NEARBY INDUSTRIAL, TRANSPORTATION, AND MILITARY FACILITIES

White phosphorus enters the environment when industries make it or use it to make other chemicals and when the military uses it as ammunition. It also enters the environment from spills during storage and transport. Because of the discharge of waste water, white phosphorus is likely to be found in the water and bottom deposits of rivers and lakes near facilities that make or use it. It may also be found at sites where the military uses phosphorus-containing ammunition during training exercises. Rainwater washout of these sites may contaminate nearby waterways and their bottom deposits. Hazardous waste sites that contain white phosphorus are also potential sources of exposure to people. However, because white phosphorus reacts very quickly with oxygen in the air, it may not be found far away from sources of contamination. 

External events include not only naturally-occurring phenomena, but also unintentional human-caused events. Human-caused external events that could conceivably damage a nuclear reactor facility and initiate core damage include aircraft impact, dam failure, accidents at nearby military or industrial facilities, and pipeline and transportation accidents. Also, failures within the reactor site, not directly related to reactor operations could possibly initiate core damage. Examples of such events include spillage of hazardous, toxic, flammable or radioactive materials. 

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