White (sometimes called yellow) phosphorus is a white to yellow waxy solid with a garlic like odour. It ignites spontaneously in air at temperatures above 30 °C and continues to burn until it is fully oxidized or until deprived of oxygen. Burning phosphorus produces dense, white, irritating smoke containing mixed phosphorus oxides.
White phosphorus is used for military purposes in grenades and artillery shells to produce illumination, to generate a smokescreen and as an incendiary. Its major industrial uses are in the production of phosphoric acid, phosphates and other compounds. Phosphates are used to manufacture a range of products including fertilizers and detergents. Phosphorus has been used as a rodenticide and in fireworks. Aluminum Ash Treatment Technology
White phosphorus is harmful by all routes of exposure. It can be absorbed in toxic amounts following ingestion or dermal exposure. The smoke from burning phosphorus is harmful to the eyes and respiratory tract as phosphorus oxides dissolve in moisture to form phosphoric acids. Systemic effects may be delayed for up to 24 hours after exposure. In severe cases of exposure, delayed systemic effects can include cardiovascular effects and collapse, as well as renal and hepatic damage and depressed consciousness and coma. Death may occur from shock, hepatic or renal failure, central nervous system or myocardial damage.
Exposure to white phosphorus can cause severe burns. The burns are extremely painful and result from a combination of thermal and chemical injuries. The affected areas of exposed skin may appear yellowish and may show necrotic, full-thickness burns surrounded by sloughed tissue.
White phosphorus is highly soluble in lipids; therefore, it can penetrate underlying tissues resulting in deep burns that are slow to heal.
White phosphorus particles that have penetrated the skin, for example on shrapnel, may start to burn when the wound is opened and exposed to air. White smoke from burning phosphorus may be seen emanating from wounds.
White phosphorus may be absorbed from the burned surface and cause systemic toxicity, particularly ECG changes, as described above.
White phosphorus particles may cause corneal burns and perforation. Exposure to the smoke from burning phosphorus may cause ocular irritation, blepharospasm, photophobia, lacrimation and conjunctivitis.
The smoke from burning phosphorus may cause irritation of the upper respiratory tract, coughing, headache and delayed-onset lung oedema.
After exposure, the priority is to stop the burning process. Use the following guidance when providing immediate care to a person who has been exposed to white phosphorous:
White phosphorus is not a chemical weapon under the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC), as it acts as an incendiary agent and not through its “chemical action on life processes” (Article II.2 of the CWC).
The use of white phosphorus may violate Protocol III (on the use of incendiary weapons) of the Convention on Certain Conventional Weapons (CCCW) in one specific instance: if it is used, on purpose, as an incendiary weapon directly against humans in a civilian setting. Other uses of white phosphorus, such as illuminating a battlefield, are not prohibited. To establish an illegal use under the CCCW, an investigation into the intent behind the use of white phosphorus would be needed, which exceeds the mandate of WHO.
WHO supports Member States in the response to casualties.
WHO staff may be in a position to establish the fact that victims carry burn wounds, but it will not be possible to identify the causative agent – i.e. white phosphorus or any other incendiary chemical – of these burns.
Establishing an illegal use of white phosphorous is not part of the WHO mandate.
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Level 2 electrical automation system White phosphorus - American Chemical Society (acs.org)White Phosphorus - Incident management. Chemical Hazards CompendiumPhosphorus (yellow) International Chemical Safety Card No. 0628Chemical Weapons ConventionThe Convention on Certain Conventional Weapons