The ingestion of particles of white phosphorus
over the past four decades for artillery training by
(P4) causes mortality of waterfowl at Eagle River
the U.S. Army. The evidence presented here
Flats, Alaska. P4 poisoning results in behaviors
strongly supports the hypothesis that feeding
that attract predators. Residual P4 presents risk to
waterfowl are ingesting small particles of the
predators and scavengers. To date, the toxic prop-
highly toxic incendiary munition, white phos-
erties of P4 have been characterized when P4 is
phorus (P4), stored in the bottom anoxic sedi-
dissolved in various digestible oils. Herein, we
ments of shallow salt marsh ponds. Farm-reared
compare the properties of dissolved P4 to particu-
mallards dosed with P4 showed nearly identical
late P4. Farm-reared mallards (Anas platyrhyn-
behavioral symptoms to those of wild ducks that
chos) were gavaged with P4 (12 mg/kg body
became sick in Eagle River Flats. White phospho-
weight) dissolved in oil or as either large particles
rus does not occur in nature but was found in
(1.87-mm mean diameter) or small particles (0.95-
both the sediments where dabbling ducks and
mm diameter). Signs of intoxication and times to
swans feed and in the gizzards of all 20 waterfowl
convulsion were monitored. Individuals were
carcasses collected in Eagle River Flats.
autopsied at the onset of convulsions. P4 in diges-
tive tracts and body fat was analyzed by gas
Rattner, B.A., and J.D. Walker (1994) Designation
chromatography. For all three treatments, the
of white phosphorus for toxicity testing by the
behaviors of ducks with P4 intoxication were sim-
TSCA Interagency Testing Committee. In Proceed-
ilar to observations of wild ducks. There was no
ings, SETAC 15th Annual Meeting, 30 October
difference between treatments for onset of lethar-
3 November, Denver, Colorado, p. 4.
gy, vomiting, poor motor or muscle control, or the
Approximately 700 million pounds of white
first convulsive event. At autopsy, P4 was found
phosphorus (P4) are produced annually for vari-
throughout the digestive tracts with residual
ous uses, including smoke-producing munitions.
quantities of approximately 20% or less of the
Thousands of ducks and other wildlife have been
dose. Very little of the dissolved P4 remained in
poisoned by ingestion of particulate P4 at a wet-
gizzards, whereas in the small and large particle
land artillery impact area in Eagle River Flats,
groups, the gizzard contents contained 78% and
Alaska. Although P4 has been detected at several
64%, respectively, of the total P4, within the diges-
military installations, the extent of contamination
tive tracts. Tissue concentrations of P4 were small
in the U.S. remains largely unknown. The Toxic
and did not appear to be a significant source of P4
Substances Control Act Interagency Testing Com-
to predators. In conclusion, intoxication from
particles of P4 is largely not a function of the size
study results submitted under TSCA sections 8(d)
of the particles, but rather the dose. Residual P4 in
and 8(e), and ongoing research activities, relating
the digestive tracts represents a risk to secondary
to P4 exposure, chemical fate, and ecological and
receptors. These relative risks of particulate P4 to
health effects. In view of potential widespread P4
tissue P4 are somewhat similar to poisoning from
pollution of wetlands, and the need for hazard
lead shot.
data for amphibians, reptiles, and furbearers fre-
quenting these habitats, the ITC designated P4 for
Sparling, D.W. (1995) Secondary toxicity in rap-
acute toxicity testing in its 34th report. The pauc-
tors caused by white phosphorus. In Proceedings,
ity of data on P4 bioconcentration and food chain
SETAC 16th Annual Meeting and Second SETAC
transport by plants, and the herbivorous nature
World Congress, 69 November, Vancouver, B.C, p.
of many species, will also necessitate aquatic
140.
plant toxicity and terrestrial plant uptake and
White phosphorus (WP) has caused waterfowl
translocation test data. Chronic exposure and
die-offs in a tidal salt marsh used by the U.S.
reproductive studies may be designated pending
Army for artillery practice for more than 40 years.
review of data. Through the efforts of the ITC, the
Bald (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) and golden (Aquila
U.S. EPA and Department of the Interior will
chrysaetos) eagles have been observed feeding on
obtain data to assist in its risk assessment of P4 to
dead and dying waterfowl on the marsh and may
wildlife and their supporting habitat.
be exposed to WP through ingestion of contami-
nated birds. One carcass of each eagle species has
Roebuck, B.D., and S.I. Nam (1995) Toxicological
been found with measurable levels of WP in fat.
properties of white phosphorus (P4): Effects of
To determine if raptors can become intoxicated
particle size. In Proceedings, SETAC 16th Annual
by ingesting prey that have been exposed to WP,
Meeting and Second SETAC World Congress, 69
we fed live, 10-day-old white leghorn chicks
November, Vancouver, B.C, p. 136.
30
to contents
Previous Page
