Not something I have ever heard of - Phos - is it short for something else?  

The only thing I can think of is white phosphorus, whose use in matches is banned under EU rules but it is possible to obtain an exception from the HSE if you have a good reason. White phosphorus as used in matches was a nasty substance and if you have the stomach for it look under “phossy jaw”.

David you need to check the manufacturer's data sheet and find out exactly what it is and why it is in there and then take it from there, I would contact the manufacturer in any case.

Phos or Fos?

We have had at least 3 different possible substances that could be called “Phos”. This goes to show that it is really important that people use the proper name for a substance when making enquiries and look at the SDS.  Remember the supplier MUST provide an upto date SDS of any product that they produce which contains any sort of hazardous substance as defined under CLP.

Mix up can be serious with people not understanding the difference between methylated spirit (alcohol with a little bit of methanol in it) and 100% methanol (wood alcohol) which is very toxic. I could also mention confusion between phosgene (used as a chemical warfare agent in WW1) and phosphine (which has been used as a fumigant but is less dangerous due to its strong smell)

The best code to use is the CAS number which is unique for each substance and as it generated randomly can’t lead to mix ups (similar sounding chemicals a have very different codes).

Currently there are 129 million organic and inorganic substances and on the register plus additional information about each substance. It is updated with around 15,000 additional new substances daily. (Phew!) Several websites can get you free access to the registry including http://www.commonchemistry.org/ amongst others.

The SDS should also have the CAS number on it.  

So butyl alcohol is CAS Number 71-36-3 and Molecular Formula: C4H10O an “official name” of 1-Butanol but it is also known as:

•Propyl Carbinol

•butane-1-ol

•Methylolpropane

•Kauri Butanol Solution

•Hemostyp

•Butyl hydroxide

•Butan-1-ol

•N-BUTYL ALCOHOL

•UN 1120 ( UN number for transport)

•N-BUTANOL

•Propylcarbinol

•BUTANOL

•Butyl alcohol

•1-Butyl alcohol

Plus others

Not getting confused with the pesticide Glyphosate?

ECHA on behalf of the EU has been running conulstation on this for quite some time.

A substance MAY have mutiple CAS Numbers (the number identifies the substance and its method of manufacture) It will only have one EC/Index number

David's original post says it is a substance used within a commercial product to prevent misting above plating tanks.  He knows he needs to get hold of the manufacturer's data sheet that should give him the CAS or ECIndex number for all the main ingredients.  That should give him a starting point for doing further research.  I don't know enough about plating chemicals to be able to help further - is anyone on here a plating expert and knows what is used to prevent misting in the tanks?

PHOs - partially hydrogenated oils, (trans fatty acids, trans fats) have been banned in foods due to the risks of promoting cholesterol and increasing the risk of heart attack.  Presumably if you are not using it in food it isn't banned.  One point that is vital here is that you need to be absolutely sure about the identity of what you are talking about and it shows the danger of relying on acronyms which aren't universally understood and on abbreviations to names that could mean more than one thing.    As a profession we use far too many acronyms and I think that is starting to make us vulnerable to getting the wrong end of a lot of very nasty sticks!!

Originally Posted by: David Bannister

This may be what the OP was searching for.

http://www.pfonline.com/articles/non-pfos-permanent-mist-suppressants-for-hard-chromium-plating-decorative-chromium-plating-and-chromic-etch-applications

Yes, I belive that is it.  Apologies to all for my mispelling which no doubt mislead everyone.

According to Wikipedia-PFOS was the key ingredient in Scotchgard, a fabric protector made by 3M, and numerous stain repellents. It was added to Annex B of the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants in May 2009.  PFOS levels that have been detected in wildlife are considered high enough to affect health parameters, and recently higher serum levels of PFOS were found to be associated with increased risk of chronic kidney disease in the general US population. This association was independent of confounders such as age, sex, etc.

Based on an OECD study on PFOS and a risk assessment by Europe's Scientific Committee on Health and Environmental Risks  the European Union practically banned the use of PFOS in finished and semi-finished products in 2006 (maximum content of PFOS: 0.005% by weight). However, PFOS use for industrial applications e.g. photolithography, mist suppressants for hard chromium plating(-note this) and  hydraulic fluids for aviation, was exempted. In 2009 this directive was incorporated into the REACH regulation. In the summer of 2010 PFOS was added to the regulation on persistent organic pollutants and the threshold was lowered to a maximum of 0.001% by weight (10 mg/kg).