Sign In
Learn bits
World Affairs
Mahesh

16/03/22 07:13 AM IST

White phosphorus Bombs

In News 

  • Ukrainian police has accused Russian forces of launching phosphorus bomb attacks (chemical weapon) in the Lugansk and Donetsk regions of eastern Ukraine, collectively known as the Donbas.
White Phosphorus 
  • White phosphorus munitions are weapons that use one of the common allotropes of the chemical element phosphorus.
  • White phosphorus is pyrophoric (it is ignited by contact with air), burns fiercely, and can ignite cloth, fuel, ammunition, and other combustibles.
  • Apart from this, it is also used in smoke, illumination, and burning elements of tracer ammunition.
  • In addition to its offensive capabilities, white phosphorus is a highly efficient smoke-producing agent, reacting with air to produce an immediate blanket of phosphorus pentoxide vapour.

Chemical Weapons 

  • A Chemical Weapon is a chemical used to cause intentional death or harm through its toxic properties.
  • Munitions, devices and other equipment specifically designed to weaponize toxic chemicals also fall under the definition of chemical weapons.
Concerns 
  • When WP comes in contact with the human skin, it can cause both thermal and chemical burns.
  • It can produce several chemicals when it comes in contact with the skin, such as phosphorus pentoxide that reacts with water in the skin and produces phosphoric acid that is highly corrosive. 
Source- Indian Express 

More Related Current Affairs View All

20 Feb

The Maharashtra Protection of Interest of Depositors (in Financial Establishments) Act, 1999

'Investors who were defrauded in the Torres Ponzi scam may receive about Rs 40 crore over the next six months.' The Mumbai Police’s Economic Offences Wing (EOW) has begun

Read More

18 Feb

Aravali safari park project

'The Haryana government’s ambitious 3,858 hectare Aravali safari park project spread across Gurugram and Nuh — which was one of the poll promises of the ruling Bharatiy

Read More

17 Feb

President’s rule function

'Recently,  four days after Manipur Chief Minister N. Biren Singh’s resignation, the Union government announced that President’s rule has been implemented in the v

Read More

India’s First Ai-Driven Magazine Generator

Generate Your Custom Current Affairs Magazine using our AI in just 3 steps