PHOSPHORUS WHITE & YELLOW

Phosphorus is used in fertilizer industry, metallurgical applications, matches etc. White phosphorus is also used in incendiary bombs.

Image courtsey : http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/systems/munitions/wp.htm
Image courtesy : http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/systems/munitions/wp.htm
Alabama hit by a white phosphorus bomb in bomb...
Alabama hit by a white phosphorus bomb in bombing tests by General Billy Mitchell, September 1921. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

White phosphorus is very unstable will quickly react with air and start burning. Due to exposure to light and heat white phosphorus slowly turns to red phosphorus and will have a yellowish appearance.

Injuries from white phosphorus. Khalili, Musta...
Injuries from white phosphorus. Khalili, Mustafa et al. (January 19, 2009). "White phosphorus in Gaza: the victims". The Guardian (London) . . (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Entries in IMDG code for Phosphorus

  • UN 1381 PHOSPHORUS, WHITE, DRY
  • UN 1381 PHOSPHORUS, WHITE, IN SOLUTION
  • UN 1381 PHOSPHORUS, WHITE, UNDER WATER
  • UN 1381 PHOSPHORUS, YELLOW, DRY
  • UN 1381 PHOSPHORUS, YELLOW, IN SOLUTION
  • UN 1381 PHOSPHORUS, YELLOW, UNDER WATER
  • UN 2447 PHOSPHORUS, WHITE, MOLTEN

Published by

Shashi Kallada

33 years in Merchant Shipping, Last 18 years working on IMDG Code. Ex Sailor, Ex Manager Global Dangerous Goods Maersk Line.

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