UN/NA Number Reference
DOT Class 6.1 Toxic Substance placard

UN 3048: Aluminum phosphide pesticide

49 CFR 172.101 Hazardous Materials Table·ERG 2024

DOT Classification and Shipping

UN 3048 is assigned the proper shipping name Aluminum phosphide pesticide in the U.S. DOT Hazardous Materials Table (49 CFR 172.101). It is classified as a Class 6.1 Toxic Substance material, Packing Group I. Required label(s): 6.1.

Packing group indicates the degree of danger within a hazard class: PG I is high danger, PG II medium, PG III low. The proper shipping name, hazard class, UN number, and packing group together form the basic shipping description that must appear on shipping papers and, where required, on the package and placard.

Emergency Response (ERG Guide 157)

Hazards: TOXIC and/or CORROSIVE. Reacts with water. Non-combustible in themselves.

Fire: DO NOT use water. Dry chemical, CO2, dry sand.

Spill: Do not touch. Keep material dry.

Chemical and Physical Properties

Aluminum phosphide is a dark gray or dry, yellow, crystalline solid. It reacts with moisture to give phosphine, a flammable and poisonous gas. Normally, phosphine will spontaneously ignite upon contact with air. If there is an excess of water, the phosphine fire will not normally ignite any surrounding combustible material.

CAS Number: 20859-73-8
Molecular Formula: AlP
Molecular Weight: 57.955300 g/mol
Color / Form: Dark gray or dark yellow crystals. Cubic zinc blende structure.
Odor: Garlic odor
Melting Point: Does not melt or decompose at temperatures up to 1832 °F. (EPA, 1998)
Specific Gravity: 2.85 at 59 °F (EPA, 1998) - Denser than water; will sink
Vapor Pressure: Very low, even at 1000 °C
Water Solubility: Reacts with water

Regulatory Data

CERCLA RQ (40 CFR 302.4)
100 lb
EPCRA TPQ (40 CFR 355)
500 lb
RCRA Waste Code(s)
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A release of this material at or above its CERCLA reportable quantity (100 lb) requires immediate notification to the National Response Center at 800-424-8802.

Special Provisions

49 CFR 172.102 special provision codes for this entry: A8, IB7, IP1, T6, TP33, W31. These codes modify the general requirements (packaging, quantity limits, exceptions) for this specific material. Look up each code in 49 CFR 172.102 for the full text.

Need the full interactive record? Open UN 3048 in the SpillNerd lookup tool for the live database entry with placard graphics, GHS pictograms, full segregation tables, and synonym search. For another material, use the UN number and chemical lookup.

Reference data compiled from the DOT Hazardous Materials Table (49 CFR 172.101), the 2024 Emergency Response Guidebook, and public chemical databases (PubChem, NIOSH, EPA). Always verify the correct shipping description against the current regulation and the manufacturer's SDS Section 14 before shipping.