Aluminium phosphide

Aluminium phosphide	Last updated: 12/02/2025
(Also known as: aluminum monophosphide)

SUMMARY

Aluminium phosphide is an insecticide and rodenticide. It has some potential for bio-concentration and is highly toxic to mammals. It is moderately soluble in water and non-volatile. It is not expected to persist in the environment. Aluminium phosphide is highly toxic to birds, fish and honeybees and moderately toxic to aquatic invertebrates, algae and earthworms.

Data alerts

The following alerts are based on the data in the tables below. An absence of an alert does not imply the substance has no implications for human health, biodiversity or the environment but just that we do not have the data to form a judgement.

Environmental fate	Ecotoxicity	Human health
Environmental fate Low alert: Non-persistent; Potential for particle bound transport: Low Warning: Significant data are missing	Ecotoxicity High alert: Birds acute ecotoxicity: High; Fish acute ecotoxicity: High; Bees acute oral ecotoxicity: High	Human health High alert: Mammals acute toxicity: High

GENERAL INFORMATION

Description

A phosphine generating compound used against vertebrates and grain store pests

Example pests controlled

Burrowing and other rodents such as moles, rats, mice; Weevils; Beetles

Example applications

Non-cropped areas; Grain and other commodity storage

Efficacy & activity

Appearance and life cycle

Availability status

Current

Introduction & key dates

1958, first US registration

Taxonomic classification

GB regulatory status

GB COPR regulatory status

Approved

Date COPR inclusion expires

31/08/2031

GB 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

30/11/2026

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
✓	✓	✓	✓	✓	✓	✓	✓	✓

Approved for use (✓) under EC 1107/2009 by Mutual Recognition of Authorisation and/or national regulations in the following EEA countries

ISIceland	NONorway

Additional information

Known to be also used in the following countries

Australia, Morocco

Chemical structure

Isomerism

None

Chemical formula

AlP

Canonical SMILES

[Al]#P

Isomeric SMILES

International Chemical Identifier key (InChIKey)

PPNXXZIBFHTHDM-UHFFFAOYSA-N

International Chemical Identifier (InChI)

InChI=1S/Al.P/rAlP/c1-2

2D structure diagram/image available?

Yes

General status

Biopesticide type

Insecticide, Rodenticide, Other substance

Other bioactivity & uses

Biocide, Wood preservative

Substance groups

Inorganic compound

Minimum active substance purity

830 g kg⁻¹

Known relevant impurities

EU dossier - None declared

Substance origin

Natural

Mode of action

Nerve toxin with respiratory action. Mitochondrial complex IV electron transport inhibitor.

Substance source

Aluminium phosphide occurs in nature as the mineral berlinite

Substance production

Aluminium phosphide is produced commercially through a chemical reaction between aluminium and phosphorus. Aluminium powder and phosphorus, the primary raw materials, are reacted together at high temperatures in a controlled environment. The aluminium phosphide formed is then cooled and collected.

Uses

Pest management

Target pests

Burrowing and other rodents such as moles, rats, mice; Weevils; Beetles

Target host

Non-cropped areas; Grain and other commodity storage

Farming system suitability

CAS RN

20859-73-8

EC number

244-088-0

CIPAC number

227

US EPA chemical code

066501

PubChem CID

30332

CLP index number

015-004-00-8

Molecular mass

57.96

PIN (Preferred Identification Name)

IUPAC name

aluminium phosphide

CAS name

aluminium phosphide

Other status information

Subject to the provisions of the UK Poisons Act 1972

Relevant Environmental Water Quality Standards

Herbicide Resistance Class (HRAC MoA class)

Not applicable

Herbicide Resistance Class (WSSA MoA class)

Not applicable

Insecticide Resistance Class (IRAC MoA class)

24A

Fungicide Resistance Class (FRAC MOA class)

Not applicable

Examples of recorded resistance

Physical state

Greenish-grey-yellow odourous solid

Formulations

Property

Product

Manufacturer

Example products

Phostoxin

Rentokil

Gastoxin

Bernardo Chemicals Inc

QuickPhos Tablets

UPL Ltd

Formulation and application details

Fumigant. Often formulated as tablets and pellets that are placed near burrows and runs, activated by soil mositure

ENVIRONMENTAL FATE

Property

Value

Source; quality score; and other information

Interpretation

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

260

at pH3

Moderate

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

Melting point (°C)

1000

Boiling point (°C)

Degradation point (°C)

500

Flashpoint (°C)

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

1.12 X 10⁰¹

Calculated

Log P

1.05

at pH3

Low

Fat solubility of residues

Solubility

Data type

Density (g ml⁻¹)

0.76

Dissociation constant pKa) at 25 °C

Not applicable

Vapour pressure at 20 °C (mPa)

1.0 X 10^-05

Low volatility

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

3.33 X 10⁰⁴

Volatile

Volatilisation as max % of applied dose lost

From plant surface

From soil surface

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)

0.2

Non-persistent

DT₅₀ (lab at 20 °C)

0.23

Non-persistent

DT₅₀ (field)

DT₉₀ (lab at 20 °C)

DT₉₀ (field)

DT₅₀ modelling endpoint

Note

EU dossier lab studies DT₅₀ range 0.22-0.24 days for phosphine

Dissipation rate RL₅₀ (days) on plant matrix

Value

Note

Dissipation rate RL₅₀ (days) on and in plant matrix

Value

Note

Aqueous photolysis DT₅₀ (days) at pH 7

Value

Note

Not relevant

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

Value

Note

Very rapid

Water-sediment DT₅₀ (days)

Water phase only DT₅₀ (days)

Sediment phase only DT₅₀ (days)

Air degradation

As this parameter is not normally measured directly, a surrogate measure is used: ‘Photochemical oxidative DT₅₀’. Where data is available, this can be found in the Fate Indices section below.

Decay in stored produce DT₅₀

Soil adsorption and mobility

Property

Value

Source; quality score; and other information

Interpretation

Linear

K_d (mL g⁻¹)

K_oc (mL g⁻¹)

Notes and range

Freundlich

K_f (mL g⁻¹)

K_foc (mL g⁻¹)

¹/_n

Notes and range

pH sensitivity

Known soil metabolites

Metabolite

Major/Minor fraction

$Click here for further information on Major/Minor fraction$

Estimated maximum occurrence fraction

Notes

phosphane

Major fraction

1.00

Known groundwater metabolites

None

Other known metabolites

None

ECOTOXICOLOGY

Terrestrial ecotoxicology

Property

Value

Source; quality score; and other information

Interpretation

Mammals - Acute oral LD₅₀ (mg kg⁻¹)

8.7

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)

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

663.5

Eisenia foetida

Moderate

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

Soil micro-organisms

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

Dose: 56% AIP/kg soil 28 Day

Collembola

Acute LC₅₀ (mg kg⁻¹)

Chronic NOEC (mg kg⁻¹)

Non-target plants

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)

0.24

High

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

Chronic

Notes

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 bee species (1)

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

Mode of exposure

Other bee species (2)

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

Mode of exposure

Beneficial insects (Ladybirds)

Beneficial insects (Lacewings)

Beneficial insects (Parasitic wasps)

Beneficial insects (Predatory mites)

Beneficial insects (Ground beetles)

Aquatic ecotoxicology

Property

Value

Source; quality score; and other information

Interpretation

Temperate Freshwater Fish - Acute 96 hour LC₅₀ (mg l⁻¹)

0.0097

Oncorhynchus mykiss as PH3

High

Temperate Freshwater Fish - Chronic 21 day NOEC (mg l⁻¹)

Tropical Freshwater Fish - Acute 96 hour LC₅₀ (mg l⁻¹)

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

0.37

Daphnia magna

Moderate

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

Tropical Freshwater Aquatic invertebrates - Acute 48 hour EC₅₀ (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)

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

0.058

Pseudokirchneriella subcapitata

Moderate

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

Mesocosm study data

NOEAEC mg l⁻¹

Marine bivalves

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)

8.7

Rat

High

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

460

Rat

Mammals - Inhalation LC₅₀ (mg l⁻¹)

11.0

Rat

Other Mammal toxicity endpoints

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

0.019

Rat SF=100

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

0.032

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)

0.019

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 regarding rodent control, PPE required for insect control in grain storage

Mammalian dose elimination route and rate

Health issues

Specific human health issues

Carcinogen

Genotoxic

Endocrine disruptor

No data found

; ; ; ;

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

Highly toxic
May cause dermatitis
Heart and lung toxicant

Handling issues

Property

Value and interpretation

General

Releases extremely flammable gases when in contact with water
IMDG Transport Hazard Class 4.3

CLP classification 2013

Health: H301, H332, H370, H361f
Environment: H400, H410

WHO Classification

Not classified: Fumigant (Not classified: Fumigant)

UN Number

UN1397

Waste disposal & packaging

Packaging Group I (great danger)

Shelf-life, storage, stability and reactivity

TRANSLATIONS

Language

Name

English

aluminium phosphide

French

phosphure d'aluminium

German

Aluminiumphosphid

Danish

aluminiumphosphid

Italian

Spanish

fosfuro de aluminio

Greek

Polish

fosforek glinu

Swedish

Hungarian

Dutch

aluminiumfosfide

Norwegian

Record last updated:	12/02/2025
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