Chronic white phosphorus poisoning can occur through burning, inhalation, or ingestion of white phosphorus. Inhalation over long periods can lead to osteonecrosis of the jaw, known as "Phossy Jaw", characterized by toothache, gum swelling, and bone necrosis of the lower jaw. Burning from white phosphorus causes severe second and third degree burns that continue burning until deprived of oxygen. Ingestion is also highly toxic and can cause liver, heart, or kidney damage due to accumulation of free radicals in the body. White phosphorus is highly flammable and produces a dense white smoke when burned.

1. CHRONIC WHITE PHOSPHORUS POISONING
NUR FADZLINA ZABRI
SERIAL NO 4
Israeli white phosphorus attack on a school run by the United Nations agency for Palestine refugees (UNRWA) in Beit
Lahiya in the northern Gaza Strip

2. Yellow or white phosphorus
– Yellowish , waxy crystalline solid with garlicky
odour
– Luminescent and glow in the dark
– Kept and stored under water
PHOSPHORUS
P4 + 5 O2  2 P2O5

3. Uses
Matches Fireworks
Military use Insecticide

4. Effects on people
• White phosphorus can cause injuries and
death in three ways:
– by burning deep into tissue
– by being inhaled as a smoke
– by being ingested

5. Fume inhalation
• Long term inhalation
leads to osteonecrosis of
jaw (Phossy Jaw)
• Began with toothache and
swelling of gums and jaw

6. Clot formation
Leading to bone ischaemia or
infarction
Putrid rotting of the bone of the
lower jaw and abscess formation
Fistula draining foul-smelling pus

7. History behind the Phossy jaw
• Painful, debilitating and ultimately lethal
condition
• Afflicted factory workers involved with the
manufacture of matches that contained white
phosphorus
• Berne Convention (1906) was enacted to
forbid the manufacture, sale or purchase of
matches containing white phosphorus.

8. Burning
• Highly flammable
• Produce heat with yellow flame, dense white
smoke
• Continue to burn unless deprived of oxygen
P4 + 5 O2  2 P2O5

9. Second or third
degree burn

10. • Lethal dose :1 mg per kg of body weight,
• Liver, heart or kidney damage
• Its extreme toxicity is due to the generation of
free radicals, where they accumulate and are
not easily metabolized.
• Phosphorus-laden stool ("smoking stool
syndrome").
Oral ingestion

11. • Irritates the eyes, mucous membranes of the
nose, and respiratory tract
• Severe burns.
Smoke ingestion

12. Conclusion

13. References
• Textbook of Forensic Medicine snd Toxicology ,
15th Edition by V V Pillay
• Internet