☣️ UN 3048 • CLASS 6
UN 3048 — Aluminum phosphide pesticide
Placard: Toxic. ERG Guide 157. Training/quick-reference only — use current ERG + SOP/SOG for incident-specific actions.
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⚠️ This page is a quick-reference aid. For real incidents: stage upwind, isolate, deny entry, request Hazmat early, and consult the current ERG + SOP/SOG.
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UN 3048 Quick Details
UN 3048
Product name: Aluminum phosphide pesticide
DOT Class: 6
Placard type: Toxic
ERG Guide: 157 (check current ERG)
Initial isolation: ERG 157: Isolate spill 25-50m all directions; for fire, isolate 800m and consider evacuation 1600m downwind; phosphine gas is extremely toxic
Common Hazards of UN 3048
- TOXIC and/or CORROSIVE; inhalation, ingestion or contact (skin, eyes) with vapors, dusts or substance
- Reaction with water or moist air may release toxic, corrosive or flammable gases.
- Reaction with water may generate much heat that will increase the concentration of fumes in the air.
- Fire will produce irritating, corrosive and/or toxic gases.
- Runoff from fire control or dilution water may be corrosive and/or toxic and cause environmental
- Non-combustible, substance itself does not burn but may decompose upon heating to produce corrosive
- UN1802, UN2032, UN3084, UN3093, UN1796 (above 50%), UN1826 (above 50%), and UN2031 (above
- Vapors may accumulate in confined areas (basement, tanks, hopper/tank cars, etc.).
Chemical Identity & Physical Properties
| Also known as | Aluminum phosphideAlPPhostoxinQuickphosCelphosFumitoxin |
| CAS Number | 20859-73-8 |
| Appearance | Dark gray to yellow crystalline solid or powder with a faint garlic-like or acetylene odor when exposed to moisture. Reacts with water or humid air to produce phosphine gas. |
| Flash Point | Not applicable (solid, but releases highly flammable phosphine gas on contact with water) |
| Boiling Point | Not applicable (decomposes and sublimes above 1000C) |
| Vapor Density | Not applicable for solid, but phosphine gas released has vapor density 1.2 (heavier than air) |
| Water Reactivity | Reacts violently with water or moisture, producing highly toxic and flammable phosphine gas (PH3) and heat |
Chemical details are general reference only. Always verify with current SDS, ERG, and SOP/SOG.
Fireground Response Guidance — UN 3048
Extinguishing Media
Dry chemical, sand, or dry earth only. Never use water or aqueous agents. Isolate from moisture.
PPE Requirements
⚠️ Level A required for spill response; SCBA mandatory; fully encapsulating suit to protect against phosphine gas; do not allow contact with moisture
Isolation & Evacuation
ERG 157: Isolate spill 25-50m all directions; for fire, isolate 800m and consider evacuation 1600m downwind; phosphine gas is extremely toxic
Always confirm protective actions with the current edition of the Emergency Response Guidebook (ERG Guide 157).
First Actions for a UN 3048 Incident
- CALL 911. Then call emergency response telephone number on shipping paper. If shipping paper
- Keep unauthorized personnel away.
- Stay upwind, uphill and/or upstream.
- Ventilate closed spaces before entering, but only if properly trained and equipped.
- Isolate spill or leak area in all directions for at least 50 meters (150 feet) for liquids and at least 25 meters
- For highlighted materials: see Table 1 - Initial Isolation and Protective Action Distances.
- For non-highlighted materials: increase the immediate precautionary measure distance, in the downwind
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📋 Copy & Share Field Card
UN 3048 — Aluminum phosphide pesticideHAZMAT RADIO NOTE — UN 3048
Product: Aluminum phosphide pesticide
Class 6 / Toxic / ERG 157
PPE: Level A required for spill response; SCBA mandatory; fully encapsulating suit to protect against phosphine gas; do not allow contact with moisture
ISOLATION: ERG 157: Isolate spill 25-50m all directions; for fire, isolate 800m and consider evacuation 1600m downwind; phosphine gas is extremely toxic
ACTION: Stage upwind · Isolate · Deny entry · Request HazmatRADIO
Use for: Quick radio or face-to-face size-up. Short, structured, field-ready.
=== IC HAZMAT BRIEFING ===
UN 3048 — Aluminum phosphide pesticide
Class: 6 | Placard: Toxic | ERG Guide: 157
Appearance: Dark gray to yellow crystalline solid or powder with a faint garlic-like or acetylene odor when exposed to moisture. Reacts with water or humid air to produce phosphine gas.
Water Reactivity: Reacts violently with water or moisture, producing highly toxic and flammable phosphine gas (PH3) and heat
Extinguishing: Dry chemical, sand, or dry earth only. Never use water or aqueous agents. Isolate from moisture.
PPE: Level A required for spill response; SCBA mandatory; fully encapsulating suit to protect against phosphine gas; do not allow contact with moisture
Isolation: ERG 157: Isolate spill 25-50m all directions; for fire, isolate 800m and consider evacuation 1600m downwind; phosphine gas is extremely toxic
— Key Hazards —
• TOXIC and/or CORROSIVE; inhalation, ingestion or contact (skin, eyes) with vapors, dusts or substance
• Reaction with water or moist air may release toxic, corrosive or flammable gases.
• Reaction with water may generate much heat that will increase the concentration of fumes in the air.
— First Actions —
• CALL 911. Then call emergency response telephone number on shipping paper. If shipping paper
• Keep unauthorized personnel away.
• Stay upwind, uphill and/or upstream.
• Ventilate closed spaces before entering, but only if properly trained and equipped.
SOURCE: allfirefighter.com/hazmat/un/3048 | Always use current ERG + SOP/SOGIC BRIEFING
Use for: Incident command briefing, staging area whiteboard, or pre-entry team brief. Full chemical + response details.
UN3048 Aluminum phosphide pesticide Cls6 ERG157 | allfirefighter.com/hazmat/un/3048SMS / 160 CHAR
Use for: Quick text to command or incoming units. Fits in a single SMS. Includes link to full page.
⚠️ Quick-reference only. Always use current ERG + SOP/SOG for incident-specific actions.
Page: https://allfirefighter.com/hazmat/un/3048
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Frequently Asked Questions about UN 3048
TOXIC and/or CORROSIVE; inhalation, ingestion or contact (skin, eyes) with vapors, dusts or substance Reaction with water or moist air may release toxic, corrosive or flammable gases. Reaction with water may generate much heat that will increase the concentration of fumes in the air. Fire will produce irritating, corrosive and/or toxic gases. Runoff from fire control or dilution water may be corrosive and/or toxic and cause environmental Non-combustible, substance itself does not burn but may decompose upon heating to produce corrosive UN1802, UN2032, UN3084, UN3093, UN1796 (above 50%), UN1826 (above 50%), and UN2031 (above Vapors may accumulate in confined areas (basement, tanks, hopper/tank cars, etc.).
CALL 911. Then call emergency response telephone number on shipping paper. If shipping paper Keep unauthorized personnel away. Stay upwind, uphill and/or upstream.
Level A required for spill response; SCBA mandatory; fully encapsulating suit to protect against phosphine gas; do not allow contact with moisture
Water reactivity: Reacts violently with water or moisture, producing highly toxic and flammable phosphine gas (PH3) and heat. Recommended extinguishing: Dry chemical, sand, or dry earth only. Never use water or aqueous agents. Isolate from moisture..
ERG Guide 157 recommendation: ERG 157: Isolate spill 25-50m all directions; for fire, isolate 800m and consider evacuation 1600m downwind; phosphine gas is extremely toxic
No. This is a training/quick-reference aid only. Always consult the current ERG Guide 157 and your department SOP/SOG for incident-specific protective actions.
Sources (high level): DOT/PHMSA marking & class concepts + ERG usage principles.
This page does not reproduce ERG guide text—always consult the current ERG for incident-specific protective actions.