414 Phosphoric Acid
http://www.intox.org – Phosphine (Poisons Information
Monograph 865 from the International Programme on
Chemical Safety).
Phosphoric Acid
Samantha E Gad and Russell Barbare
& 2005 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
This article is a revision of the previous print edition
article by Jayne E Ash and Shayne C Gad, volume 2,
p. 523, & 1998, Elsevier Inc.
* CHEMICAL ABSTRACTS SERVICE REGISTRY NUMBER:
CAS 7664-38-2
* SYNONYMS: Orthophosphoric acid; Hydrogen
phosphate
* CHEMICAL/PHARMACEUTICAL/OTHER CLASS: Inorgan-
ic acids; Corrosive mineral acids
* CHEMICAL FORMULA: H3PO4
* CHEMICAL STRUCTURE:
OH
HO P O
OH
Uses
Phosphoric acid is a component of fertilizers (80% of
total use), detergents, and many household cleaning
products. Dilute solutions have a pleasing acid taste;
thus, it’s also used as a food additive, lending acidic
properties to soft drinks and other prepared foods,
and in water treatment products. It is also used in
rust proofing, engraving, and metal coating and is an
intermediate or reagent in many manufacturing proc-
esses. Phosphoric acid also occurs naturally in many
fruits and their juices. Apart from use of phosphoric
acid itself, the greatest consumption of phosphoric
acid is in the manufacture of phosphate salts. Taking
advantage of its ability to lower blood pH, phos-
phoric acid has been used therapeutically to treat
lead poisoning.
Exposure Routes and Pathways
Inhalation of mist, ingestion, and dermal, ocular, and
mucous membrane contact are possible routes of
exposure. Because phosphoric acid has a low vapor
pressure, it must be aerosolized somehow and
become airborne in order to affect the respiratory tract.
Toxicokinetics
Phosphoric acid is rapidly absorbed from the gastro-
intestinal tract and through the skin.
http://www.epa.gov – Phosphine (from the US Environ-
mental Protection Agency’s Air Toxics Website).
Mechanism of Toxicity
Because of its acidic properties, phosphoric acid pro-
duces toxicity much like any other acid. Excessive
exposure causes corrosion on contact and disruption
of internal pH balance (acidosis) when large con-
centrations are distributed systemically.
Acute and Short-Term Toxicity
(or Exposure)
Animal
Phosphoric acid is irritating to the skin and eyes of
rabbits. In rats the oral LD50 is 1530 mg kg
1, the
inhalation LC50 4850 mg m
3, and the no-observed-
adverse-effect level is 180 mg m
3.
Human
Exposure to highly concentrated solutions can irri-
tate the skin and mucous membranes. Phosphoric
acid is highly corrosive. If ingested, corrosion
damage may occur to the gastrointestinal tract and
nausea and vomiting are possible. The inhalation of
acid mist may cause irritation to the throat and lungs
leading to reactive airway dysfunction and respira-
tory failure in extreme cases.
Chronic Toxicity (or Exposure)
Animal
Chronic inhalation studies have been conducted with
combustion products of phosphorus with plastics or
felt. These products produce phosphoric acid on
contact with the water in tissue but also have effects
from the other combustion products. Deaths and
respiratory damage occurred in all species studied if
the dose was high enough. Fetal effects were seen in
rats exposed in utero. Effects included increased
mortality and decreased pup body weights.
Human
Bronchiolar fibrosis has been reported with chroni-
cally high exposures. However, chronic inhalation
exposure at the low levels most exposed individuals
are likely to experience, produces no changes in
pulmonary function, or in other effects occasionally

reported, including reduced leukocyte count, or re-
duced hand bone density.
Clinical Management
Gastric lavage and emetics should be avoided after
exposure to phosphoric or other acids, should not be
induced. An exposed area should be washed with
copious amounts of water and a neutralizer such as
magnesium oxide, lime water, or aluminum hydroxide
gel. Eyes should be irrigated with large amounts of
water.
Environmental Fate
Phosphoric acid quickly disperses in natural water
sources. The acidity of this compound is eventually
reduced but phosphate may persist indefinitely.
Ecotoxicology
Phosphoric acid percolates through soil and is harm-
ful to aquatic life due to its acidity. If undiluted, it
will destroy vegetation. When entering the water
table, phosphate remaining from the reduction of
phosphoric acid can stimulate marine and fresh
water algae and plant growth, leading to algae
blooms and eutrophication.
Exposure Standards and Guidelines
The American Conference of Governmental Indus-
trial Hygienists threshold limit value (TLV) and the
Phosphorus
Heriberto Robles
& 2005 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
* CHEMICAL ABSTRACTS SERVICE REGISTRY NUMBER:
CAS 7723-14-0
* SYNONYMS: Elemental phosphorus; White phos-
phorus; Red phosphorus; Yellow phosphorus
* CHEMICAL FORMULA: P
Uses
Phosphorus is used in the manufacture of weapons,
insecticides, fertilizers, and rodenticides.
Background Information
Phosphorus is found in rocks, soil, plants, and animal
tissues. Commercial preparations of phosphorus are
Phosphorus 415
Occupational Safety and Health Administration per-
missible limit value is 1 mg m
3 of air; TLV
STEL
(short-term exposure limit) is 3 mg m
3. Phosphoric
acid is listed by the US Food and Drug Administra-
tion on the ‘Generally Recognized as Safe’ list when
used according to good manufacturing practices. The
Food and Agriculture Organization considers less
than 30 mg kg
1 of body weight safe when ingested
in foods.
See also: Acids; Corrosives.
Further Reading
Bingham E (2001) Phosphorus, selenium, tellurium, and
sulfur. In: Bingham E, Cohrssen B, and Powell CH (eds.)
Patty’s Toxicology, 5th edn., vol. 3, pp. 465–466. New
York: Wiley.
Relevant Websites
http://www.osha.gov – Chemical Sampling Information:
Phosphoric Acid. US Department of Labor, Occupational
Safety and Health Administration.
http://toxnet.nlm.nih.gov – TOXNET, Specialized Infor-
mation Services, National Library of Medicine. Search
for Phosphoric Acid.
http://www.ccohs.ca – Health Effects Phosphoric Acid.
Canadian Center for Occupational Health and Safety.
http://www.oehha.ca.gov – Chronic Toxicity Summary:
Phosphoric Acid. California Office of Environmental
Health and Hazard Assessment.
either white or yellow. Yellow phosphorus is white
phosphorus that contains small quantities of red
phosphorus. Heating white phosphorus in the pres-
ence of an oxygen-free and inert atmosphere pro-
duces red phosphorus.
Phosphorus is an essential mineral element. Phos-
phorus homeostasis in the body is controlled by hor-
monal and renal control systems. Phosphorus
intoxication from excessive consumption in food is
not known. Toxic exposures have been reported to
occur from its industrial use or from suicidal ingest-
ion of phosphorus-containing materials. Phosphorus
is highly toxic to humans and animals. The acute
lethal dose in humans is B1 mg kg
1.
Phosphorus has a garlic-like odor and, when
exposed to air, it produces a white smoke and a gre-
enish light. These physical properties can help the
clinician in the diagnosis of phosphorus poisoning as