PHOSPHINE < 0.1% / NITROGEN (BALANCE) GAS MIXTURE

SECTION 2: Hazards identification

EMERGENCY OVERVIEW

Product definition

This gas mixture is a colorless, non-flammable, harmful gas mixture with a distinct fishy odor (due to the presence of Phosphine). This gas mixture may cause significant, adverse health effects, because of the Phosphine content, which exceeds exposure limits at the possible percentage ranges in this mixture. Phosphine is an irritant and general systemic poison. Exposure to even very small quantities can result in adverse health effects (such as pulmonary edema) and may be fatal. Phosphine has a fishy odor and a low odor threshold; the odor provides a good warning of a release of this gas mixture. Flammability Hazards This gas mixture is not flammable. Reactivity This gas mixture is not reactive. Emergency Response Procedures: Persons responding to releases of this gas mixture must protect themselves appropriately. SYMPTOMS OF OVER-EXPOSURE BY ROUTE OF EXPOSURE: The most significant routes of over- exposure for this gas are by inhalation, skin or eye contact. Symptoms of exposure by all routes of exposure may be delayed. INHALATION: This gas mixture can cause, serious health effects, due to the presence of Phosphine, which is extremely toxic at very low levels. Both chronic and acute over-exposures to this gas mixture are dangerous. Minor exposures may result in the following symptoms: lacrymation (watery eyes), substernal chest pain, chest tightness, shortness of breath, a slight cough, and cyanosis. Such exposures can cause gastrointestinal tract irritation and central nervous system effects. Abdominal symptoms include nausea, vomiting, severe epigastric pain, and diarrhea. Neurologic symptoms include vertigo, headache, restlessness, involuntary tremors, lack of muscular coordination, double vision, drowsiness, and a decreased sensation in the extremities. Death can occur in humans after exposure as low as 8 ppm for 1-2 hours. In severe over-exposures, this gas mixture can cause death (due to the presence of Phosphine), from pulmonary edema (a dangerous condition of fluid accumulation in the lungs), or from tissue anoxia secondary to interference with tissue respiration. The symptoms of pulmonary edema can be delayed. Severe overexposure can also lead to damage to the liver and kidneys. Although high concentrations of this gas mixture can cause an oxygen-deficient environment, the toxic effects of Phosphine will be a more significant hazard than oxygen deficiency. Individuals breathing an oxygen-deficient atmosphere may experience symptoms which include headaches, ringing in ears, dizziness, drowsiness, unconsciousness, nausea, vomiting, and depression of all the senses. Under some circumstances of overexposure, death may occur. The effects associated with various levels of oxygen are as follows: CONCENTRATION OF OXYGEN OBSERVED EFFECT 12-16% Oxygen: Breathing and pulse rate increase, muscular coordination slightly disturbed. 10-14% Oxygen: Emotional upset, abnormal fatigue, disturbed respiration. 6-10% Oxygen: Nausea, vomiting, collapse, or loss of consciousness. Below 6%: Convulsive movements, possible respiratory collapse, and death. CONTACT WITH SKIN or EYES: Contact of this gas mixture with the skin can cause injury. Contact with the skin in the presence of moisture can cause burns, due to the formation of phosphoric acid. Contact with the eyes (1-2 ppm), even briefly, will cause irritation. Contact of longer duration and concentration can cause serious injury to the eyes, possibly blindness, due to the formation of phosphoric acid. In addition, contact with rapidly expanding gases (which are released under high pressure) may cause frostbite. SKIN ABSORPTION: The components of this gas mixture are not known to be absorbed via intact skin.

Potential health effects

OR RISKS FROM EXPOSURE Over-exposure to this gas mixture may cause the following health effects: ACUTE: This gas mixture may cause moderate to severe irritation to the respiratory system, skin and eyes, depending of the duration of exposure. Severe over-exposure to this gas may cause the extremely dangerous condition of pulmonary edema (an accumulation of fluid in the lungs) and may be fatal. (Continued) ACUTE (continued): Severe overexposure may also cause damaging effects to the central nervous system, lung damage, adverse effects on the heart, and congestion of blood in the visceral organs. In addition, acute overexposure to this gas mixture can cause an oxygen-deficient atmosphere. Symptoms of oxygen deficiency include ringing in ears, headaches, shortness of breath, wheezing, dizziness, indigestion, and nausea. CHRONIC: Although no good data is available, persistent irritation may result from repeated, low-level, non- toxic exposure to this gas mixture. Refer to Section 11 (Toxicology Information) for additional data. TARGET ORGANS ACUTE Respiratory system, skin, eyes, cardiac and central nervous systems, liver and kidneys. CHRONIC: Respiratory system, skin.

HMIS® ratings

HEALTH HAZARD = 3 FLAMMABILITY HAZARD = 0 PHYSICAL HAZARD = 0 Hazard Scale: 0 = Minimal 1 = Slight 2 = Moderate 3 = Serious 4 = Severe