Magnesium phosphide

Magnesium phosphide	Last updated: 17/02/2021
(Also known as: phosphine; trimagnesium phosphorus(-3) anion )

GENERAL INFORMATION

Description

A phosphine generating compound used against vertebrates and grain store pests

Example pests controlled

Burrowing rodents and moles; Grain insect pests

Example applications

Animal feeds; Tobacco; Processed food commodities; Indoor areas and uncropped land; Bulked grain

Efficacy & activity

Availability status

Current

Introduction & key dates

1979, first registered USA

UK regulatory status

UK COPR regulatory status

Approved

Date COPR inclusion expires

31/08/2025

UK LERAP status

None

EC Regulation 1107/2009 (repealing 91/414)

EC Regulation 1107/2009 status

Approved

Dossier rapporteur/co-rapporteur

Austria/Estonia

Date EC 1107/2009 inclusion expires

31/08/2022

EU Candidate for substitution (CfS)

Listed in EU database

Yes

Approved for use (✓) under EC 1107/2009 in the following EU Member States

ATAustria	BEBelgium	BGBulgaria	CYCyprus	CZCzech Republic	DEGermany	DKDenmark	EEEstonia	ELGreece
✓	✓	✓	✓		✓		✓	✓
ESSpain	FIFinland	FRFrance	HRCroatia	HUHungary	IEIreland	ITItaly	LTLithuania	LULuxembourg
✓	✓	✓	✓	✓		✓	✓	✓
LVLatvia	MTMalta	NLNetherlands	PLPoland	PTPortugal	RORomania	SESweden	SISlovenia	SKSlovakia
✓			✓	✓	✓		✓	✓

Also used in

Australia

Chemical structure

Isomerism

None

Chemical formula

Mg₃P₂

Canonical SMILES

[Mg+2].[Mg+2].[Mg+2].[P-3].[P-3]

Isomeric SMILES

No data

International Chemical Identifier key (InChIKey)

VUBDMGXNLNDGIY-UHFFFAOYSA-N

International Chemical Identifier (InChI)

InChI=1S/3Mg.2P/q3*+2;2*-3

2D structure diagram/image available?

Yes

General status

Pesticide type

Insecticide, Rodenticide

Substance group

Inorganic compound

Minimum active substance purity

880 g kg⁻¹

Known relevant impurities

EU dossier - None declared

Substance origin

Synthetic

Mode of action

Nerve toxin with respiratory action - reacts with stomach acids to produce phosphine

CAS RN

12057-74-8

EC number

235-023-7

CIPAC number

228

US EPA chemical code

066504

PubChem CID

magnesium phosphide

Molecular mass

134.86

PIN (Preferred Identification Name)

magnesium phosphide

IUPAC name

magnesium phosphide

CAS name

magnesium phosphide

Other status information

PAN listed Highly Hazardous Chemical

Relevant Environmental Water Quality Standards

Herbicide Resistance Classification (HRAC)

Not applicable

Herbicide Resistance Classification (WSSA)

Not applicable

Insecticide Resistance Classification (IRAC)

24C

Fungicide Resistance Classification (FRAC)

Not applicable

Examples of recorded resistance

Physical state

Grey solid

Formulations

Property

Value

Example manufacturers & suppliers of products using this active now or historically

Degesch Plates

Example products using this active

Detia Degesch GmbH
Rentokil

Formulation and application details

Formulated as a phosphine gas generating product

ENVIRONMENTAL FATE

Property

Value

Source; quality score; and other information

Interpretation

Solubility - In water at 20 °C (mg l⁻¹)

No data

- rapid hydrolysis

No data

Solubility - In organic solvents at 20 °C (mg l⁻¹)

Insoluble

Most organic solvents

Melting point (°C)

Decomposes before melting

Boiling point (°C)

Decomposes before boiling

Degradation point (°C)

500

Flashpoint (°C)

Octanol-water partition coefficient at pH 7, 20 °C

Log P

Bulk density (g ml⁻¹)

1.47

Dissociation constant pKa) at 25 °C

No data

Can not determine due to rapid hydrolysis

Vapour pressure at 20 °C (mPa)

1.0 X 10^-05

Low volatility

Henry's law constant at 25 °C (Pa m³ mol⁻¹)

No data

- rapid hydrolysis

No data

Maximum UV-vis absorption L mol⁻¹ cm⁻¹

Surface tension (mN m⁻¹)

Degradation

Property

Value

Source; quality score; and other information

Interpretation

General biodegradability

Soil degradation (days) (aerobic)

DT₅₀ (typical)

0.24

Non-persistent

DT₅₀ (lab at 20 °C)

0.22

Non-persistent

DT₅₀ (field)

DT₉₀ (lab at 20 °C)

0.69

Non-persistent

DT₉₀ (field)

DT₅₀ modelling endpoint

Note

EU dossier lab studies DT₅₀ range 0.22-0.24 days, DT₉₀ estimated range 0.66-0.72 days

Dissipation rate RL₅₀ on plant matrix

Value

Note

Dissipation rate RL₅₀ on and in plant matrix

Value

Note

Aqueous photolysis DT₅₀ (days) at pH 7

Value

Note

Aqueous hydrolysis DT₅₀ (days) at 20 °C and pH 7

Value

Very rapid

Note

Water-sediment DT₅₀ (days)

Water phase only DT₅₀ (days)

Soil adsorption and mobility

Property

Value

Source; quality score; and other information

Interpretation

Linear

K_d

K_oc

Notes and range

Freundlich

K_f

K_foc

¹/_n

Notes and range

pH sensitivity

Fate indices

Property

Value

Source; quality score; and other information

Interpretation

GUS leaching potential index

SCI-GROW groundwater index (μg l⁻¹) for a 1 kg ha⁻¹ or 1 l ha⁻¹ application rate

Value

Cannot be calculated

Note

Potential for particle bound transport index

Low

Calculated

Potential for loss via drain flow

Calculated

Key metabolites

Metabolite

Formation medium

Estimated maximum occurrence fraction

1107/2009 relevancy

phosphine

Soil

1.00

Major fraction, Relevant

ECOTOXICOLOGY

Property

Value

Source; quality score; and other information

Interpretation

Bio-concentration factor

BCF (l kg⁻¹)

CT₅₀ (days)

Mammals - Acute oral LD₅₀ (mg kg⁻¹)

10.4

Rat

High

Mammals - Short term dietary NOEL

(mg kg⁻¹)

(ppm diet)

Mammals - Chronic 21d NOAEL (mg kg⁻¹ bw d⁻¹)

Birds - Acute LD₅₀ (mg kg⁻¹)

Coturnix japonica

High

Birds - Short term dietary (LC₅₀/LD₅₀)

Birds - Chronic 21d NOEL (mg kg⁻¹ bw d⁻¹)

Fish - Acute 96 hour LC₅₀ (mg l⁻¹)

0.0093

Oncorhynchus mykiss calculated from phosphine

High

Fish - Chronic 21 day NOEC (mg l⁻¹)

Aquatic invertebrates - Acute 48 hour EC₅₀ (mg l⁻¹)

Aquatic invertebrates - Chronic 21 day NOEC (mg l⁻¹)

Aquatic crustaceans - Acute 96 hour LC₅₀ (mg l⁻¹)

Sediment dwelling organisms - Acute 96 hour LC₅₀ (mg l⁻¹)

Sediment dwelling organisms - Chronic 28 day NOEC, static, water (mg l⁻¹)

Sediment dwelling organisms - Chronic 28 day NOEC, sediment (mg kg⁻¹)

Aquatic plants - Acute 7 day EC₅₀, biomass (mg l⁻¹)

Non-target plants

Algae - Acute 72 hour EC₅₀, growth (mg l⁻¹)

Algae - Chronic 96 hour NOEC, growth (mg l⁻¹)

Honeybees (Apis spp.)

Contact acute LD₅₀ (worst case from 24, 48 and 72 hour values - μg bee⁻¹)

Oral acute LD₅₀ (worst case from 24, 48 and 72 hour values - μg bee⁻¹)

Unknown mode acute LD₅₀ (worst case from 24, 48 and 72 hour values - μg bee⁻¹)

Bumblebees (Bombus spp.)

Contact acute LD₅₀ (worst case from 24, 48 and 72 hour values - μg bee⁻¹)

Oral acute LD₅₀ (worst case from 24, 48 and 72 hour values - μg bee⁻¹)

Mason bees (Osmia spp.)

Contact acute LD₅₀ (worst case from 24, 48 and 72 hour values - μg bee⁻¹)

Oral acute LD₅₀ (worst case from 24, 48 and 72 hour values - μg bee⁻¹)

Other pollinators (1)

Acute LD₅₀ (worst case from 24, 48 and 72 hour values - μg insect⁻¹)

Mode of exposure

Other pollinators (2)

Acute LD₅₀ (worst case from 24, 48 and 72 hour values - μg insect⁻¹)

Mode of exposure

Earthworms - Acute 14 day LC₅₀ (mg kg⁻¹)

> 663.5

for aluminium phosphide

Moderate

Earthworms - Chronic NOEC, reproduction (mg kg⁻¹)

Other soil macro-organisms

Acute LC₅₀ (mg kg⁻¹)

Chronic NOEC (mg kg⁻¹)

Other arthropod (1)

LR₅₀ g ha⁻¹

% Effect

Other arthropod (2)

LR₅₀ g ha⁻¹

% Effect

Soil micro-organisms

Nitrogen mineralisation: No significant adverse effect
Carbon mineralisation: No significant adverse effect

Dose: 56% AIP/kg soil 28 days

Mesocosm study data

NOEAEC mg l⁻¹

HUMAN HEALTH AND PROTECTION

General

Property

Value

Source; quality score; and other information

Interpretation

Threshold of Toxicological Concern (Cramer Class)

High (class III)

Mammals - Acute oral LD₅₀ (mg kg⁻¹)

10.4

Rat

High

Mammals - Dermal LD₅₀ (mg kg⁻¹ body weight)

460

Rat

Mammals - Inhalation LC₅₀ (mg l⁻¹)

> 11

Rat

Other Mammal toxicity endpoints

ADI - Acceptable Daily Intake (mg kg⁻¹ bw day⁻¹)

0.022

Rat SF=100

ARfD - Acute Reference Dose (mg kg⁻¹ bw day⁻¹)

0.038

Rat SF=100

AAOEL - Acute Acceptable Operator Exposure Level (mg kg⁻¹ bw day⁻¹)

AOEL - Acceptable Operator Exposure Level - Systemic (mg kg⁻¹ bw day⁻¹)

0.022

Rat SF=100

Dermal penetration studies (%)

Dangerous Substances Directive 76/464

Exposure Routes

Public

Acceptable risk for bystanders

Occupational

Acceptable risk for workers
Acceptable risk for operators for the control of rodents, PPE required for insect control

MRLs

European

EU MRL pesticide database

Notes

Drinking Water Standards

Drinking Water MAC (μg l⁻¹)

Health issues

Specific human health issues

Carcinogen

Genotoxic

Endocrine disruptor

; ; ; ;

No data found

Reproduction / development effects

Acetyl cholinesterase inhibitor

Neurotoxicant

Respiratory tract irritant

Skin irritant

Skin sensitiser

No data found

Eye irritant

Phototoxicant

No data found

General human health issues

Moderately toxic

Handling issues

Property

Value and interpretation

General

Reacts with water to produce toxic phosphine (hydrogen phosphide, PH3 )
No explosive or oxidising; IMDG Transport Code is usually 4.3

CLP classification 2013

Health: H300, H311
Handling: H260
Environment: H400

EC Risk Classification

T+ - Very toxic: R28
H - Handling risks: R15/29
N - Dangerous for the environment: R50

EC Safety Classification

S1/2, S22, S28, S36/37, S43, S45, S61

WHO Classification

NL (Not listed)

UN Number

Usually 2011

Waste disposal & packaging

Packaging Group I (great danger)

TRANSLATIONS

Language

Name

English

magnesium phosphide

French

diphosphure de trimagnésium

German

Trimagnesiumdiphosphid

Danish

Italian

Spanish

difosfuro de trimagnesio

Greek

Polish

fosforek magnezu

Swedish

Hungarian

Dutch

Record last updated:	17/02/2021
Contact:	aeru@herts.ac.uk
Please cite as:	Lewis, K.A., Tzilivakis, J., Warner, D. and Green, A. (2016) An international database for pesticide risk assessments and management. Human and Ecological Risk Assessment: An International Journal, 22(4), 1050-1064. DOI: 10.1080/10807039.2015.1133242