(Also known as: polytanol; tricalcium diphosphide)
SUMMARY
Calcium phosphide is a gas generating compound that is used to control rodents. It is not highly volatile and is not expected to be persistent in the environment. It is highly toxic to birds and most aquatic organisms. It is also highly toxic to mammals if ingested and is an irritant.
Data alerts
The following alerts are based on the data in the tables below. An absence of an alert does not imply the substance has no implications for human health, biodiversity or the environment but just that we do not have the data to form a judgement.
Example manufacturers & suppliers of products using this active now or historically
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Example products using this active
Polytanol
Formulation and application details
Usually supplied as a phosphine gas generating product
ENVIRONMENTAL FATE
Property
Value
Source; quality score; and other information
Interpretation
Solubility - In water at 20 °C (mg l⁻¹)
-
-
-
Solubility - In organic solvents at 20 °C (mg l⁻¹)
-
-
-
Melting point (°C)
1600
A5 A = EU regulatory and evaluation data as published by EC, EFSA (RAR, DAR & Conclusion dossiers), EMA (e.g. EU Annex III PIC DGD) (EU - Pesticides database; EFSA Scientific Publications ) 5 = Verified data used for regulatory purposes
-
Boiling point (°C)
-
-
-
Degradation point (°C)
360
A5 A = EU regulatory and evaluation data as published by EC, EFSA (RAR, DAR & Conclusion dossiers), EMA (e.g. EU Annex III PIC DGD) (EU - Pesticides database; EFSA Scientific Publications ) 5 = Verified data used for regulatory purposes
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Flashpoint (°C)
-
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Octanol-water partition coefficient at pH 7, 20 °C
P
-
-
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Log P
-
-
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Fat solubility of residues
Solubility
-
-
-
Data type
-
-
-
Density (g ml⁻¹)
1.274
A5 A = EU regulatory and evaluation data as published by EC, EFSA (RAR, DAR & Conclusion dossiers), EMA (e.g. EU Annex III PIC DGD) (EU - Pesticides database; EFSA Scientific Publications ) 5 = Verified data used for regulatory purposes
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Dissociation constant pKa) at 25 °C
Not applicable
A5 A = EU regulatory and evaluation data as published by EC, EFSA (RAR, DAR & Conclusion dossiers), EMA (e.g. EU Annex III PIC DGD) (EU - Pesticides database; EFSA Scientific Publications ) 5 = Verified data used for regulatory purposes
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No dissociation
Vapour pressure at 20 °C (mPa)
1.0
A5 A = EU regulatory and evaluation data as published by EC, EFSA (RAR, DAR & Conclusion dossiers), EMA (e.g. EU Annex III PIC DGD) (EU - Pesticides database; EFSA Scientific Publications ) 5 = Verified data used for regulatory purposes
Low volatility. If applied directly to plants or soil, drift is a concern & mitigation is advisable
Henry's law constant at 25 °C (Pa m³ mol⁻¹)
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Volatilisation as max % of applied dose lost
From plant surface
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From soil surface
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Maximum UV-vis absorption L mol⁻¹ cm⁻¹
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-
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Surface tension (mN m⁻¹)
-
-
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Degradation
Property
Value
Source; quality score; and other information
Interpretation
General biodegradability
-
Soil degradation (days) (aerobic)
DT₅₀ (typical)
0.01
A3 A = EU regulatory and evaluation data as published by EC, EFSA (RAR, DAR & Conclusion dossiers), EMA (e.g. EU Annex III PIC DGD) (EU - Pesticides database; EFSA Scientific Publications ) 3 = Unverified data of known source
Non-persistent
DT₅₀ (lab at 20 °C)
0.01
A3 A = EU regulatory and evaluation data as published by EC, EFSA (RAR, DAR & Conclusion dossiers), EMA (e.g. EU Annex III PIC DGD) (EU - Pesticides database; EFSA Scientific Publications ) 3 = Unverified data of known source
Non-persistent
DT₅₀ (field)
0.01
A3 A = EU regulatory and evaluation data as published by EC, EFSA (RAR, DAR & Conclusion dossiers), EMA (e.g. EU Annex III PIC DGD) (EU - Pesticides database; EFSA Scientific Publications ) 3 = Unverified data of known source
Non-persistent
DT₉₀ (lab at 20 °C)
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DT₉₀ (field)
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DT₅₀ modelling endpoint
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Note
Substance is rapidly converted to gas which is volatilised
Dissipation rate RL₅₀ (days) on plant matrix
Value
-
-
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Note
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Dissipation rate RL₅₀ (days) on and in plant matrix
Value
-
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Note
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Aqueous photolysis DT₅₀ (days) at pH 7
Value
-
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Note
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Aqueous hydrolysis DT₅₀ (days) at 20 °C and pH 7
Value
-
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Note
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Water-sediment DT₅₀ (days)
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Water phase only DT₅₀ (days)
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Air degradation
As this parameter is not normally measured directly, a surrogate measure is used: ‘Photochemical oxidative DT₅₀’. Where data is available, this can be found in the Fate Indices section below.
Decay in stored produce DT₅₀
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Soil adsorption and mobility
Property
Value
Source; quality score; and other information
Interpretation
Linear
Kd (mL g⁻¹)
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Koc (mL g⁻¹)
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Notes and range
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Freundlich
Kf (mL g⁻¹)
-
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Kfoc (mL g⁻¹)
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1/n
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Notes and range
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pH sensitivity
-
Fate indices
Property
Value
Source; quality score; and other information
Interpretation
GUS leaching potential index
-
-
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SCI-GROW groundwater index (μg l⁻¹) for a 1 kg ha⁻¹ or 1 l ha⁻¹ application rate
Value
Cannot be calculated
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Note
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Potential for particle bound transport index
Low
Calculated
-
Potential for loss via drain flow
Calculated
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Photochemical oxidative DT₅₀ (hrs) as indicator of long-range air transport risk
A5 A = EU regulatory and evaluation data as published by EC, EFSA (RAR, DAR & Conclusion dossiers), EMA (e.g. EU Annex III PIC DGD) (EU - Pesticides database; EFSA Scientific Publications ) 5 = Verified data used for regulatory purposes
Colinus virginianus
High
Birds - Short term dietary (LC₅₀/LD₅₀)
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Birds - Chronic 21d NOEL (mg kg⁻¹ bw d⁻¹)
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-
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Earthworms - Acute 14 day LC₅₀ (mg kg⁻¹)
> 400
A5 A = EU regulatory and evaluation data as published by EC, EFSA (RAR, DAR & Conclusion dossiers), EMA (e.g. EU Annex III PIC DGD) (EU - Pesticides database; EFSA Scientific Publications ) 5 = Verified data used for regulatory purposes
Eisenia foetida as product
Moderate
Earthworms - Chronic NOEC, reproduction (mg kg⁻¹)
-
-
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Soil micro-organisms
Nitrogen mineralisation: No significant adverse effect Dihydrogenase activity: No significant adverse effect
A5 A = EU regulatory and evaluation data as published by EC, EFSA (RAR, DAR & Conclusion dossiers), EMA (e.g. EU Annex III PIC DGD) (EU - Pesticides database; EFSA Scientific Publications ) 5 = Verified data used for regulatory purposes
Dose: product 28% calcium phosphide 28 Day
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Collembola
Acute LC₅₀ (mg kg⁻¹)
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Chronic NOEC (mg kg⁻¹)
-
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Non-target plants
-
-
-
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Honeybees (Apis spp.)
Contact acute LD₅₀ (worst case from 24, 48 and 72 hour values - μg bee⁻¹)
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Oral acute LD₅₀ (worst case from 24, 48 and 72 hour values - μg bee⁻¹)
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Unknown mode acute LD₅₀ (worst case from 24, 48 and 72 hour values - μg bee⁻¹)
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Chronic
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Bumblebees (Bombus spp.)
Contact acute LD₅₀ (worst case from 24, 48 and 72 hour values - μg bee⁻¹)
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-
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Oral acute LD₅₀ (worst case from 24, 48 and 72 hour values - μg bee⁻¹)
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Mason bees (Osmia spp.)
Contact acute LD₅₀ (worst case from 24, 48 and 72 hour values - μg bee⁻¹)
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Oral acute LD₅₀ (worst case from 24, 48 and 72 hour values - μg bee⁻¹)
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Other bee species (1)
Acute LD₅₀ (worst case from 24, 48 and 72 hour values - μg insect⁻¹)
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Mode of exposure
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Other bee species (2)
Acute LD₅₀ (worst case from 24, 48 and 72 hour values - μg insect⁻¹)
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Mode of exposure
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Beneficial insects (Ladybirds)
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Beneficial insects (Lacewings)
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Beneficial insects (Parasitic wasps)
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Beneficial insects (Predatory mites)
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Beneficial insects (Ground beetles)
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Aquatic ecotoxicology
Property
Value
Source; quality score; and other information
Interpretation
Temperate Freshwater Fish - Acute 96 hour LC₅₀ (mg l⁻¹)
0.000105
A3 A = EU regulatory and evaluation data as published by EC, EFSA (RAR, DAR & Conclusion dossiers), EMA (e.g. EU Annex III PIC DGD) (EU - Pesticides database; EFSA Scientific Publications ) 3 = Unverified data of known source
Lepomis macrochirus as phosphine
High
Temperate Freshwater Fish - Chronic 21 day NOEC (mg l⁻¹)
-
-
-
Tropical Freshwater Fish - Acute 96 hour LC₅₀ (mg l⁻¹)
A3 A = EU regulatory and evaluation data as published by EC, EFSA (RAR, DAR & Conclusion dossiers), EMA (e.g. EU Annex III PIC DGD) (EU - Pesticides database; EFSA Scientific Publications ) 3 = Unverified data of known source
A5 A = EU regulatory and evaluation data as published by EC, EFSA (RAR, DAR & Conclusion dossiers), EMA (e.g. EU Annex III PIC DGD) (EU - Pesticides database; EFSA Scientific Publications ) 5 = Verified data used for regulatory purposes
Rat
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Other Mammal toxicity endpoints
-
-
-
ADI - Acceptable Daily Intake (mg kg⁻¹ bw day⁻¹)
0.03
A5 A = EU regulatory and evaluation data as published by EC, EFSA (RAR, DAR & Conclusion dossiers), EMA (e.g. EU Annex III PIC DGD) (EU - Pesticides database; EFSA Scientific Publications ) 5 = Verified data used for regulatory purposes
Rat SF=100
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ARfD - Acute Reference Dose (mg kg⁻¹ bw day⁻¹)
0.051
A5 A = EU regulatory and evaluation data as published by EC, EFSA (RAR, DAR & Conclusion dossiers), EMA (e.g. EU Annex III PIC DGD) (EU - Pesticides database; EFSA Scientific Publications ) 5 = Verified data used for regulatory purposes
A5 A = EU regulatory and evaluation data as published by EC, EFSA (RAR, DAR & Conclusion dossiers), EMA (e.g. EU Annex III PIC DGD) (EU - Pesticides database; EFSA Scientific Publications ) 5 = Verified data used for regulatory purposes
Rat SF=100
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Dermal penetration studies (%)
10
A5 A = EU regulatory and evaluation data as published by EC, EFSA (RAR, DAR & Conclusion dossiers), EMA (e.g. EU Annex III PIC DGD) (EU - Pesticides database; EFSA Scientific Publications ) 5 = Verified data used for regulatory purposes
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Dangerous Substances Directive 76/464
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Exposure Routes
Public
Negligible risk via dietary exposure Unknown risk to bystanders
Occupational
No unacceptable risks to operators or other workers identified
MRLs
European
EU MRL pesticide database 
Great Britain
GB MRL Register 
Notes
-
Drinking Water Standards
-
-
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Drinking Water MAC (μg l⁻¹)
0.1
A5 A = EU regulatory and evaluation data as published by EC, EFSA (RAR, DAR & Conclusion dossiers), EMA (e.g. EU Annex III PIC DGD) (EU - Pesticides database; EFSA Scientific Publications ) 5 = Verified data used for regulatory purposes
EU Dir 89/778/EC limit
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Mammalian dose elimination route and rate
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Health issues
Specific human health issues
Carcinogen
Genotoxic
Endocrine disruptor
XNo, known not to cause a problem
A3 A = Chromosome aberration (EFSA database) 3 = Negative
;
B0 B = DNA damage/repair (EFSA database) 0 = No data
;
C0 C = Gene mutation (EFSA database) 0 = No data
;
D0 D = Genome mutation (EFSA database) 0 = No data
;
E2 E = Unspecified genotoxicity type (miscellaneous data source) 2 = Mixed/ambiguous results
No data found
Reproduction / development effects
Acetyl cholinesterase inhibitor
Neurotoxicant
No data found
XNo, known not to cause a problem
No data found
Respiratory tract irritant
Skin irritant
Skin sensitiser
✓Yes, known to cause a problem
✓Yes, known to cause a problem
No data found
Eye irritant
Phototoxicant
 
✓Yes, known to cause a problem
No data found
 
General human health issues
Inhalation of phosphine may cause lung oedema Inhalation or ingestion causes faintness, weakness, nausea, vomiting
Handling issues
Property
Value and interpretation
General
Contact with water releases the flammable, toxic gas phosphine Dangerous when wet IMDG Transport Hazard Class 4.3, 6.1
Lewis, K.A., Tzilivakis, J., Warner, D. and Green, A. (2016) An international database for pesticide risk assessments and management. Human and Ecological Risk Assessment: An International Journal, 22(4), 1050-1064. DOI: 10.1080/10807039.2015.1133242