) under EC 1107/2009 by Mutual Recognition of Authorisation and/or national regulations in the following EEA countries

ISIceland	NONorway

Additional information

Also used in

Chemical structure

Isomerism

None

Chemical formula

PH₃

Canonical SMILES

Isomeric SMILES

International Chemical Identifier key (InChIKey)

XYFCBTPGUUZFHI-UHFFFAOYSA-N

International Chemical Identifier (InChI)

InChI=1S/H3P/h1H3

2D structure diagram/image available?

Yes

General status

Pesticide type

Insecticide, Metabolite, Fumigant

Metabolite Type

Soil

Substance groups

Fumigant pesticide

Minimum active substance purity

985 g kg⁻¹

Known relevant impurities

EU dossier - arsane <0.027 g kg⁻¹

Substance origin

Synthetic

Mode of action

Nerve toxin with respiratory action, mitochondrial complex IV electron transport inhibitor

CAS RN

7803-51-2

EC number

232-260-8

CIPAC number

127

US EPA chemical code

066500

PubChem CID

24404

CLP index number

015-181-00-1

Molecular mass

34.0

PIN (Preferred Identification Name)

IUPAC name

phosphane

CAS name

phosphine

Other status information

Relevant Environmental Water Quality Standards

Herbicide Resistance Class (HRAC MoA class)

Not applicable

Herbicide Resistance Class (WSSA MoA class)

Not applicable

Insecticide Resistance Class (IRAC MoA class)

24A

Fungicide Resistance Class (FRAC MOA class)

Not applicable

Examples of recorded resistance

Physical state

Colourless, flammable gas

Related substances & organisms

zinc phosphide

magnesium phosphide

Can be a metabolite of:

Parent

Formation medium

Estimated maximum occurrence fraction

1107/2009 relevancy

calcium phosphide

Soil

1.00

Major fraction

magnesium phosphide

Soil

1.00

Major fraction

aluminium phosphide

Soil

1.00

Major fraction

calcium carbide

Soil

0.10

Major fraction

zinc phosphide

Soil

1.00

Major fraction

Formulations

Property

Value

Example manufacturers & suppliers of products using this active now or historically

Excel
Rentokil
Detia Degesch
Young II

Example products using this active

Fosfina
Gas EX-B
Detia Gas Ex-B

Formulation and application details

Fumigant

ENVIRONMENTAL FATE

Property

Value

Source; quality score; and other information

Interpretation

Solubility - In water at 20 °C (mg l⁻¹)

371

Moderate

Solubility - In organic solvents at 20 °C (mg l⁻¹)

695

Ethanol

2780

Ether

3970

Cyclohexanol

Melting point (°C)

-134

Boiling point (°C)

-87.7

Degradation point (°C)

Flashpoint (°C)

-15

(Ignition is due to presence of diphosphane)

Octanol-water partition coefficient at pH 7, 20 °C

5.37 X 10^-01

Calculated

Log P

-0.27

Low

Fat solubility of residues

Solubility

Data type

Density (g ml⁻¹)

1.512

Dissociation constant pKa) at 25 °C

Vapour pressure at 20 °C (mPa)

1.06 X 10⁰⁶

Highly volatile. If applied directly to plants or soil, drift is a concern & mitigation is advisable

Henry's law constant at 25 °C (Pa m³ mol⁻¹)

33269

Volatile

Volatilisation as max % of applied dose lost

From plant surface

From soil surface

Maximum UV-vis absorption L mol⁻¹ cm⁻¹

Surface tension (mN m⁻¹)

Degradation

Property

Value

Source; quality score; and other information

Interpretation

General biodegradability

Soil degradation (days) (aerobic)

DT₅₀ (typical)

0.2

Non-persistent

DT₅₀ (lab at 20 °C)

0.23

Non-persistent

DT₅₀ (field)

DT₉₀ (lab at 20 °C)

0.69

Non-persistent

DT₉₀ (field)

DT₅₀ modelling endpoint

Note

EU dossier lab studies DT₅₀ 0.22-0.24 days, sand, n=2; DT₉₀ estimated between 0.66-0.72 days

Dissipation rate RL₅₀ (days) on plant matrix

Value

Note

Dissipation rate RL₅₀ (days) on and in plant matrix

Value

Note

Aqueous photolysis DT₅₀ (days) at pH 7

Value

Note

Not relevant

Aqueous hydrolysis DT₅₀ (days) at 20 °C and pH 7

Value

Very rapid

Note

1 to 1.5 days at pH 4, 7 and 9, 20 °C

Water-sediment DT₅₀ (days)

Water phase only DT₅₀ (days)

Air degradation

As this parameter is not normally measured directly, a surrogate measure is used: ‘Photochemical oxidative DT₅₀’. Where data is available, this can be found in the Fate Indices section below.

Decay in stored produce DT₅₀

Soil adsorption and mobility

Property

Value

Source; quality score; and other information

Interpretation

Linear

K_d (mL g⁻¹)

K_oc (mL g⁻¹)

Notes and range

Freundlich

K_f (mL g⁻¹)

K_foc (mL g⁻¹)

¹/_n

Notes and range

pH sensitivity

Fate indices

Property

Value

Source; quality score; and other information

Interpretation

GUS leaching potential index

SCI-GROW groundwater index (μg l⁻¹) for a 1 kg ha⁻¹ or 1 l ha⁻¹ application rate

Value

Cannot be calculated

Note

Potential for particle bound transport index

Low

Calculated

Potential for loss via drain flow

Calculated

Photochemical oxidative DT₅₀ (hrs) as indicator of long-range air transport risk

28.0

Calculated using the Atkinson method

Below the level of concern for long-range air transport

Bio-concentration factor

BCF (l kg⁻¹)

1.16

Whole fish

Low potential

CT₅₀ (days)

Known soil metabolites

Metabolite

Major/Minor fraction

$Click here for further information on Major/Minor fraction$

Estimated maximum occurrence fraction

Notes

orthophosphate

Minor fraction

0.069

Known groundwater metabolites

None

Other known metabolites

Metabolite name and reference

Aliases

Formation medium / Rate

Estimated maximum occurrence fraction

hypophosphite

Human

phosphite

Human

ECOTOXICOLOGY

Terrestrial ecotoxicology

Property

Value

Source; quality score; and other information

Interpretation

Mammals - Acute oral LD₅₀ (mg kg⁻¹)

< 40

Rat as zinc phosphide

High

Mammals - Short term dietary NOEL

(mg kg⁻¹)

(ppm diet)

Mammals - Chronic 21d NOAEL (mg kg⁻¹ bw d⁻¹)

Birds - Acute LD₅₀ (mg kg⁻¹)

Birds - Short term dietary (LC₅₀/LD₅₀)

Birds - Chronic 21d NOEL (mg kg⁻¹ bw d⁻¹)

Earthworms - Acute 14 day LC₅₀ (mg kg⁻¹)

Earthworms - Chronic NOEC, reproduction (mg kg⁻¹)

Soil micro-organisms

Collembola

Acute LC₅₀ (mg kg⁻¹)

Chronic NOEC (mg kg⁻¹)

Non-target plants

Honeybees (Apis spp.)

Contact acute LD₅₀ (worst case from 24, 48 and 72 hour values - μg bee⁻¹)

Oral acute LD₅₀ (worst case from 24, 48 and 72 hour values - μg bee⁻¹)

Unknown mode acute LD₅₀ (worst case from 24, 48 and 72 hour values - μg bee⁻¹)

Chronic

Bumblebees (Bombus spp.)

Contact acute LD₅₀ (worst case from 24, 48 and 72 hour values - μg bee⁻¹)

Oral acute LD₅₀ (worst case from 24, 48 and 72 hour values - μg bee⁻¹)

Mason bees (Osmia spp.)

Contact acute LD₅₀ (worst case from 24, 48 and 72 hour values - μg bee⁻¹)

Oral acute LD₅₀ (worst case from 24, 48 and 72 hour values - μg bee⁻¹)

Other bee species (1)

Acute LD₅₀ (worst case from 24, 48 and 72 hour values - μg insect⁻¹)

Mode of exposure

Other bee species (2)

Acute LD₅₀ (worst case from 24, 48 and 72 hour values - μg insect⁻¹)

Mode of exposure

Beneficial insects (Ladybirds)

Beneficial insects (Lacewings)

Beneficial insects (Parasitic wasps)

Beneficial insects (Predatory mites)

Beneficial insects (Ground beetles)

Aquatic ecotoxicology

Property

Value

Source; quality score; and other information

Interpretation

Temperate Freshwater Fish - Acute 96 hour LC₅₀ (mg l⁻¹)

0.007

Oncorhynchus mykiss mean value

High

Temperate Freshwater Fish - Chronic 21 day NOEC (mg l⁻¹)

Tropical Freshwater Fish - Acute 96 hour LC₅₀ (mg l⁻¹)

Temperate Freshwater Aquatic invertebrates - Acute 48 hour EC₅₀ (mg l⁻¹)

0.2

Daphnia magna

Moderate

Temperate Freshwater Aquatic invertebrates - Chronic 21 day NOEC (mg l⁻¹)

Tropical Freshwater Aquatic invertebrates - Acute 48 hour EC₅₀ (mg l⁻¹)

Aquatic crustaceans - Acute 96 hour LC₅₀ (mg l⁻¹)

Sediment dwelling organisms - Acute 96 hour LC₅₀ (mg l⁻¹)

Sediment dwelling organisms - Chronic 28 day NOEC, static, water (mg l⁻¹)

Sediment dwelling organisms - Chronic 28 day NOEC, sediment (mg kg⁻¹)

Aquatic plants - Acute 7 day EC₅₀, biomass (mg l⁻¹)

Algae - Acute 72 hour EC₅₀, growth (mg l⁻¹)

Algae - Chronic 96 hour NOEC, growth (mg l⁻¹)

Mesocosm study data

NOEAEC mg l⁻¹

HUMAN HEALTH AND PROTECTION

General

Property

Value

Source; quality score; and other information

Interpretation

Threshold of Toxicological Concern (Cramer Class)

High (class III)

Mammals - Acute oral LD₅₀ (mg kg⁻¹)

< 40

Rat as zinc phosphide

High

Mammals - Dermal LD₅₀ (mg kg⁻¹ body weight)

Mammals - Inhalation LC₅₀ (mg l⁻¹)

> 11.0

Rat

Other Mammal toxicity endpoints

ADI - Acceptable Daily Intake (mg kg⁻¹ bw day⁻¹)

0.011

ARfD - Acute Reference Dose (mg kg⁻¹ bw day⁻¹)

0.019

AAOEL - Acute Acceptable Operator Exposure Level (mg kg⁻¹ bw day⁻¹)

0.02

Rat SF=100

AOEL - Acceptable Operator Exposure Level - Systemic (mg kg⁻¹ bw day⁻¹)

0.011

Dermal penetration studies (%)

Dangerous Substances Directive 76/464

Exposure Routes

Public

Occupational

May be fatal if inhaled, swallowed or absorbed through skin.

MRLs

European

EU MRL pesticide database

Great Britain

GB MRL Register

Notes

Drinking Water Standards

Drinking Water MAC (μg l⁻¹)

Mammalian dose elimination route and rate

Excreted mostly with expired air

Health issues

Specific human health issues

Carcinogen

Genotoxic

Endocrine disruptor

; ; ; ;

Reproduction / development effects

Acetyl cholinesterase inhibitor

Neurotoxicant

Respiratory tract irritant

Skin irritant

Skin sensitiser

No data found

Eye irritant

Phototoxicant

No data found

General human health issues

Inhalation may result in weakness, chest pain and tightness, dry mouth, cough, sickness
May cause pulmonary oedema
May cause oxidative stress

Handling issues

Property

Value and interpretation

General

Extremely flammable
Corrosive
Reacts violently with air, oxygen, halogens and other oxidants causing fire and explosion hazard
IMDG Transport Hazard Class 2.3

CLP classification 2013

Health: H330, H314
Handling; H280, H220

WHO Classification

Not classified: Fumigant (Not classified: Fumigant)

UN Number

UN2199

Waste disposal & packaging

Shelf-life, storage, stability and reactivity

TRANSLATIONS

Language

Name

English

phosphane

French

German

Phosphorwasserstoff

Danish

Italian

Spanish

Greek

Polish

fosforowodor

Swedish

Hungarian

Dutch

Norwegian

Record last updated:	17/07/2024
Contact:	aeru@herts.ac.uk
Please cite as:	Lewis, K.A., Tzilivakis, J., Warner, D. and Green, A. (2016) An international database for pesticide risk assessments and management. Human and Ecological Risk Assessment: An International Journal, 22(4), 1050-1064. DOI: 10.1080/10807039.2015.1133242