GPS Product Safety Summary
Document Number: GPSSR-2
RED PHOSPHORUS
GENERAL STATEMENT
GPS summary is intended to provide a general overview of the chemical substances in context of ICCA Global
Product Strategy. The information in the summary is general information about the chemical properties &
hazards involved to human & environment. It is not intended to provide an in-depth discussion of health and
safety information. Additional information is available through the relevant Safety Data Sheet, which should be
consulted before use of the chemical.
CHEMICAL IDENTITY
Name
Chemical Name (IUPAC)
EINECS Number
Molecular Formula
Molecular Weight Range
Structure
:
:
:
:
:
:
Red Phosphorus
Phosphorus red
918-594-3
(P)n (Phosphorus red modification)
>> 123.899
USES AND APPLICATIONS
It is mainly used embedded in polymeric matrices as flame retardant and active ingredient in the friction surface
of match boxes. Furthermore, it is applied in synthesis of biocides for fumigations and as alloy component. It is
used in the manufacture of fine chemicals, Industrial formulation & application of polymer mixtures and
compounds, rubber products, adhesives & sealants. It is also used in the manufacture & use of polymer
preparations and compounds & industrial application as intermediate (metallurgy).
PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL PROPERTIES
Property
Form
Physical state
Colour
Odour
Relative Density
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Value
Solid
Powder
light red to dark reddish brown
Odourless
Density 2.2 kg/L at 20°C
GPS Product Safety Summary
Melting point
Explosive properties
Water solubility
Self ignition temperature
Melting at approximately 600°C (at 42 bar).
Loose heaped powder is not explosive but
might get subject to dust explosions by
being dispersed in mixture with air.
Below 0.3 mg/l at 20°C
About 100°C
HEALTH EFFECTS
Human Health Safety Assessment
No human health hazard was identified.
Consumer : Consumer exposure is very unlikely as the substance is manufactured and handled in industrial
settings.
Worker : Exposure to Red Phosphorus of personnel in manufacturing facilities is considered very low because the
process, storage and handling operations are under controlled conditions. In case of unintended exposure during
maintenance, sampling, testing, or other procedures, workers should follow the recommended safety measures
in the Safety Data Sheet.
Effect Assessment
Acute Toxicity
Oral / inhalation / dermal
Irritant effect on skin &
eyes
Sensitisation
Toxicity after repeated
exposure
Genotoxicity/Mutagenicity
Toxicity for reproduction
Results
Not toxic after oral, dermal, inhalation exposure
Not irritating to skin & eyes
Not sensitising
Not toxic
Not mutagenic
Not toxic for reproduction
ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS
Environment Safety Assessment
For red phosphorus is harmful to aquatic organisms, may cause long-term adverse effects in the aquatic
environment but red phosphorus bioaccumulation can be neglected.
Effect Assessment
Fish toxicity
Daphnia toxicity
Algae toxicity
Bacteria toxicity
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Results
Harmful to fish
Harmful to daphnia
Harmful to algae
Not toxic to bacteria
GPS Product Safety Summary
Long term sediment
toxicity
Long term soil toxicity
Not toxic
Fate and Behaviour
Biodegradation
Bioaccumulation
potential
PBT / vPvB conclusion
Results
Inorganic substance. Causes no biological oxygen consumption.
bioaccumulation potential can be neglected
Not toxic
Not considered to be either PBT or vPvB substance
EXPOSURE
Human Health : Red phosphorus is an insoluble amorphous macromolecule and has no potential to cross
biological membranes. It is not bioavailable so it is not expected that there is a significant exposure of humans or
predators via environment. Therefore neither secondary poisoning nor indirect exposure to humans is required
to be assessed.
Environment : Red phosphorus is manufactured in a batch process in closed systems except for activities such as
quality control sampling and drumming. Drumming and filling is done outdoors. All activities are done
using adequate personal protection.
RISK MANAGEMENT RECOMMENDATIONS
Production processes handling red phosphorus powder are carried out in closed systems under inert gas
atmosphere. Handling red phosphorus in form of a suspension together is done with adequate local exhaustive
ventilation under adequate application of technical preventive measures. Wearing of adequate personal
protection equipment (gloves, goggles, and flame retardant coverall, in special cases even full safety clothes with
aluminium coating, see SDS for details) is predetermined especially during sampling and maintenance.
Decontamination procedures before maintenance are used. Spills are cleared up immediately into a waste water
system with a sewage plant behind. Wastes of the production plant as well as of the sewage plant are
incinerated. Workers are informed regularly on potential risks.
STATE AGENCY REVIEW
This substance has been registered under REACH.
REGULATORY INFORMATION / CLASSIFICATION AND LABELLING
Labeling according CLP regulation (Regulation (EC) No. 1272/2008, as amended):
Labelling required
Signal word:
Danger
Hazard pictogram:
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GPS Product Safety Summary
GHS02: flame
Hazard statements:
H228: Flammable solid.
H412: Harmful to aquatic life with long lasting effects.
Precautionary statements:
P210: Keep away from heat/sparks/open flames/... /hot surfaces.... No smoking.
P240: Ground/bond container and receiving equipment.
P241: Use explosion-proof electrical/ventilating/lighting/... / equipment. (in areas where a dust cloud can occur)
P273: Avoid release to the environment
P280: Wear protective gloves/protective clothing/eye protection/face protection. (in areas where dust can occur)
P370: In case of fire: (Formation of dense, non-transparent, corrosive hazardous mist of combustion gases
consisting of phosphorus oxides (eg. diphosphorus pentaoxide) and phosphoric oxyacidsacids)
P378: Use... for extinction. (water with detergent, water spray jet, water mist, sand, foam)
P501: Dispose of contents/container to industrial incineration plant.
CONCLUSION
The risk assessment of Red Phosphorus as submitted for the REACH registration has revealed safe use conditions
for all identified scenarios.
During production, formulation and industrial use, safe uses for all environmental scenarios were identified.
CONTACT INFORMATION WITHIN COMPANY
Clariant Produkte (Deutschland) GmbH
65926 Frankfurt am Main
Telephone no. : +49 69 305 18000
GLOSSARY
Acute toxicity: harmful effects after a single exposure
Biodegradable: breakdown of materials by a physiological environment
Bioaccumulation : accumulation of substances in the environment
Carcinogenicity: effects causing cancer
Chronic toxicity: harmful effects after repeated exposures
Clastogen: a substance that causes breaks in chromosomes
Embryotoxicity: harmful effects on foetal health
GHS: Global Harmonized System
Hazard: situation bearing a threat to health and environment
Mutagenicity: effects that change genes
Reprotoxicity: combining teratogenicity, embryotoxicity and harmful effects on fertility
Sensitising: allergenic
Teratogenic: effects on foetal morphology
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GPS Product Safety Summary
DATE OF ISSUE
August 2011
REVISION
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
DISCLAIMER
The information contained in this paper is intended as advice only and whilst the information is provided in
utmost good faith and has been based on the best information currently available, is to be relied upon at the
user’s own risk.
No representations or warranties are made with regards to its completeness or accuracy and no liability will be
accepted by Clariant for damages of any nature whatsoever resulting from the use of or reliance on the
information.
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