Much has been made recently here at the Kos about White Phosphorus and its status as a chemical weapon. I have not seen anything illuminating the properties of the substance itself, and what makes it is so dangerous. I would like to share with the community a few facts and reactions to help everyone understand what White Phosphorus is, why it is dangerous and why it is used as a munition.
More on the flip....
White Phosphorus is an elemental form of the 15th element Phosphorus. White Phosphorus is not found in nature, as it is highly reactive with oxygen found in the atmosphere. Phosphate Oxides (notably the mineral apatite), the byproduct of this reaction, are found in abundance, and are commercially processed to yield White Phosphorus. After phosphorus is produced, it is isolated from oxygen by storing it under water.
White Phosphorus in this form is HIGHLY toxic. In a 75kg human, a 50mg dose is fatal about 50% of the time. Because it is so reactive in this form, very few people encounter danger from this elemental form.
This form is the "Willy Pete" munition form. Upon dispersion with high explosives, the White Phosphorus rapidly reacts with oxygen in the following reaction:
P(elemental) -> P2O5 + other phosphate oxides
The military use of this derives from the rapid liberation of these oxides. It forms a cloud of "smoke", which are actually these phosphate oxides dispersed throughout the air.
These oxides are poisonous to humans all by themselves. However, these oxides are not what cause the horrible disfiguration of humans. After these oxides land on human skin, the following reaction occurs:
P2O5 + H20 -> H3PO4
The water in human skin converts the phosphate oxide to the highly corrosive Phosphoric Acid. This acid begins to burn human skin, lungs and eyes IMMEDIATELY upon contact. Severe exposure to Phosphoric acid by inhalation causes chemical pneumonitis (chemical induced pneumonia), much like Phosgene gas used in World War I. Skin contact results in the now familiar burns and leathery skin.
Chemical Weapon? Who knows, the military has "legitimate uses" for White Phosphorus.
Horrific weapon of war? Undoubtedly.