Health Effects of Phosphorus

Phosphorus is a mineral that is found in every cell of the human body and is therefore considered vital. The mineral is the second most prevalent mineral in the body, after calcium, and accounts for around 1% of your entire body weight. In order for your body to function properly, phosphorus is one of the 16 necessary minerals it needs.

Although phosphorus’ primary function is the construction and maintenance of bones and teeth, it also plays an important part in the creation of DNA and RNA in the body (the genetic building blocks of the body). As cells and tissues age, doing so helps to guarantee that they are adequately preserved, mended, and replaced.

Besides being essential for metabolism (the conversion of food and oxygen into energy), phosphorus is also important for muscular contraction, heart rhythm, and the transmission of nerve messages. The mineral phosphorus is classified as a macromineral (together with other macro minerals such as calcium, sodium, magnesium, potassium, chloride, and sulphur) because you require a greater amount of it than you do of trace minerals such as iron and zinc.

Health effects of phosphorus

Phosphorus can be found in the environment in a variety of forms, the most prevalent of which are phosphates. phosphates are important substances in the human body because they are a component of DNA materials and play a role in the distribution of energy throughout the body. Phosphates are also present in large quantities in plants.

When it comes to phosphorus, it is a dietary necessity; the recommended daily intake is 800 mg; a regular diet offers between 1000 and 2000 mg/day, depending on the amount of phosphate-rich foods that are consumed.

Because of the application of phosphate-rich manures to the soil and the use of phosphate-containing detergents, humans have significantly altered the natural phosphate supply in the environment. Phosphates were also used in the production of a variety of consumables, including cheese, sausages, and hams.

Health concerns such as renal damage and osteoporosis can result from a high intake of phosphate. It is also possible to experience phosphate shortages. These are brought on by a heavy reliance on pharmaceuticals. A phosphate deficiency might result in serious health consequences.

Phosphorus is white in colour when it is in its purest form. When it comes to phosphorus, the most harmful kind that we are aware of is white phosphorus. When white phosphorus appears naturally in the environment, it can pose a major threat to our health. White phosphorus is exceedingly dangerous, and in many situations, it is lethal if it is inhaled or ingested.

The majority of those who died as a result of white phosphorus exposure did so after mistakenly consuming rat poison. People who have been exposed to white phosphorus frequently experience nausea, stomach cramps, and lethargy before they die.

White phosphorous has the potential to cause skin burns. When white phosphorus is burned, it can cause harm to the liver, the heart, and the kidneys, among other organs.

Environmental effects of phosphorus 

White phosphorus

White phosphorous enters the environment when it is used in the production of other chemicals, as well as when it is used by the military as munitions. White phosphorus is released into surface waterways near the factories that use it as a result of the discharge of wastewater.

White phosphorus is unlikely to spread since it reacts with oxygen in a relatively short period of time. When phosphorus enters the atmosphere through exhausts, it almost always reacts with oxygen very immediately, resulting in the formation of less hazardous particles. In contrast, when phosphorus particles are in the air, they may be coated with a protective layer that inhibits chemical reactions from occurring.

White phosphorus does not react with other particles as quickly as it does in air or water, and as a result, it accumulates in the bodies of aquatic species, causing them to perish. Phosphorus will linger in the soil for several days before it is broken down into less hazardous compounds and released. However, phosphorus can persist in deep soils and the bottoms of rivers and lakes for up to a thousand years or longer.

Phosphates

Phosphates have a wide range of effects on living beings. The implications are mostly the result of the release of significant quantities of phosphate into the environment as a result of mining and cultivation activities. When phosphates are not removed effectively during water purification, they have the potential to spread across long distances when found in surface waters.

The phosphorus cycle has been severely disrupted as a result of the constant input of phosphates by people and the exceeding of natural amounts of phosphates.

The increased quantities of phosphorus in surface waters promote the growth of phosphate-dependent organisms such as algae and duckweed. In addition to consuming large amounts of oxygen, these creatures hinder sunlight from reaching the water. Other organisms find the water to be uninhabitable as a result of this. Eutrophication is the term used to describe this occurrence.

Possible Side Effects

In general, phosphoric acid supplements are regarded as safe when taken as directed. In high doses (more than 1,000 mg per day), side effects such as headaches and dizziness, shortness of breath, oedema in the lower legs or feet, and unusual weariness or weakness may occur.   If you have any of these side effects, contact your healthcare provider right once.

Allergic reactions to phosphate are uncommon, but it’s important to contact your healthcare provider or seek emergency treatment if you notice any of the following symptoms after taking a phosphate supplement: rash, itching, shortness of breath, rapid heartbeat, swelling of the face, throat, or tongue. It is possible that these are symptoms of anaphylaxis, which is a potentially life-threatening, whole-body reaction.

Conclusion

Bones and teeth contain around 85 percent of the phosphorus in the body. Phosphorous is also found in trace levels in cells and tissues throughout the body but in lesser amounts. Phosphorus aids in the removal of waste from the body through the kidneys and is necessary in the storage and utilisation of energy by the body. It also aids in the reduction of muscle discomfort following an exercise. Phosphorus is primarily involved in the production of bones and teeth, among other things. It has a significant impact on the way the body utilises carbohydrates and fats, among other things. It is also required for the production of protein by the body, which is required for the growth, maintenance, and repair of cells and tissues.