what does white phosphorus do to the human body ?
what does white phosphorus do to the human body？
HIGHLIGHTS: White phosphorus is a waxy solid which burns easily and is used in chemical manufacturing and smoke munitions. Exposure to white phosphorus may cause burns and irritation, liver, kidney, heart, lung, or bone damage, and death.
In this way,Can you survive white phosphorus?
In fact, burns from white phosphorus on less than 10% of your body could lead to death because of damage to the kidneys, liver, and heart. In addition, white phosphorus can cause serious injury and death if you inhale or swallow it.
Subsequently,Is white phosphorus toxic to humans?
White phosphorus is used in the manufacture of munitions, pyrotechnics, explosives, smoke bombs, in artificial fertilizers, and rodenticides. White phosphorus is extremely toxic to humans, while other forms of phosphorus are much less toxic.
Simply so,How toxic is white phosphorus?
EFFECTS OF SHORT-TERM (LESS THAN 8-HOURS) EXPOSURE: White phosphorus burns in air and causes severe burns upon contact with skin or eyes. White phosphorus smoke will also cause eye and respiratory tract irritation. Other initial adverse health effects are primarily due to gastrointestinal irritation.
Keeping this in consideration,Does the US military use white phosphorus?
White phosphorus munitions can be used for several purposes on the battlefield: as an obscurant or smoke screen, for signaling and marking, and as an incendiary weapon. US forces are using white phosphorus in both Mosul, in Iraq, and in the ISIS stronghold of Raqqa, in Syria.
What neutralizes white phosphorus?
Copper sulfate has been found to be an effective in vitro neutralizer of white phosphorus and has been traditionally used to treat burns. Copper sulfate reacts with phosphorus to form cupric phosphate, which is black and assists in visualizing phosphorus.
Is red phosphorus illegal?
It is unlawful for any person knowingly or intentionally to possess or distribute red phosphorus, white phosphorus, or hypophosphorous acid, knowing, or having reasonable cause to believe, these substances will be used to illegally manufacture methamphetamine.
What is a white phosphorus grenade used for?
The M15 White Phosphorous grenade is a bursting type grenade used for signaling, screening, and incendiary purposes.
Why white phosphorus is stored under water?
White phosphorus is highly reactive, and spontaneously ignites at about 30°C in moist air. It is usually stored under water, to prevent exposure to the air. It is also extremely toxic, even in very small quantities.
How hot is a white phosphorus grenade?
5,000 degrees FahrenheitWhite phosphorus burns at a temperature of up to 2,760 degrees Celsius (5,000 degrees Fahrenheit).
Does water stop white phosphorus?
With a melting point of 44 °C, white phosphorus is insoluble in water [3] and above 30 °C, the particles spontaneously oxidize when in contact with the atmosphere forming phosphorus pentoxide [4] a strong desiccant and dehydrating agent.
What happens when white phosphorus burns in air?
When exposed to air, it spontaneously ignites and is oxidized rapidly to phosphorus pentoxide. Such heat is produced by this reaction that the element bursts into a yellow flame and produces a dense white smoke.
What happens when you heat white phosphorus?
White phosphorous dissolves in boiling NaOH solution (in a CO2 atmosphere) to give phosphine (PH3). The reaction is as follows: P4 + 3NaOH + 3H2O → phosphine + 3NaH2PO2.