Sodium phosphinate

Guidance on Safe Use

First-aid measures

* General advice: Remove soiled/dirty clothing, brush well and wash carefully.

* Inhalation:

- Move patient from contaminated area to fresh air.

- Make the affected person rest.

In case of persistent problems, consult a physician.

* Skin contact:

- Remove all contaminated clothing and footwear.

- Wash immediately, abundantly and thoroughly with soap and water.

- In case of inflammation (redness, irritation, ...) obtain medical attention.

- Use appropriate protective equipment when treating a contaminated person.

* Eye contact:

- Wash immediately, abundantly and thoroughly with water (at least 15 minutes).

- If irritation persists, consult an ophthalmologist.

* Ingestion:

- NEVER attempt to induce vomiting. Rinse mouth out with water.

- In case of problems, consult a doctor.

* Protection of first-aiders:

Check the oxygen level before entering the area. If necessary, wear appropriate respiratory protection.

- self-contained breathing apparatus;

- gloves, goggles, boots;

- protective clothing.

* Further information:

Use first aid techniques to restore vital functions. Place contaminated clothing in a sealed bag for disposal. Use appropriate protective equipment when treating a contaminated person.

Fire-fighting measures

* Suitable extinguishing media:

Foam, water spray, carbon dioxide, dry powder extinguishers.

Use suitable means to extinguish neighbouring fires.

* Not suitable extinguishing media: None to our knowledge

* Specific hazards:

NOT combustible. However, it may present a risk in the event of a fire.

Under fire conditions, where the substance may be exposed to high temperatures, a violent exothermic decomposition reaction

occurs above 239°C releasing the highly flammable, toxic gas- phosphine.  Phosphine gas spontaneously ignites in air.

Danger of explosion as a result of thermal decomposition.

On heating there is a risk of a build-up of pressure in hermetically sealed containers or tanks.

Dehydration above 100 °C may result in steam capable of causing packaging to burst.

Danger of explosion in presence of oxidizing agents (chlorates, nitrates).

* Specific fire fighting methods:

Evacuate the personnel away from the fumes.

If it is impossible to control the fire, cool down the exposed containers.

Cool down the containers/equipment exposed to heat with a water spray.

Spray with water from a distance to keep far away from any possible explosion.

Do NOT attempt to fight the fire without suitable protective equipment.

* Protection of fire-fighters:

For further information see "Exposure controls/personal protection".

Accidental release measures

* Personal precautions:

- Avoid contact with skin and eyes.

- If spillage occurs on the public highway, indicate the danger and notify the authorities (police, fire brigade).

- Eliminate all sources of ignition. No Flames. Do NOT smoke.

- Do NOT attempt to take action WITHOUT suitable protective equipment.

- Do NOT approach from downwind.

- Do not breathe dust.

- Personal protective equipment:

Respiratory protection device with a particle filter.

Safety glasses.

PVC gloves.

- Prevent any contact with hot surfaces.

- Mark out the contaminated area with signs and prevent access to unauthorized personnel. Warn of danger.

- Only qualified personnel equipped with suitable protective equipment may intervene.

- Recover the product as quickly as possible.

- Remove all incompatible materials as quickly as possible:

Alkalis and caustic products.

Oxidizing materials

* Environmental precautions:

- Control the dusts with a fine water spray

- Prevent product from entering drains.

* Methods for cleaning up: Keep in suitable, closed containers for disposal.

- Recovery:

Sweep up or vacuum up the product.

Avoid creating or spreading dust.

Collect spilled product with non-combustible absorbent material (e.g. sand, earth, diatomaceous earth, vermiculite) and place it in a spare container, which is suitably labelled.

Then take the emergency containers to an area reserved for subsequent recycling or disposal.

- Cleaning/Decontamination:

Wash non-recoverable remainder with large amounts of water.

Then wash the floor with plenty of water.

- Disposal:

Place in container for disposal according to local/national regulations (see disposal considerations).

* Further information: Food or food packaging which has been in contact with the product must be destroyed.

Handling and storage

* Handling

- Technical measures/Precautions:

Avoid the formation of dust. Use dust extraction (suction).

Provide water supplies and ocular fountains near the point of use.

Do NOT handle without gloves.

Do NOT handle if hands have any cuts or wounds.

Avoid any direct contact with the product.

Avoid contact with organic materials (wood, paper, cardboard, etc.).

Avoid contact with hot surfaces.

- Safe handling advice:

Smoking, eating and drinking should be prohibited in the application area.

Avoid the build-up of dust.

Comply with instructions for use.

Avoid high temperatures.  Operate well below thermal decomposition temperature and do NOT exceed. (See stability and reactivity).

Do NOT mix with incompatible materials (See stability and reactivity)

* Storage

- Technical measures: Does not require any specific or particular technical measures.

- Storage conditions:

Recommended: Store at room temperature, away from living quarters, away from incompatible materials, in a dry and well-ventilated area, keep container tightly closed.

To be avoided: Cannot withstand heat, and do NOT heat the storage container

- Incompatible products

Alkalis and hot caustic products

Combustible material

Oxidizing agents

* Packaging: Polyethylene liner inside a fibre-board drum

* Packaging material

- Recommended:

Stainless steel 316 L.

Plastic materials (polyethylene, polypropylene)

High density polyethylene (HDPE)

- Not suitable: None, to our knowledge

Transport information

Land transport (UN RTDG/ADR/RID)

UN number:

NOT restricted

Shipping

SpecialProvisions

Shipping

Remarks

Marine transport (UN RTDG/IMDG)

UN number:

NOT restricted

Shipping

Remarks

Air transport (UN RTDG/ICAO/IATA)

UN number:

NOT restricted

Shipping

Remarks

SpecialProvisions

Exposure controls / personal protection

* Engineering measures:

Extraction to remove dust at its source.

Ensure good ventilation of the work station.

Workplace and equipment which are easy to decontaminate.

* Occupational exposure limits

(correct at time of submission July 2010- refer to latest safety data sheet or regulatuions for current values)

- Limits (France)

No specific limits.

Inhalable dust - VME: 10 mg/m³.

Respirable dusts - VME : 4 mg/m³.

- Limits (U.S.A./A.C.G.I.H.)

(particles, with no chemical-specific limits)

Inhalable Particles - TLV (TWA) : 10 mg/m³

Respirable particles - TLV (TWA) : 3 mg/m³

- Limits (UK)

No specific limits.

Total inhalable dust: 10 mg/m³ - (8h TWA)

Total respirable dust: 4 mg/m³ - (8h TWA)

* Surveillance procedures: Monitoring of the atmosphere in the work place. The recommended limits SHOULD NOT be exceeded.

* Personal protective equipment

- Respiratory protection: Respiratory protective device with a particle filter

- Hand protection:

Use suitable chemical-resistant protective gloves (compliant with Standard EN 374-1)

The selection of gloves must take into account the extent and duration of use at the workstation

- Eye protection:

Safety glasses with side shields

Eye wash bottle with pure water

- Skin and body protection:

Impermeable suit.

Impermeable boots.

Wear suitable protective clothing, gloves and eye/face protection.

- Selection criteria:

Personal protective equipment must be defined after risk assessment for the workstation.

Protective equipment must be chosen according to current CEN standards and in cooperation with the supplier of protective equipment.

* Collective emergency equipment:

Emergency equipment and first-aid box with instructions readily available.

Safety shower.

Eye fountain.

* Hygiene measures:

Use clean and correctly maintained personal protective equipement

Keep personal protective equipement in a clean place, away from the work area

Always take a shower after work.

Always wash your hands immediately after handling this product, and once again before leaving the workplace.

Before re-use, thoroughly clean personal protective equipment.

Do NOT eat or drink in the workplace.

Immediately wash any contaminated clothing with plenty of water.

Wash the floor and equipment frequently.

Remove immediately soaked or soiled clothing. Wash separately.

Wash immediately any affected parts of the body. See first aid measures.

Stability and reactivity

* Stability: Stable at ambient temperature and under normal conditions of use.

* Hazardous reactions:

Danger of fire and/or explosions under specific conditions (see below).

Sodium Phosphinate undergoes rapid thermal decomposition (pyrolysis) at >239°C to form the

highly flammable, toxic gas phosphine and oxides of phosphorus.

Phosphine gas spontaneously ignites in air. Thermal decomposition may be violent.

Possible risk of explosion/fire as consequence of decomposition on heating at temperature in excess of 239°C.

Possible risk of explosion/fire as a consequence of decomposition on contact with very hot surfaces and flames.

Sodium Phosphinate is a strong chemical reducing agent and reacts violently with strong oxidising agents such as chlorates and nitrates.

Sodium Phosphinate reacts in hot alkaline solutions to form flammable hydrogen gas and flammable, toxic phosphine gas

Danger of explosion on mixing with:

    oxidizing agents (chlorates, nitrates)

    alkalis and hot concentrated caustic products

- Further information:

Looses water of crystallization at/or above 100°C.

Disposal considerations

* Residues from product

- Prohibition:

Do not allow the product to be released into the environment.

Do NOT incinerate.

- Destruction/Disposal :

Obtain permission from the pollution control authorities prior to disposal waste water treatment plants.

Entrust residues and solutions to a licensed company for physico-chemical treatment. Incinerate the residues at an approved waste disposal site only

* Contaminated packaging

- Prohibition:

Do not burn empty packaging. Do not cut using an oxyacetylene torch.

Do NOT dispose of untreated packaging with industrial waste

- Decontamination/cleaning:

Wash with water. Allow it to drain thoroughly. Recover the cleaning water and dispose of at a specialist site.

- Destruction/Disposal:

Disposal in accordance with local and national regulations.

May be reused following decontamination.