Yellow Phosphorus

Material Safety Data Sheet

Date Prepared:        15 March 1998
Revised:                   13 August 2013

Item Description

 

Section 1-Production information
Chemical Name: YELLOW PHOSPHORUS
Chemical Formula: P4

Section 2 - Compositon/Information on Ingredients
Yellow phosphorus

Ingredient Name: Yellow phosphorus
Ingredient CAS Number: 12185-10-3

Section 3 - Hazards Identification, Including Emergency Overview
Yellow phosphorus

Hazard symbols:    F (highly flammable)      

                                T + (Toxic)
                                C (corrosive)
                                N (dangerous for the environment)

Hazard nature:       R17 (spontaneously flammable in air)
                                R35 (causes severe burns)
                                R26/28 (very toxic by inhalation and if shallowed)
                                R50 (very toxic for the aquatic organisms)
                                Thermal decomposition produces Phosphoric Anhydride (irritant substance)

Healt Hazard:

Swallowing:            Highly  Toxic. LDLo (men) = 1.4mg/kg
                                 LD50 (oral rat): 3.03 mg/kg
                                 LD50 (oral mouse): 4,82 mg/kg

Inhalation:              Highly toxic. LC50< 2 mg/l

Skin contact:         It causes very painful and difficult to heal burns.
                                Absorption through the skin: Mild toxicity.

Eye contact:            It can causes severe burns. It may cause irreversible damage

Section 4 - First Aid Measures
Yellow phosphorus  
Eye contact:    Rinse immediately with plenty of water. Administer 2-3 eye drops of 0.5% Pantocain solution. Get a prompt medical aid.

Skin contact:    Rinse immediately with plenty of water. Treat with 3% water solution of copper sulfate. Keep the injured part under running water. Get a prompt medical aid.

Inhalation:    Carry the victim of exposure in fresh air, wearing adequate masks. Leave it at rest and warm. If breathing stops give artificial respiration. Get a prompt medical aid.
                       Fumes from phosphorus combustion cause irritation to respiratory tract but do not result toxic.

Swallowing:    Do not induce vomiting. Have the victim drink 0,2% water solution of copper sulfate. Remove the product from the mouth if present. Get a prompt medical aid.

Section 5 - Fire Fighting Measures
Yellow phosphorus

Specific hazard:    The product self-ignites when coming in contact with the oxygen in the air. Lower flammability limit: 3 ppm/m3
Extinguishing media:    Use nebulized water. Avoid water jet directly on the burning mass, as that would cause its spreading. Sand or earth can also be used.
                                         Contain melted product with sand or earth. Make it solidify using cold water.
Combustion dangerous products:    The product thermal decomposition causes the release of phosphoric anhydride (irritant).
Protection equipment:    Self-contained breathing apparatus, fire retardant  clothing, thick rubber gloves, high shoes or rubber boots, fire-proof cap or hood.

Section 6 - Accidental Release Measures
Yellow phosphorus

Protection equipment:    Glasses for chemicals, rubber or nitrile gloves, boots or safety shoes, fire retardant clothing with long sleeves and cap.

Personnel precaution:    Avoid contact with skin and eyes. Do not breath fumes. Remove contaminated clothing and soak them in water.

Leakage on ground:    Prevent spreading by damming with earth or sand. Sprinkle with water and keep the product exposed to air under water.

Leakage in water:    Identify the leakage point. The product dispersed in water is inert and sinks, it can be recovered in container under water.

Section 7 - Handling and Storage
Yellow phosphorus

Storage:    Phosphorus must be stored in containers under water head. The containers must be stored in an area surrounded by containment ditches or pools.

Handling:    Phosphorus must be always handled under water or in tanks and pipes in inert gas.
                     It must be transported with self-propelled means (forklifts, tankers, drums, etc.) only in solid state.

Section 8 - Exposure Controls & Personal Protection
Yellow phosphorus

Workplace exposure limits: ACGIH  Threshould limit     
                                           TWA = 0.1 mg/ m3
                  
Personnel protection: Glasses for chemicals, rubber or nitrile gloves, boots or safety shoes, fire retardant clothing with long sleeves and cap, fire proof apron. If concentration of the product could be over the limit use self breathing apparatus.

Section 9 - Physical & Chemical Properties
Yellow phosphorus

Physical state:                      Solid  (20°C)
Form:                                    Wax mass
Color:                                    Waxy, slightly yellow
Odor:                                    Odorless
Specific Gravity:                   1823 kg/ m3 (20°C.)
Melting point:                        44.1°C.
Boiling point:                         280.5°C.
Flammable point:                  10°C
Auto ignition temperature:    30°C.
Solubility:                              Soluble in Carbon sulfide
                                             Insoluble in water
Vapour pressure:                 1 mm Hg at 76.6°C.
Vapour density:                     4.42 (air = 1)

Section 10 - Stability & Reactivity Data
Yellow phosphorus

Stability:     Product reacts with oxigen of air, in contact with oxygen it burns releasing Phosphorus Pentoxide, but it is stable under water.
Reactivity:    Oxidants may cause violent reactions and explosion. Alkaline or alkaline-earth metals cause violent reactions. Concentrate alcohols cause violent reactions with release of toxic and flammable PH3 gas.

Section 11 - Toxicological Information
Yellow phosphorus

Inhalation:        Highly toxic. LC50< 2 mg/l - It may cause acute and chronic toxicity
Swallowing:    Highly  Toxic. LDLo (men) = 1.4mg/kg
                           LD50 (rat) = 3,03 mg/kg
                           LD50 (mouse) = 4,82 mg/kg
Skin contact:    It causes very painful and difficult to heal burns.
                            Absorption through the skin: Mild toxicity.
Sensitivity causing power:    None reported
                                                     Mutagenics/Carcinogenic/Theratogenics    None reported

Section 12 - Ecological Information
Yellow phosphorus

The product is dangerous for the aquatic organisms.
The product is stable in water. The product exposed to air reacts yielding phosphoric anhydride (irritant).

Section 13 - Disposal Considerations
Yellow phosphorus

The disposal of the product and its container must be done in authorized plant.

Section 14 - MSDS Transport Information
Yellow phosphorus

ADR-RID              Class 4.2.11°a    
IMDG                    4.2.21 pag.4250
EmS number      4.2-04
IATA                       Forbidden
UN number         1381

Section 15 - Regulatory Information
Yellow phosphorus

EEC N°:                     015-001-00-1
    
Hazard symbols:    F (highly flammable)
                                  T + (Toxic)
                                  C (corrosive)
                                  N (dangerous for the environment)
Hazard nature:       R17 (spontaneously flammable in air)R35 (causes severe burns)
                                  R26/28 (very toxic by inhalation and if shallowed)
                                  R50 (very toxic for the aquatic organisms)
Safety advice:         S5 ( keep contents under water)S26 (In case of contact with eyes, rinse immediately with plenty water and seek medical advice)
                                  S38 (In case of insufficient ventilation, use a suitable breathing apparatus)
                                  S45 (In case of accident or you feel unwell, seek medical advice immediately (show the label where possible).
                                  S61 (Do not disperse in the environment, refer to the SDS of the product)

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