☣️ UN 3525 • CLASS 2
Phosphine, adsorbed
Placard: Toxic Gas. 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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Quick details
UN 3525
Class: 2
Placard type: Toxic Gas
ERG: Guide 173 (check current ERG)
Isolation: ERG 173: isolate 100m in all directions; for large spill isolate 800m in all directions; evacuate downwind 1600m during day or 2400m at night if fire or large release
Chemical & Response Details
| Also known as | Hydrogen phosphidePhosphorus trihydridePH3Phosphane |
| CAS Number | 7803-51-2 |
| Appearance | Colorless gas with a disagreeable, fish-like or garlic-like odor. Highly toxic and pyrophoric (may ignite spontaneously in air at concentrations above 200 ppm). |
| Flash Point | Not applicable (pyrophoric gas, spontaneously flammable in air) |
| Boiling Point | -87.7C (-125.9F) |
| Vapor Density | 1.17 (heavier than air) |
| Water Reactivity | Reacts slowly with water to produce phosphorous acid and hydrogen; reaction accelerates with heat |
| Extinguishing | Do not use water or foam; use dry chemical or carbon dioxide if container fire; protect exposures with water spray from unmanned position |
| PPE | ⚠️ Level A required; SCBA with full facepiece; chemical-resistant suit; extreme caution due to high toxicity and pyrophoric nature |
| Isolation | ERG 173: isolate 100m in all directions; for large spill isolate 800m in all directions; evacuate downwind 1600m during day or 2400m at night if fire or large release |
Chemical details are general reference only. Always verify with current SDS, ERG, and SOP/SOG.
Common hazards (high level)
- TOXIC; may be fatal if inhaled or absorbed through skin.
- Vapors may be irritating.
- Contact with gas may cause burns and injury.
- Fire will produce irritating, corrosive and/or toxic gases.
- Runoff from fire control or dilution water may cause environmental contamination.
- Some gases may burn or be ignited by heat, sparks or flames.
- May form explosive mixtures with air.
- Oxidizers may ignite combustibles (wood, paper, oil, clothing, etc.) but NOT readily due to low
First actions (field-minded)
- CALL 911. Then call emergency response telephone number on shipping paper. If shipping paper
- Keep unauthorized personnel away.
- Stay upwind, uphill and/or upstream.
- Many gases are heavier than air and will spread along the ground and collect in low or confined areas
- Ventilate closed spaces before entering, but only if properly trained and equipped.
- Isolate spill or leak area for at least 100 meters (330 feet) in all directions.
- See Table 1 - Initial Isolation and Protective Action Distances.
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UN 3525 — Phosphine, adsorbed HAZMAT RADIO NOTE — UN 3525
Product: Phosphine, adsorbed
Class 2 / Toxic Gas / ERG 173
PPE: Level A required; SCBA with full facepiece; chemical-resistant suit; extreme caution due to high toxicity and pyrophoric nature
ISOLATION: ERG 173: isolate 100m in all directions; for large spill isolate 800m in all directions; evacuate downwind 1600m during day or 2400m at night if fire or large release
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 3525 — Phosphine, adsorbed
Class: 2 | Placard: Toxic Gas | ERG Guide: 173
Appearance: Colorless gas with a disagreeable, fish-like or garlic-like odor. Highly toxic and pyrophoric (may ignite spontaneously in air at concentrations above 200 ppm).
Water Reactivity: Reacts slowly with water to produce phosphorous acid and hydrogen; reaction accelerates with heat
Extinguishing: Do not use water or foam; use dry chemical or carbon dioxide if container fire; protect exposures with water spray from unmanned position
PPE: Level A required; SCBA with full facepiece; chemical-resistant suit; extreme caution due to high toxicity and pyrophoric nature
Isolation: ERG 173: isolate 100m in all directions; for large spill isolate 800m in all directions; evacuate downwind 1600m during day or 2400m at night if fire or large release
— Key Hazards —
• TOXIC; may be fatal if inhaled or absorbed through skin.
• Vapors may be irritating.
• Contact with gas may cause burns and injury.
— 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.
• Many gases are heavier than air and will spread along the ground and collect in low or confined areas
SOURCE: allfirefighter.com/hazmat/un/3525 | Always use current ERG + SOP/SOGIC BRIEFING
Use for: Incident command briefing, staging area whiteboard, or pre-entry team brief. Full chemical + response details.
UN3525 Phosphine, adsorbed Cls2 ERG173 | ERG 173: isolate 100m in all directions; for large spill isolate 800m in all dir | allfirefighter.com/hazmat/un/3525SMS / 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/3525
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FAQ
TOXIC; may be fatal if inhaled or absorbed through skin. Vapors may be irritating. Contact with gas may cause burns and injury. Fire will produce irritating, corrosive and/or toxic gases. Runoff from fire control or dilution water may cause environmental contamination. Some gases may burn or be ignited by heat, sparks or flames. May form explosive mixtures with air. Oxidizers may ignite combustibles (wood, paper, oil, clothing, etc.) but NOT readily due to low
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; SCBA with full facepiece; chemical-resistant suit; extreme caution due to high toxicity and pyrophoric nature
No. This is a training/quick-reference aid only. Always consult the current ERG Guide 173 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.