No significant toxic effects were observed following chronic oral exposure to phosphine in rats. EPA has not established an RfC for phosphine. No impairment in reproductive function was observed in a study of rats exposed to phosphine in their diet. In two studies of rats exposed to phosphine in their diets, no difference in tumor incidence was observed between treated rats and controls. EPA has classified phosphine as a Group D, not classifiable as to human carcinogenicity.
Phosphine occurs as a colorless, flammable gas that is slightly soluble in water.
Phosphine is also used as an intermediate in the synthesis of flame retardants for cotton fabrics, as a doping agent for n-type semiconductors, a polymerization initiator, and a condensation catalyst. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. National Toxicology Information Program, National Library of Medicine, Bethesda, MD. 1993. Handbook of Toxic and Hazardous Chemicals and Carcinogens . U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.