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Appearance and Odor: Aluminum phosphide has a greenish -gray color and the hydrogen phosphide (phosphine, PH3) gas produced by these chemicals has an odor described as similar to garlic, carbide or decaying fish. Specific Gravity: AIP 2.85 Melting Point: Al > 1000°C PH3 -133.5°C SECTION IV — FIRE AND EXPLOSION HAZARD DATA Flash Point: Aluminum phosphide, itself is not flammable. However, it will react readily with water to produce hydrogen phosphide (phosphine, PH3) gas which may ignite spontaneously in air at concentrations above its LEL of 1.8% v/v. UEL of hydrogen phosphide is not known. Extinguishing Media: Suffocate flames with sand, carbon dioxide or dry extinguishing chemicals. Special Fire Fighting Procedures: Do not use water on metal phosphide fires. Respiratory Protection: Wear NIOSH/MSHA approved SCBA or equivalent respiratory protection. Protective Clothing: Wear gloves when handling Aluminum Phosphide tablets, pellets or dust. Unusual Fire and Explosion Hazards: Hydrogen phosphide -air mixtures at concentrations above the lower flammable limit of 1.8% v/v, PH3 may ignite spontaneously. Ignition of high concentrations of hydrogen phosphide can produce a very energetic reaction. Explosions can occur under these conditions and may cause severe personal injury. Never allow the buildup of hydrogen phosphide to exceed explosive concentrations. Open containers of metal phosphides in open air only and never in a flammable atmosphere. Do not confine spent or partially spent dust from metal phosphide fumigants as the slow release of hydrogen phosphide from these materials may result in the formation of an explosive atmosphere. Spontaneous ignition may occur if large quantities of aluminum phosphide are piled in contact with liquid water. This is particularly true if quantities of this material are placed in moist or spoiled grain which can provide partial confinement of the hydrogen phosphide gas liberated by hydrolysis. Fires containing hydrogen phosphide or metal phosphides will produce phosphoric acid by the following reaction: 2PH3 + 402 — 3H2O = P205—2H3PO4 SECTION V — REACTIVITY DATA Stability: Aluminum phosphide is stable to most chemical reactions, except for hydrolysis. It will react with moist air, liquid water, acids and some other liquids to produce toxic and flammable hydrogen phosphide gas. Hydrogen phosphide may react vigorously with oxygen and other oxidizing agents. Incompatibility: Avoid contact with water and oxidizing agents. Corrosion: Hydrogen phosphide gas may react with certain metals and cause corrosion, especially at higher temperatures and relative humidities. Metals such as copper, brass and other copper alloys, and precious metals such as gold and silver are susceptible to corrosion by phosphine. Small electric motors, smoke detectors, brass sprinkler heads, batteries and battery chargers, fork lifts, temperature monitoring systems, switching gears, communication devices, computers, calculators and other electrical equipment may be damaged by this gas. Hydrogen phosphide will also react with certain metallic salts and, therefore, sensitive items such as photographic film, some inorganic pigments, etc., should not be exposed. Hazardous Polymerization: Will not occur. SECTION VI — HEALTH HAZARD INFORMATION Routes of Entry: The dermal toxicity of aluminum phosphide is very low. The LD50 via the dermal route is greater than 5,000 mg per kilogram for a 1 -hour exposure. Primary routes of exposure are inhalation and ingestion. Acute and Chronic Health Hazards: Aluminum Phosphide is a highly acute toxic substance. The LC50 for hydrogen phosphide gas is about 180 ppm for a 1 -hour inhalation exposure. The acute oral toxicity of the Aluminum Phosphide formulations was found to be 11.5 mg/kg of body weight. Aluminum phosphide and phosphine are not known to cause chronic poisoning.