White PhosphorusWhite PhosphorusChristian GoldoffChristian GoldoffCal Poly San Luis ObispoCal Poly San Luis ObispoChemChem 349 349 –– Chemical and Biological Warfare Chemical and Biological WarfareWinter 2008Winter 2008OverviewOverviewGeneral BackgroundGeneral Background••What is White Phosphorus (WP)?What is White Phosphorus (WP)?••Non-Military UseNon-Military Useof WPof WP••Military Use of WPMilitary Use of WPUses of WP in WarUses of WP in War••Historical eventsHistorical events••Current eventCurrent eventControversy over Use of WPControversy over Use of WP••CWCCWC••Conventions on Certain Conventional WeaponsConventions on Certain Conventional WeaponsWhite PhosphorusWhite PhosphorusMade from elemental phosphorusMade from elemental phosphorus••Elemental phosphorus is prepared in electric furnaces in whichElemental phosphorus is prepared in electric furnaces in whichphosphate rock (phosphorite), coke, and silica pebble arephosphate rock (phosphorite), coke, and silica pebble arecontinually charged and heated. continually charged and heated. [4][4]••10 forms of phosphorus that occur in 3 major categories: 10 forms of phosphorus that occur in 3 major categories: [1][1]White White –– poisonous poisonousRed Red –– made by subjecting white phosphorus to sunlight; does not made by subjecting white phosphorus to sunlight; does notspontaneously burn in airspontaneously burn in airBlack Black –– flaky; made by subjecting white phosphorus to very high flaky; made by subjecting white phosphorus to very highpressurepressureIn larger quantities, ignites when exposed to oxygenIn larger quantities, ignites when exposed to oxygenNon-militant use of WPNon-militant use of WPUsed in almost every product today Used in almost every product today –– from fromtoothpaste to soft drinks toothpaste to soft drinks [4][4]White Phosphorus is used to produceWhite Phosphorus is used to producephosphoric acid and other chemicals phosphoric acid and other chemicals [4][4]••These chemicals are used further in production ofThese chemicals are used further in production offertilizers, food additives, and cleaningfertilizers, food additives, and cleaningcompounds.compounds.Calcium Phosphate, a.k.a. Bone-Ash, is used toCalcium Phosphate, a.k.a. Bone-Ash, is used tocreate fine Chinaware create fine Chinaware [4][4]Also important in the production of steels,Also important in the production of steels,phosphor bronze, baking powder, and manyphosphor bronze, baking powder, and manyother products other products [4][4]Military Use of WPMilitary Use of WPTwo main uses of WP by US military:Two main uses of WP by US military:••IncendiaryIncendiaryColorless to yellow, wax-like materialColorless to yellow, wax-like materialGarlic OdorGarlic OdorIgnites when exposed to OIgnites when exposed to O22••Bursts into a yellow flame and produces smoke screenBursts into a yellow flame and produces smoke screenLuminous in the darkLuminous in the darkIf it comes in contact with skin, can cause severe chemical burnsIf it comes in contact with skin, can cause severe chemical burns••Continues to burn until deprived of oxygenContinues to burn until deprived of oxygen••SmokeSmokeAs WP burns, a smoke screen is createdAs WP burns, a smoke screen is created••The smoke is composed of phosphorus pentoxide particles, which areThe smoke is composed of phosphorus pentoxide particles, which areconverted into phosphoric acidconverted into phosphoric acidDistributed through a variety of different munitionsDistributed through a variety of different munitionsNot usually hazardousNot usually hazardous••Can be toxic if concentration is large enough or if exposure time is longCan be toxic if concentration is large enough or if exposure time is longenoughenoughUse of WP in WarUse of WP in WarWP was used in the Vietnam war to flush NorthWP was used in the Vietnam war to flush NorthVietnamese soldiers out of their positionsVietnamese soldiers out of their positionsIn the December 1994, during the battle for In the December 1994, during the battle for GroznyGroznyin Chechnya, every fourth or fifth Russian artillery orin Chechnya, every fourth or fifth Russian artillery ormortar round fired was a smoke or whitemortar round fired was a smoke or whitephosphorus round. [4]phosphorus round. [4]Use of WP in FallujahUse of WP in FallujahIn reference to the events that occurred at Fallujah in 2004, the USIn reference to the events that occurred at Fallujah in 2004, the USclaimed that claimed that ““the US forces did not use napalm or whitethe US forces did not use napalm or whitephosphorus as weaponsphosphorus as weapons””••Claimed to only use WP as a means of illuminating the battlefield and as a meansClaimed to only use WP as a means of illuminating the battlefield and as a meansfor providing smoke for camouflage.for providing smoke for camouflage.In the US ArmyIn the US Army’’s Field Artillery Magazine, from March/April 2005,s Field Artillery Magazine, from March/April 2005,there was an article that reviewed the attack on Fallujah inthere was an article that reviewed the attack on Fallujah inNovember 2004.November 2004.••““WP proved to be an effective and versatile WP proved to be an effective and versatile munitionmunition. We used it for screening. We used it for screeningmissions at two breeches and, later in the fight, as a potent psychological weaponmissions at two breeches and, later in the fight, as a potent psychological weaponagainst the insurgents in trench lines and spider holes where we could not getagainst the insurgents in trench lines and spider holes where we could not geteffects on them with HE [High Explosive]. We fired effects on them with HE [High Explosive]. We fired ‘‘shake and bakeshake and bake’’ missions at missions atthe insurgents, using WP to flush them out and HE to take them outthe insurgents, using WP to flush them out and HE to take them out”” [3][3]In another passage of the same article, the authors noted that theyIn another passage of the same article, the authors noted that theycould have used other smoke munitions and "saved our WP forcould have used other smoke munitions and "saved our WP forlethal missionslethal missions““ [3][3]Use of WP in FallujahUse