Product Name: Tetrakis(hydroxymethyl) Phosphonium Chloride
Chemical Formula: [CH2OH]4PCl
CAS Number: 124-64-1
Recommended Use: Textile finishing, flame retardant applications, water treatment, oilfield operations
Manufacturer/Supplier: Details vary by supplier and should include address and emergency contact information
Synonyms: THPC
GHS Classification: Acute Toxicity – Oral (Category 3), Skin Corrosion/Irritation (Category 1B), Serious Eye Damage (Category 1), Water Hazardous (Category 3)
Label Elements: Pictograms – Skull and crossbones, corrosion symbol
Signal Word: Danger
Hazard Statements: Toxic if swallowed, causes severe skin burns and eye damage, harmful to aquatic life
Precautionary Statements: Avoid inhalation, ingesting, or contact with skin and eyes, use with proper ventilation, keep away from incompatible materials, follow PPE guidelines strictly
Chemical Identity: Tetrakis(hydroxymethyl) Phosphonium Chloride
Concentration: Can range from 50% to 80% in commercial solutions
Impurities/Additives: Trace amounts of formaldehyde, water, or stabilizers may be present
EC Number: 204-707-1
Inhalation: Move victim to fresh air untreated exposure can restrict breathing and requires immediate medical attention, oxygen, or inhalation support
Skin Contact: Quickly remove contaminated clothing, flush exposed skin with plenty of water, wash with soap for at least 15 minutes
Eye Contact: Flush eyes immediately with plenty of water for at least 15 minutes, hold eyelids apart, obtain urgent medical care.
Ingestion: Rinse mouth thoroughly, never give anything by mouth to an unconscious person, seek prompt medical help, do not induce vomiting unless instructed
General Advice: Show the safety data sheet to first responders, support respiratory and cardiovascular functions as needed
Suitable Extinguishing Media: Water spray, alcohol-resistant foam, dry chemical, carbon dioxide
Specific Hazards: Emits toxic and corrosive fumes including hydrogen chloride, oxides of phosphorus, and formaldehyde under combustion
Protective Equipment: Firefighters should use self-contained breathing apparatus and full resistant clothing
Firefighting Procedures: Approach from upwind, prevent fire-fighting runoff from entering drains or waterways, evacuate unnecessary personnel, all protective measures must be observed due to reactivity and toxicity
Personal Precautions: Evacuate area, wear chemical splash goggles, impervious gloves and clothing, respirators where risk of vapor inhalation
Environmental Precautions: Prevent spills from reaching sewers or open water; notify authorities in case of uncontrolled release
Methods for Clean Up: Absorb with inert material such as sand or earth, collect in approved containers, decontaminate area with dilute sodium carbonate solution, ventilate area well
Safe Handling of Waste: Dispose residues in accordance with local hazardous waste regulations
Handling: Avoid splashing and aerosol generation, use proper ventilation, wear appropriate PPE (gloves, goggles, face shield, acid-resistant clothing), do not breathe vapors or mist, no eating, drinking, or smoking during use
Storage: Keep containers tightly closed in cool, well-ventilated locations, store apart from incompatible substances (strong oxidizers, alkalis, reducing agents), use corrosion-resistant materials for storage areas
Storage Temperature: Maintain at ambient temperatures, protect from freezing and heat, limit exposure to sunlight
Container Materials: Use containers of polyethylene, stainless steel, or glass, avoid aluminum or other reactive metals
Occupational Exposure Limits: No specific exposure limits set for THPC; as a precaution, minimize time-weighted exposure
Engineering Controls: Use fume hoods, local exhaust ventilation systems, and containment procedures
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE): Chemical-resistant gloves (nitrile or butyl rubber), splash goggles, face shield, chemical apron and boots, respiratory protection in case of inadequate ventilation
Hygiene Measures: Wash hands before breaks and after handling, change contaminated clothing, provide eye wash stations and emergency showers
Appearance: Clear, colorless to pale yellow liquid
Odor: Mild, formaldehyde-like
Odor Threshold: Not available
pH: 3-5 (aqueous solution)
Melting/Freezing Point: Dependent on concentration, typically below 0°C
Boiling Point: Approx. 105°C (solution)
Flash Point: Not flammable
Evaporation Rate: No data
Flammability: Non-flammable
Vapor Pressure: Low
Vapor Density: Not determined
Solubility: Miscible with water
Partition Coefficient: Not measured
Auto-ignition Temperature: Not available
Decomposition Temperature: May decompose above 120°C
Viscosity: Variable (depends on concentration)
Chemical Stability: Stable under recommended storage conditions
Reactivity: Reacts with oxidizing agents and strong bases, reacts with alkalis to release toxic organic vapors
Hazardous Decomposition Products: Hydrogen chloride, phosphine, formaldehyde under fire or strong heat
Incompatible Materials: Strong reducing agents, alkalis, oxidizing substances, some metals
Polymerization: Does not polymerize under normal conditions
Acute Toxicity: Oral LD50 (rat) ranges from 10 to 50 mg/kg, skin and eye contact causes severe irritation and burns
Skin Corrosion/Irritation: Corrosive to skin, can cause deep tissue damage
Serious Eye Damage/Irritation: Serious risk of permanent damage or blindness from eye contact
Respiratory Sensitization: Can irritate respiratory tract, coughing, difficulty breathing on high exposure
Mutagenicity: Some evidence for genotoxicity, more studies needed for clear risk assessment
Chronic Exposure: Prolonged contact may affect kidney, liver, and central nervous system, reports of allergic reactions
Exposure Routes: Ingestion, skin, eyes, inhalation
Carcinogenicity: No classification by IARC, OSHA, or NTP
Aquatic Toxicity: Harmful to fish and aquatic organisms with LC50 (Fish, 96h): 19 mg/L
Persistence and Degradability: May degrade in water but produces harmful byproducts
Bioaccumulation: No significant bioaccumulation expected
Mobility in Soil: Highly mobile in water, may migrate in aquatic environments threatening ecosystems
Other Adverse Effects: Alteration of local microbial activity possible, risk of formaldehyde release
Waste Treatment Methods: Neutralize with sodium carbonate or lime before disposal
Container Disposal: Triple rinse containers, puncture, and dispose in accordance with local legislation
Disposal of Product: Collect in sealed, labeled hazardous waste containers, incinerate under controlled conditions if possible
Precautions: Wear full PPE during disposal, prevent release to sewers or natural waters
UN Number: 2922
Proper Shipping Name: Corrosive Liquid, Toxic, N.O.S. (contains Tetrakis(hydroxymethyl) phosphonium chloride)
Transport Hazard Class: 8 (Corrosive), 6.1 (Toxic)
Packing Group: II
Labels Required: Toxic, Corrosive
Special Transport Precautions: Secure containers upright, segregate from incompatible items, ensure trained personnel handle and document transfer, emergency numbers and spill procedures accompany each shipment
OSHA Hazard Classification: Acute toxicity, skin and eye irritation, corrosive
TSCA: Listed
REACH Status: Registered, subject to substance restrictions in Europe
SARA Title III: Not specifically listed, but may be reportable if thresholds for toxic or environmental effects are exceeded
WHMIS (Canada): Class E: Corrosive, Class D2B: Toxic
Additional Regulatory Notes: Local laws may be more stringent; compliance with governmental regulations on workplace safety, environmental release, and waste management remains necessary at all sites handling the compound
