Phosphorus, health effects

Existing Information on Health Effects of White Phosphorus 2-5 Existing Information on Health Effects of White Phosphorus Smoke 5-1 Frequency of NPL Sites with White Phosphorus Contamination... 

This statement was prepared to give you information about white phosphorus and white phosphorus smoke and to emphasize the human health effects that may result from exposure to it. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) identifies the most serious hazardous waste sites as in the nation. These sites make up the National Priorities List (NPL) and are the sites targeted for long-term federal clean-up activities. White phosphorus has been found in at least 77 of 1,430 current or former NPL sites. However, the total number of NPL sites evaluated is not known. As more sites are evaluated, the number of sites at which white phosphorus is found may increase. This is important because exposure to white phosphorus may harm you and because these sites are sources of human exposure to white phosphorus. 

If you are exposed to a substance such as white phosphorus, many factors will determine whether harmful health effects will occur and what the type and severity of those health effects will be. These factors include the dose (how much), the duration (how long), the route or pathway by which you are exposed (breathing, eating, drinking, or skin contact), the other chemicals to which you are exposed, and your individual characteristics such as age, sex, nutritional status, family traits, lifestyle, and state of health. 

White phosphorus is used mainly for producing phosphoric acid and other chemicals. These chemicals are used to make fertilizers, additives in foods and drinks, cleaning compounds, and other products. Small amounts of white phosphorus have been used as rat and roach poisons and in fireworks. In the past, white phosphorus was used to make matches, but another chemical with fewer harmful health effects has since replaced it. 

There are no medical tests to tell if you have been exposed to white phosphorus or its smoke. However, the health effects that can follow exposure may lead your physician to suspect exposure. For more information, please read Chapters 2 and 6. 

No studies were located regarding health effects in human or animals after oral exposure to white phosphorus smoke. 

One study was located regarding health effects in animals after dermal exposure to white phosphorus the study tested dermal and ocular irritation of white phosphorus in rabbits (Lee et al. 1975). 

No studies were located regarding the following health effects in humans or animals after dermal exposure (nonbum) to white phosphorus ... 

White Phosphorus Smoke. No studies were located regarding absorption in humans or animals after inhalation exposure to white phosphorus smoke. White phosphorus smoke probably contains some residual unburnt white phosphorus (see Chapter 3 for composition information). Human serum concentrations of phosphate (relevance to absorption of white phosphorus smoke is unknown) following occupational inhalation exposure to white phosphorus are discussed in Section 2.3.3 (Metabolism). Health effects observed after inhalation of white phosphorus smoke are most likely portal of entry effects, and, therefore, do not indicate that absorption of white phosphorus occurred. However, the oxides and acids of white phosphorus that occur in the smoke are probably absorbed to an unknown degree. 

Additional information regarding biomarkers for effects can be found in OTA (1990) and CDC/ATSDR (1990). A more detailed discussion of the health effects caused by white phosphorus and white phosphorus smoke can be found in Section 2.2 of Chapter 2. 

Section 104(I)(5) of CERCLA, as amended, directs the Administrator of ATSDR (in consultation with the Administrator of EPA and agencies and programs of the Public Health Service) to assess whether adequate information on the health effects of white phosphorus and white phosphorus smoke are available. Where adequate information is not available, ATSDR, in conjunction with the National Toxicology Program (NTP), is required to assure the initiation of a program of research designed to determine the health effects (and techniques for developing methods to determine such health effects) of white phosphorus. 

Existing Information on Health Effects of White Phosphorus... 

The existing data on health effects of inhalation, oral, and dermal exposure of humans and animals to white phosphorus are summarized in Figures 2-4 and 2-5. The purpose of this figure is to illustrate the existing information concerning the health effects of white... 

Reliable monitoring data for the levels of white phosphorus in contaminated media at hazardous waste sites are needed so that the information obtained on levels of white phosphorus in the environment can be used in combination with the known body burden of white phosphorus to assess the potential risk of adverse health effects in populations living in the vicinity of hazardous waste sites. 

EPA. 1989. Summary review of health effects associated with elemental and inorganic phosphorus compounds Health issue assessment. EPA 500/8-89/072. Washington,DC Office of Health and Environmental Assessment, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. 

Health effects causes nausea and vomiting, a garlic taste, headache, feeble pulse, diarrhea, vomiting, and collapse (phosphorus is luminous in the dark)... 

Nerve agents are organic esters of phosphorus-based acid derivatives that are potent inhibitors of AChE. A large toxicological and medical literature has been produced since their development, and it has been helpfrd to classify exposure-associated health effects in terms of four general clinical classifications that have been described elsewhere in the literature (Brown and Brix, 1998), and are summarized as 1 through 4 below. To these, I have added a fifth, for which I have finally presented a brief rationale below, and will deal with in more detail subsequently. These are ... 

From time immemorial, humans have used fish as food. Fish are a source of highly nutritive protein vitamins A, D, and particularly B calcium, phosphorus, rare microelements (iodine, selenium, fluorine) and lipids (fats and oils) that have particularly beneficial health effects. Medical doctors, nutritionists, and scientists have acknowledged these qualities, particularly during the past two decades. However, the correct conclusions could have been drawn much earlier in view of the fact that, 2000 years ago, it was the fish and bread that were multiplied by Jesus who gave them to the listening crowd. 

Little information is available about the health effects that may be caused by white phosphorus. Most of what is known about the effects of breathing white phosphorus is from studies of workers. Most of what is known about the effects of eating white phosphorus is from reports of people eating rat poison or fireworks that contained it. 

There is no medical test that shows if you have been exposed to white phosphorus. However, the above health effects may lead your doctor to suspect that you have been exposed if you have a history of exposure. 

Krahl J, Munack A, Ruschel Y, Schroder O, Schwarz S, Hofmann L, Biinger J (2006) Influence of the Phosphorus Content in Rapeseed Oil Methyl Esters During a 1000 Hours Endurance Test on the Function of a SCR-system Measured by Exhaust Gas Emissions and Health Effects. SAE Technical Paper 2006-01-3282... 

Weathering can release essential plant nutrients into the soil solution, which is taken up by plant roots carrying nutrients with it. One of the most important of these is ion, which goes into solution from the weathering of minerals such as potassium feldspar, KAlSijOj. Nutrient phosphorus is released in the weathering of hydroxyapatite, Ca50H(P04)3. Selenium is leached from minerals that contain this element, too much of which can be toxic and a deficiency of which can cause adverse health effects, especially in livestock, as well (see Chapter 10, Section 10.5). 

Kimbrough RM, Gaines TB. 1968. Effect of organic phosphorus compounds and alkylating agents on the rat fetus. Arch Environ Health 16 805-808. 

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