Yellow phosphorus exposure

White Phosphorus. White phosphorus does not naturally occur in the environment. It has been manufactured in the past for use in such products as matches, fireworks, pest poisons, and incendiary munitions. It is primarily in the manufacture and use of these products where human exposure has occurred. White phosphorus is also commonly called yellow phosphorus. 

Zhu C, Zhou J, He Y. 1994. Alteration of serum corticosteroid binding-globulin level during exposure to yellow phosphorus. Zhonghua Laodong Weisheng Zhiyebing Zazhi 12(3) 14-17. 

Phosphorus is listed as a hazardous pollutant under the Clean Air Act and the Clean Water Act. Federal Drinking Water Guidelines Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) 0.1[rgl (white phosphorus) Occupational Safety and Health Administration permissible exposure limit Table Z - 1 8 h time-weighted average (TWA) 0.1mgm threshold limit values 8h TWA 0.1mgm (yellow phosphorus). 

EfQuents may be affecting the environment by the amounts of suspended solids such as effluents from phosphate fertilizer or titanium dioxide production or may contain one or, more usually, many chemicals with varying environmental impact. For example, 30 years ago, effluent from phosphorus production contained yellow phosphorus and caused spectacular kills of schools of herring that swam through the contaminated area, turned red by hemorrhaging, and died miles away from the exposure area [179]. Such surprises are much less Hkely now, but unanticipated chemicals or effects are Hkely to be encountered. 

Pure phosphorus is a completely transparent colorless solid of m.p. 44. PC, but the commercial product is waxy white and after short exposure to light, yellowish hence both the names white and yellow phosphorus for the same material. 

The spontaneously inflammable nature of the higher phosphines decreases with increasing phosphorus content. At room temperature or on exposure to light, phosphorus-rich, yellow, solid phosphines are rapidly formed these can also be obtained directly by thermal decomposition of diphosphine. The literature on these types of higher phosphorus hydrides which are, in general, solid and are thus refered to as solid phosphorus hydrides is abundant and... 

Phosphorus is available in two forms, white (or yellow) and red. White phosphorus appears to be molecular, with a formula of P,. It is a waxy solid with a melting point of 44°C, and ignites spontaneously on exposure to air. It must be kept cool and is usually stored under water. It is highly toxic in both the solid and vapor form and causes burns on contact with the skin. Its use in pyrotechnics is limited to incendiary and white smoke compositions. The white smoke consists of the combustion product, primarily phosphoric acid (H 3PO,). 

White Phosphorus.—This modification is gradually produced whenever phosphorus under water is exposed to sunshine or ordinary daylight. The opaque crust is yellow. at first, but afterwards turns white. Its specific gravity is T515. It smells like ordinary phosphorus, is luminous in the dark on exposure to the air, but turns red in daylight much more quickly than colorless... 

The material obtained in the bomb is a bright orange, sintered mass which may be readily pulverized in a mortar to a yellow, hygroscopic powder. Upon exposure to moisture, it evolves oxygen and gradually loses its color, leaving a white residue, which is a mixture of peroxide and hydroxide. Sodium superoxide appears to be stable indefinitely when stored in a desiccator over phosphorus (V) oxide. 

Decomposition.—Phosphorus trioxide turns yellow and then red on exposure to sunlight, and slightly yellow in ordinary diffused light. After months of exposure red phosphorus is formed.1 The change may be represented by the equation... 

A compound having the empirical formula PS2 was said to be formed by heating together the elements in the proportions theoretically required,4 or by distillation 5 or heating with carbon disulphide in a sealed tube at 210° C.6 Other methods include the exposure to sunlight of P4S3 (1 part) with sulphur (2 parts) dissolved in carbon disulphide,7 or a solution of phosphorus and sulphur with a little iodine in carbon disulphide.8 Pale yellow transparent needles of the compound are deposited. 

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