Russia has been accused of launching illegal phosphorus bomb attacks on civilians in eastern Ukraine.
Context
Russia has been accused of launching illegal phosphorus bomb attacks on civilians in eastern Ukraine.
What is White Phosphorus?
- White phosphorous is a colourless, white or yellow, waxy solid. It does not occur naturally. It is manufactured using phosphate rocks.
- It smells like garlic.
- White phosphorous is a highly combustible substance that reacts with oxygen in the air.
- It can catch fire at temperatures as low as 10 to 15 degrees above room temperature.
- Due to its combustible nature, every country has strict regulations regarding its manufacturing and handling.
- It is used mainly in the military, and other applications may include as a component in fertilisers, food additives and cleaning compounds.
- Initially, it was also used in pesticides and fireworks, but many countries have banned its use in several sectors.
Is it a chemical weapon?
- The Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons, which is an intergovernmental organisation and the implementing body for the Chemical Weapons Convention, has not listed WP in any of the three Schedules of Chemical Weapons.
- However, United Nations considers it as an incendiary chemical.
- White phosphorus was used extensively in both the First and Second World Wars.
- Bombs made of white phosphorus were also used extensively in the Korea War, the Vietnam War and the Chechen War.
- The white phosphorus bomb was used extensively by the US Army in the Iraq War.
- Israel was also accused of using white phosphorus during the Arab-Israeli conflict.
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