Phosphonic acid

Guidance on Safe Use

First-aid measures

Eyes: In case of contact, immediately flush eyes with plenty of water for at least 15 minutes. Get medical aid immediately.

Skin: In case of contact, immediately flush skin with plenty of water for at least 15 minutes while removing contaminated clothing and shoes. Get medical aid immediately. Wash clothing before reuse.

Ingestion: If swallowed, do NOT induce vomiting. Get medical aid immediately. If victim is fully conscious, give a cupful of water. Never give anything by mouth to an unconscious person.

Inhalation: If inhaled, remove to fresh air. If not breathing, give artificial respiration. If breathing is difficult, give oxygen. Get medical aid.

Notes to Physician: Treat symptomatically and supportively.

Fire-fighting measures

General Information: As in any fire, wear a self-contained breathing apparatus in pressure-demand, MSHA/NIOSH (approved or equivalent), and full protective gear. During a fire, irritating and highly toxic gases may be generated by thermal decomposition or combustion. Use water spray to keep fire-exposed containers cool. Substance is noncombustible. Contact with metals may evolve flammable hydrogen gas.

Extinguishing Media: Use extinguishing media most appropriate for the surrounding fire.

NFPA Rating: (estimated) Health: 3; Flammability: 0; Instability: 1

Accidental release measures

General Information: Use proper personal protective equipment as indicated in Section 8.

Spills/Leaks: Vacuum or sweep up material and place into a suitable disposal container. Clean up spills immediately, observing precautions in the Protective Equipment section. Avoid generating dusty conditions. Cover with sand, dry lime or soda ash and place in a closed container for disposal. Provide ventilation. Evacuate unnecessary personnel.

Handling and storage

Handling: Wash thoroughly after handling. Remove contaminated clothing and wash before reuse. Use with adequate ventilation. Minimize dust generation and accumulation. Do not breathe dust, vapor, mist, or gas. Do not get in eyes, on skin, or on clothing. Keep container tightly closed. Discard contaminated shoes. Do not use with metal spatula or other metal items.

Storage: Store in a tightly closed container. Store in a cool, dry, well-ventilated area away from incompatible substances, such as ALKALIS, OXIDIZER etc. Keep away from metals. Corrosives area. Do not store in metal containers. Storage under a nitrogen blanket has been recommended. Store protected from moisture.

Transport information

Land transport (UN RTDG/ADR/RID)

UN number:

2834

Shipping information

Proper shipping name and description:

PHOSPHOROUS ACID

Language:

English

Labels:

8

SpecialProvisions

Inland waterway transport (UN RTDG/ADN(R))

UN number:

2834

Shipping information

Proper shipping name and description:

PHOSPHOROUS ACID

Language:

English

Labels:

8

Remarks

Marine transport (UN RTDG/IMDG)

UN number:

2834

Shipping information

Proper shipping name and description:

PHOSPHOROUS ACID

Labels:

8

Remarks

Air transport (UN RTDG/ICAO/IATA)

UN number:

2834

Shipping information

Proper shipping name and description:

PHOSPHOROUS ACID

Labels:

8

Remarks

SpecialProvisions

Exposure controls / personal protection

Use only with application of the operational conditions and risk management measures as specified in the exposure scenarios.

1. Technical protection measures: Facilities storing or utilizing this material should be equipped with an eyewash facility and a safety shower within 10 meters of workstations. Use good ventilation to keep airborne concentrations low. Use closed apparatus if possible. If release of the substance cannot be prevented, then it should be suctioned off at the point of exit. Label containers and pipelines clearly.

2. Organisational protection measures: Take care to keep workplace clean and dry. The substance must not be present at workplaces in quantities above those required for work to be progressed. Do not leave container open. Use leak-proof equipment with exhaust for refilling or transfer. Avoid spillage. Fill only into labelled containers. Use acid resistant utensils. Avoid any contact when handling the substance. Use an appropriate exterior vessel when transporting in fragile containers.

Avoid dust formation. Dust formation that cannot be avoided must be collected regularly. Use a tested industrial vacuum cleaner or suction device. Do not raise dust while cleaning. Use of a blower for cleaning is not permitted. Only conduct maintenance and other work on or in the vessel or closed spaces after obtaining written permission.

Instruction on the hazards and the protective measures are required with signature. Instruction must be provided before employment and then at a minimum of once per annum thereafter.

An escape and rescue plan must be prepared when the location, scale, and use of the work-site so demand.

Workers under the age of 18 are not allowed to work with this substance.

Expectant and nursing mothers cannot be designated to work with this substance.

Foods, beverages and other articles of consumption must not be consumed at the work areas. Suitable areas are to be designated for these purposes. Avoid contact with skin. In case of contact wash skin. Avoid contact with eyes. In case of contact rinse the affected eye(s). Avoid inhalation of dust. Avoid contact with clothing. Contaminated clothes must be exchanged and cleaned carefully. Provide washrooms with showers and if possible rooms with separate storage for street clothing and work clothing. The skin must be washed with soap and water before breaks and at the end of work. Apply fatty skin-care products after washing.

3. Hand protection: Use protective gloves. The glove material must be sufficiently impermeable and resistant to the substance. Check the tightness before wear. Gloves should be well cleaned before being removed, then stored in a well ventilated location. Pay attention to skin care. Skin protection creams do not protect sufficiently against the substance. Textile or leather gloves are completely unsuitable.

The following materials are suitable for protective gloves (concentrations up to 75%, permeation time >= 8 hours):

Natural rubber/Natural latex - NR (0.5 mm) (use non-powdered and allergen free products)

Polychloroprene - CR (0.5 mm)

Nitrile rubber/Nitrile latex - NBR (0.35 mm)

Butyl rubber - Butyl (0.5 mm)

Fluoro carbon rubber - FKM (0.4 mm)

Polyvinyl chloride - PVC (0.5 mm)

The times listed are suggested by measurements taken at 22 °C and constant contact. Temperatures raised by warmed substances, body heat, etc. and a weakening of the effective layer thickness caused by expansion can lead to a significantly shorter breakthrough time. In case of doubt contact the gloves manufacturer. A 1.5-times increase / decrease in the layer thickness doubles / halves the breakthrough time. This data only applies to the pure substance. Transferred to mixtures of substances, these figures should only be taken as an aid to orientation.

4. Feet protection: Wear acid resistant boots

5. Body protection: Wear appropriate chemically protective (acid resistant) clothing (or thigh long apron) to prevent skin exposure.

6. Eye protection: Wear chemical splash goggles. If the face is at risk a protective shield must also be worn.

7. Respiratory protection: A respiratory protection program that meets OSHA's 29 CFR 1910.134 and ANSI Z88.2 requirements or European Standard EN 149 must be followed whenever workplace conditions warrant respirator use. In an emergency (e.g.: unintentional release of the substance) respiratory protection must be worn. Consider the maximum period for wear. At present time there is no available information about suitable filter respirator. A self-contained breathing apparatus can be used in any case.

Stability and reactivity

Chemical Stability: Stable at room temperature in closed containers under normal storage and handling conditions. Hygroscopic: absorbs moisture or water from the air. Phosphorous acid absorbs oxygen very readily from the air to form phosphoric acid.

Conditions to Avoid: Moisture, exposure to air.

Incompatibilities with Other Materials: Metals, strong bases.

Hazardous Decomposition Products: Oxides of phosphorus, phosphine.

Hazardous Polymerization: Has not been reported.

Disposal considerations

Chemical waste generators must determine whether a discarded chemical is classified as a hazardous waste. Additionally, waste generators must consult regional and local hazardous waste regulations to ensure complete and accurate classification.