phosphorus poisoning

Phosphorus (P) is a metalloid with four allotropes: yellow phosphorus (white phosphorus) is highly toxic; red phosphorus has lower toxicity; violet phosphorus and black phosphorus are very rare, have very low toxicity, and are not easily ignited. Yellow phosphorus vapor can oxidize in humid air to form hypophosphorous acid and phosphoric acid. Yellow phosphorus readily reacts with metals, halogens, and hydrogen to form phosphides. The oral lethal dose of yellow phosphorus is approximately 60-100 mg, and an absorbed amount of 1.0 mg/kg can be lethal. The lethal dose of zinc phosphide is 2-3 g. Phosphine exposure at approximately 10 mg/m³ for 6 hours causes symptoms of phosphorus poisoning, and at 400-846 mg/m³ for 0.5-1 hour can be fatal. Common causes of poisoning include direct skin contact, inhalation, and accidental ingestion or misuse. Absorption through the skin progresses slowly; ingestion and inhalation progress rapidly. Occupational acute poisoning is mostly seen in production accidents, where molten phosphorus burns the skin and is absorbed into the body causing poisoning. In daily life, poisoning can occur from accidental ingestion of yellow phosphorus.