Product Name: Yellow Phosphorus
Synonyms: White Phosphorus, Tetraphosphorus
CAS Number: 7723-14-0
Recommended Use: Chemical manufacturing, production of fertilizers, rat poisons, fireworks, and matches
Supplier Details: Manufacturer contact details, emergency phone line, and address must always be provided on the label.
Classification: Flammable solid, toxic by inhalation, ingestion, or skin contact, acute toxicity (oral, dermal, inhalation), aquatic acute toxicity
Signal Word: Danger
Hazard Statements: May cause fire or explosion, highly toxic if swallowed or inhaled, causes severe skin burns and eye damage, very toxic to aquatic life
Precautionary Statements: Avoid all contact with skin and eyes, handle under strict controls, avoid release to the environment, use appropriate PPE
Other Hazards: May ignite spontaneously in air; emits irritating or toxic fumes of phosphoric acid when burning
Chemical Name: Phosphorus
Common Synonyms: Yellow Phosphorus, White Phosphorus
Purity: >98% as elemental phosphorus
Impurities: Trace amounts of red phosphorus, other phosphorus allotropes
Molecular Formula: P4
Molecular Weight: 123.88 g/mol
General Advice: Seek medical attention immediately for any exposure
Inhalation: Remove victim to fresh air as quickly as possible, keep at rest, use artificial respiration if indicated, oxygen administration, emergency medical care
Skin Contact: Immediately brush off phosphorus particles, rinse thoroughly with cool water, remove contaminated clothing, cover burns with moist dressing, get medical help
Eye Contact: Rinse cautiously with water for at least 15 minutes, remove contact lenses if safe, continue rinsing, seek urgent medical attention
Ingestion: Do not induce vomiting, rinse mouth thoroughly, give plenty of water if conscious, seek medical attention
Important Symptoms: Burns, systemic toxicity, shock, hypocalcemia, liver and kidney damage, garlic odor on breath
Self-protection of First Aiders: Wear gloves, safety goggles, protective clothing; avoid breathing vapors or getting any substance on skin or eyes
Extinguishing Media: Use dry sand, graphite, or Class D extinguisher, never use water or foam
Special Hazards: Spontaneous ignition on contact with air; emits toxic fumes (phosphine, phosphorus oxides) in fire
Special Equipment: Firefighters must wear self-contained breathing apparatus and protective full-body suit
Advice: Cool surrounding containers with dry sand, keep away from all sources of ignition, approach from windward side
Explosion Hazards: Dust-air mixtures may form explosive mixtures, ignition is possible at low temperatures
Personal Precautions: Evacuate unnecessary personnel, ventilate area, keep unauthorized people away
Protective Equipment: Full-face respirator, gloves, flame-resistant clothing, chemical splash goggles
Environmental Precautions: Prevent entry to sewers, soil, or watercourses, notify authorities about significant releases
Methods for Cleanup: Pick up cautiously using non-sparking tools, immerse in water or neutralize with wet sand, collect in airtight containers
Decontamination: Flush area with copious amounts of cold water after removal; avoid contact with skin or clothing
Safe Handling: Only handle in well-ventilated air-free area or under inert gas, do not breathe fumes, avoid any skin contact, always use non-sparking tools
Storage Conditions: Store under water or inert gas (e.g. nitrogen), keep containers tightly closed, cool, dry, away from sources of ignition and incompatible materials such as oxidizers or halogens
Incompatibilities: Air, oxidizing agents, halogens, many acids, metals; reacts violently, may ignite
Hygiene Measures: Wash hands and face thoroughly after handling, do not eat, drink, or smoke during working
Engineering Controls: Ventilated enclosures, fume hoods, explosion-proof equipment
Occupational Exposure Limit: OSHA PEL: 0.1 mg/m3 (TWA), ACGIH TLV: 0.1 mg/m3 (TWA)
Personal Protective Equipment: Full face shield, flame-retardant gloves, chemically resistant suit, respiratory protection with P3 filter or airline supplied air if exposure risk is high
Environmental Control: Prevent release to the environment; air filtration and scrubbing systems required
Form: Waxy, white to pale yellow solid, translucent
Odor: Characteristic garlic-like smell
Melting Point: 44.1°C
Boiling Point: 280°C (decomposes)
Flash Point: 30°C (closed cup, may ignite spontaneously in air at temperatures as low as 30°C)
Density: 1.823 g/cm3 at 20°C
Solubility: Insoluble in water, soluble in carbon disulfide, slightly soluble in oils
Vapor Pressure: 0.03 hPa at 20°C
Other Properties: Emits greenish-white glow in dark (chemiluminescent), highly reactive
Chemical Stability: Unstable in air; stable when stored under water or inert conditions
Reactivity: Reacts violently with air, oxidizers, halogens, and some metals
Hazardous Decomposition Products: Phosphine, phosphorus pentoxide
Conditions to Avoid: Heat, light, shock, friction, incompatible substances
Polymerization: Does not polymerize, but converts slowly to red phosphorus
Acute Toxicity: Oral LD50 (rat): 1.15 mg/kg; highly toxic by inhalation and skin absorption
Chronic Effects: Liver and kidney damage, jaw necrosis (“phossy jaw”), chronic gastritis, systemic poisoning
Carcinogenic Status: Not classified as carcinogen by IARC, NTP, OSHA
Routes of Exposure: Inhalation, ingestion, skin contact, eye contact
Symptoms: Intense burning, severe pain, systemic toxicity, vomiting, diarrhea, confusion, convulsions, multiple organ failure
Target Organs: Liver, kidneys, skeletal system
Environmental Fate: Highly toxic to aquatic organisms, persistent in environment in low-oxygen or low-light conditions
Mobility: Low mobility in soil, accumulates in sediment
Bioaccumulation: Potential to accumulate in aquatic organisms
Ecotoxicity: Acute LC50 (fish): 0.15 mg/L (96h), highly toxic to other aquatic life
Degradability: Slow degradation in water under anaerobic conditions
Precautions: Any spill or uncontrolled release is significant and should trigger immediate action
Waste Disposal Methods: Incineration in controlled conditions, never landfill or directly release to environment, consult licensed waste disposal contractor
Packaging Disposal: Decontaminate or triple rinse before recycling or disposal; hazardous residue may remain
Legal Requirements: Follow all local, regional, and national hazardous waste regulations for phosphorus compounds
UN Number: UN 1381
Proper Shipping Name: Phosphorus, white or yellow, under water
Hazard Class: 4.2 (Substances liable to spontaneous combustion)
Packing Group: I (highest hazard)
Special Transport Precautions: Transport only in authorized, airtight, waterproof containers, always submerged under water or inert material, secured against shock and heat
ADR/RID, IMDG, IATA: Classified as dangerous goods by all major regulations
U.S. Regulations: Listed under CERCLA, SARA Title III, TSCA; subject to Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act reporting
EU Regulations: Included in REACH Annex XIV and XVII, restrictions apply, classified under CLP as very toxic
Labeling Requirements: Must display hazard pictograms for acute toxicity, skin/eye burns, environmental hazards
Other National Standards: Refer to standards set by OSHA, NIOSH, and local chemical safety regulations for specific limits and requirements
Worker Protection: Training required in proper handling, emergency response, and use of PPE
