Phosphine Gas Detectors (PH3 Detectors)
Phosphine (PH3), a highly toxic, flammable gas, is used in the semiconductor industry, in chemical processing, and more commonly in fumigation of grain, food products, and tobacco, prior to international transport. Industrial Scientific’s GasBadge® Pro accurately displays levels of phosphine, and the Ventis® Pro and MX6 iBrid® multi-gas detectors with an aspiration pump option to measure phosphine levels in confined spaces, such as fumigation containers.
Related Gas Detectors - Phosphine
Phosphine - PH3
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Hazard: |
Flammable - |
Will Explode LEL 1.79% |
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Classification: |
Health - |
Extremely toxic |
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Synonyms: |
Celphos, Delicia, Detia, Hydrogen Phosphide, Phosphoretted Hydrogen, |
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Exposure limits: |
(OSHA) |
PEL\TWA: .3 ppm |
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(ACGIH) |
STEL: 1 ppm |
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(OSHA) |
IDLH: 50 ppm |
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Industries: |
Chemical intermediate, doping agent, pesticide, fumigant |
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Phosphine is a colorless, flammable, highly toxic gas with a fishy or garlic-like odor. Phosphine acts on the central nervous system and lungs leading to pulmonary edema. Symptoms like faintness, vomiting, headache, tightness in the chest may appear rapidly after exposure. Even a short exposure to an acute amount of phosphine can lead to chronic neurological problems. It should also be recognized that phosphine is highly flammable and may spontaneously ignite in the air or even explode when mixed with oxygen. Phosphine coming in contact with oxidizers, halogenated hydrocarbons, or even aluminum and copper may cause the same. It is for this reason that extreme care must be adhered to whenever working with or around phosphine.
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Effects of Various PH3 Levels |
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Phosphine |
Resulting Conditions on Humans |
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.3 |
OSHA Permissible Exposure Limit (PEL). |
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1 |
OSHA Short Term Exposure Limit (STEL). |
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35 |
Diarrhea, nausea, respiratory distress. |
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500 |
Lethal after 45 minutes. |
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2000 |
Lethal after 1-3 minutes. |
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Source: American Industrial Hygiene Association |
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