Summary Review of Health Effects Associated with Elemental and Inorganic Phosphorus Compounds: Health Issue Assessment

摘要

Phosphorus is a nonmetallic essential element. Although phosphorus occurs naturally in the environment, most of the phosphorus in the environment results from its manufacture into one of the three allotropic forms (white, red, or black) or into phosphorus compounds and during the transport and use of these compounds. White phosphorus/felt and red phosphorus/butyl rubber are irritating to the skin and eyes. Phosphoric acid, phosphorus pentoxide, and the phosphorus chlorides are irritating, in some cases corrosive, to the skin, eyes, and mucous membranes. Inhalation of these compounds has produced respiratory tract irritation in mammals. The phosphorus chlorides have also produced effects on the kidney, liver, and nervous systems of experimental animals. Phosphine is highly toxic by the inhalation route of exposure and has reportedly produced gastrointestinal, cardiopulmonary, and central nervous system effects in humans. A definite conclusion regarding the possible reproductive/teratogenic, mutagenic, or carcinogenic potential of these compounds cannot be drawn because of the lack of adequate studies.