Guidance

Arsine and stibine: general information

Updated 13 May 2024

Overview

Arsine is a colourless, non-irritating, flammable, toxic gas with a mild garlic odour. Other names for arsine include arsenic hydride, arsenic trihydride, arseniuretted hydrogen, arsenious hydride, hydrogen arsenide and Agent SA.

Stibine is a colourless gas with a disagreeable odour that resembles rotten eggs. Other names for stibine include antimony hydride and antimony trihydride.

Uses of arsine and stibine

Arsine and stibine are extensively used in the semiconductor industry as doping agents. Arsine is also used as an agent in the manufacture of light-emitting diodes and glass dyes and in the production of microchips.

How arsine and stibine get into the environment

Small amounts of arsine may be produced and released into the environment from natural processes involving bacteria and fungi.

Industrial processes, including welding, soldering, refining, galvanising and etching may lead to the accidental formation of arsine or stibine. Overcharging of lead storage batteries can also lead to the production of arsine and stibine.

Exposure to arsine or stibine

The general population is not likely to be exposed to arsine and stibine. Exposure is more likely to occur in the workplace where arsine and stibine may be used or accidentally formed. However, safe limits are enforced to protect employees and such levels are below those believed to cause harmful effects.

How exposure to arsine or stibine could affect your health

The presence of arsine and stibine in the environment does not always lead to exposure. For them to cause any adverse health effects, you must come into contact with them. You may be exposed by breathing in the substances or by skin contact. Following exposure to any chemical, the adverse health effects that you may encounter depend on several factors, including:

• the amount to which you are exposed (the dose)
• the way you are exposed
• the duration of exposure
• the form of the chemical
• if you were exposed to any other chemicals

Symptoms of poisoning may be delayed for several hours. Inhalation may cause headaches, thirst, dizziness and breathlessness, followed by feeling and being sick and stomach ache. Red urine may develop after 4 to 6 hours and skin and eyes may discolour to orange. There may be numbness and pain in the extremities.

After 1 to 2 days, fever, anaemia, jaundice, enlargement of the liver and pulmonary oedema may occur. Liver and kidney failure may occur.

Arsine or stibine and cancer

There are no data available to assess the carcinogenicity of arsine or stibine. Arsine is broken down in the body into a number of compounds some of which are recognised as known human carcinogens by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC).

Prolonged exposure may, therefore, result in an increased risk of cancer.

Pregnancy and the unborn child

There are limited data available on the direct effects of exposure to arsine or stibine during pregnancy. Therefore, it is not possible to draw any definitive conclusions. Effects on the unborn child are more likely to occur if the exposure to arsine or stibine causes the mother to become unwell.

Children

Children will be affected by arsine and stibine in the same way as adults.

What to do if you are exposed to arsine or stibine

It is very unlikely that the general population will be exposed to a level of arsine or stibine high enough to cause adverse health effects. Arsine and stibine are not used in the home, therefore exposure in the home is unlikely. However, if you have any health concerns regarding exposure to acetonitrile seek guidance from your GP or contact NHS 111.

Additional sources of information

NHS.UK has more information on poisoning

The information contained in this document from the UKHSA Radiation, Chemicals and Environment Directorate is correct at the time of its publication.

Email chemcompendium@ukhsa.gov.uk if you have any questions about this guidance or enquiries@ukhsa.gov.uk if you have any other questions.