Toxicological Profile for White Phosphorus

The ATSDR toxicological profile succinctly characterizes the toxicology and adverse health effects information for the toxic substance described therein. Each peer-reviewed profile identifies and reviews the key literature that describes a substance's toxicological properties. Profiles are updated on a periodic basis and released for a public comment period. For more information visit ATSDR.

Contents

• DISCLAIMER
• UPDATE STATEMENT
• FOREWORD
• CONTRIBUTORS
• PEER REVIEW
• 1. PUBLIC HEALTH STATEMENT
  • 1.1. WHAT ARE WHITE PHOSPHORUS AND WHITE PHOSPHORUS SMOKE?
  • 1.2. WHAT HAPPENS TO WHITE PHOSPHORUS AND WHITE PHOSPHORUS SMOKE WHEN IT ENTERS THE ENVIRONMENT?
  • 1.3. HOW MIGHT I BE EXPOSED TO WHITE PHOSPHORUS AND WHITE PHOSPHORUS SMOKE?
  • 1.4. HOW CAN WHITE PHOSPHORUS AND WHITE PHOSPHORUS SMOKE ENTER AND LEAVE MY BODY?
  • 1.5. HOW CAN WHITE PHOSPHORUS AND WHITE PHOSPHORUS SMOKE AFFECT MY HEALTH?
  • 1.6. IS THERE A MEDICAL TEST TO DETERMINE WHETHER I HAVE BEEN EXPOSED TO WHITE PHOSPHORUS AND WHITE PHOSPHORUS SMOKE?
  • 1.7. WHAT RECOMMENDATIONS HAS THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT MADE TO PROTECT HUMAN HEALTH?
  • 1.8. WHERE CAN I GET MORE INFORMATION?
• 2. HEALTH EFFECTS
  • 2.1. INTRODUCTION
  • 2.2. DISCUSSION OF HEALTH EFFECTS BY ROUTE OF EXPOSURE
  • 2.3. TOXICOKINETICS
  • 2.4. MECHANISMS OF ACTION
  • 2.5. RELEVANCE TO PUBLIC HEALTH
  • 2.6. BIOMARKERS OF EXPOSURE AND EFFECT
  • 2.7. INTERACTIONS WITH OTHER SUBSTANCES
  • 2.8. POPULATIONS THAT ARE UNUSUALLY SUSCEPTIBLE
  • 2.9. METHODS FOR REDUCING TOXIC EFFECTS
  • 2.10. ADEQUACY OF THE DATABASE
• 3. CHEMICAL AND PHYSICAL INFORMATION
  • 3.1. CHEMICAL IDENTITY
  • 3.2. PHYSICAL AND CHEMICAL PROPERTIES
• 4. PRODUCTION, IMPORT, USE, AND DISPOSAL
  • 4.1. PRODUCTION
  • 4.2. IMPORT/EXPORT
  • 4.3. USE
  • 4.4. DISPOSAL
• 5. POTENTIAL FOR HUMAN EXPOSURE
  • 5.1. OVERVIEW
  • 5.2. RELEASES TO THE ENVIRONMENT
  • 5.3. ENVIRONMENTAL FATE
  • 5.4. LEVELS MONITORED OR ESTIMATED IN THE ENVIRONMENT
  • 5.5. GENERAL POPULATION AND OCCUPATIONAL EXPOSURE
  • 5.6. POPULATIONS WITH POTENTIALLY HIGH EXPOSURES
  • 5.7. ADEQUACY OF THE DATABASE
• 6. ANALYTICAL METHODS
  • 6.1. BIOLOGICAL MATERIALS
  • 6.2. ENVIRONMENTAL SAMPLES
  • 6.3. ADEQUACY OF THE DATABASE
• 7. REGULATIONS AND ADVISORIES
• 8. REFERENCES
• 9. GLOSSARY
• APPENDICES
  • APPENDIX A. ATSDR MINIMAL RISK LEVEL
  • APPENDIX B. USER’S GUIDE
  • APPENDIX C. ACRONYMS, ABBREVIATIONS, AND SYMBOLS