The chemical compound represented by the formula PH3 is phosphine. Phosphine, which is colorless and usually smells like garlic, is a flammable gas that shows poison effect when inhaled. However, pure phosphine gas is odorless. Phosphine, which is a heavier compound than air, has a high explosive property. Therefore, it is among the dangerous substances. Today, phosphine is used effectively in agricultural pesticide studies in agriculture. In addition, cotton fabrics are used as an intermediate in flame retardant properties in the textile sector.

Phosphine is normally the gaseous compound of the element phosphorus. Phosphine is a highly stable gas and toxic. According to World Health Organization data, exposure to 1400 milligram phosphine gas per cubic meter can result in fatal consequences. Based on this feature, phosphine is used in the storage of animal feeds, grains and leaf tobacco, for the destruction of harmful insects.

Another area of ​​phosphine use is the electronics sector. In the development of electronic technology today, the role of semiconductors is quite high and phosphine is used in the production of gallium phosphide, one of the most commonly used semiconductors.

The basis of phosphine poisoning is metal phosphites. When these substances enter the body, they turn into phosphine gas and enter the blood through the stomach and intestines. Some of them are transported to the liver by vein. In addition, phosphine gas is held by the lungs.

In order to regulate the duties, powers and responsibilities of employers and employees in order to ensure occupational health and safety in working environments and to improve the existing health and safety conditions, the Occupational Health and Safety Law was enacted by the Ministry of Labor and Social Security. Under this law, employers must ensure the health and safety of employees. In principle, businesses have to avoid risks, analyze risks if it is not possible to avoid, and combat these risks at source.

For this purpose, enterprises have to carry out necessary measurement, test and analysis studies. Within this framework, according to their field of activity, the companies have to take phosphine gas (PH3) measurements depending on the chemical properties of the various gases in the environment. These measurements are carried out by authorized test and inspection institutions. During the measurements, legal regulations in force and standards published by local and foreign organizations are taken into consideration. One of the standards considered is:

• TS 3851 Phosphine residue determination in aluminum phosphide treated grain (spectrophotometric method)

This standard specifies a spectrophotometric analysis method used to determine the amount of phosphine residue remaining after spraying with aluminum phosphide in stored grains. In the spectrophotometric method, the electromagnetic radiation waves absorbed or emitted during the transitions between the energy levels of the atomic, molecular or ion structures of the elements are measured.

In addition, the Occupational Exposure Limit Values ​​(Annex 1) of the Regulation on Health and Safety Measures in Working with Chemical Substances published by the Ministry of Labor and Social Security (Annex XNUMX) gives the following limit values ​​for phosphine gas:

• Exposure value not exceeding 8 hourly: 0,14 - 0.10
• Exposure value not exceeding 15 minutes: 028 - 0,20