ZINC PHOSPHIDE 82 TECHNICAL

SECTION 2: Hazards identification

Symptoms of Acute Exposure Irritating to the eyes and skin. Prolonged exposure to zinc phosphide fumes may cause eye irritation and conjunctivitis, i.e., redness, discharge and/or swelling in eyes. Exposure may cause nausea, vomiting, abdominal cramps, chills, headache, restlessness, excitement, agitation, and dizziness. Tightness in the chest, breathing difficulty, cough, and cyanosis indicate the development of pulmonary edema. Other effect may include diarrhea, low blood pressure, change in skin color, garlic breath odor, fever, shock, tremors, fatigue, excessive perspiration, hypertension, dysrhythmia, metabolic acidosis, convulsion, and coma. Other complications may involve jaundice and liver tenderness and enlargement from liver necrosis and anuria from renal tubular injury. DEATH IS DUE TO SEVERE POISONING. Hazardous Decomposition Products May react with acids or water to release toxic and spontaneously flammable phosphine gas. Oxides of phosphorus and zinc. Physical Properties

Appearance/Odor

Dark grey crystals, lustrous or dull powder Pungent garlic odor Unusual Fire, Explosion, and Reactivity Hazards Dangerous when wet. Dangerous fire hazard and slight explosion hazard when exposed to water. Dust mixtures may ignite and/or explode. When heated to decomposition, it emits toxic fumes of phosphorus and zinc oxides (Sax 1984, Pg. 2756). Irritating oxides of phosphorus may be formed in fires (Chris, 1978). Contact with water produces flammable gas. Runoff may create fire or explosion hazard (DOT ERG 2000, Guide 139). 4 .