Phosphine (UPAC phosphane) is used as a fumigant against vermin. It is a strong nerve poison and is an effective insecticide (against insects) as well as a rodenticide (against rodents). Phosphine is very volatile and can release into the air very easily. So it is not dangerous for the user, for example when defumigating a container. This has been confirmed by the BfR in its latest report of 10 January 2019.
The situation is quite different when using phosphides, for example of Al, Ca or Mg, which are used to release phosphine very slowly. They are relatively stable in the absense of water. But if these so-called phosphide tablets react with water from the air (humidity), poisonous phosphine is released.
These substances are used for such things as the transport of food raw materials (grain, nuts, soybeans, etc.). It can also happen that the phosphides do not decompose in dry surroundings and are presented to the consumer as phosphine.
It is therefore essential to test for phophine in foodstuffs which are stored or transported for a long time.
With our method (acid hydrolysis or splittingb the phosphide salts, HS-GC/MS) we are able to test for phosphine as well as the potential release of phosphides and can produce an objective and certain result.
This method has been accredited since 2015 and its correctness has been confirmed by an EU ring test in 2018. The testing limits, depending on the matrix, start at 0.1µ/kg.
It is also possible to test for 1,2 dichlorethane, a carcinogenic solvent from different sources according to the BfR which is often found in containers.
Please contact us. We would be glad to inform you.
Contact: Dr. Anna Romanotto (anna.romanotto@pica-berlin.de) or Tel.: +4930 255660062