For one, "phosphorus keeps the blood pH within a normal range," says Bonci. This is a measure of how acidic or alkaline something is, and maintaining a normal blood pH is important for overall health.

White phosphorus is also used to create smokescreens during the day, as it puts off a huge amount of smoke when it burns. White phosphorous smoke screens are fired by the U.S. Army as part of an ...

The Israeli military was accused of using white phosphorus smokescreen munitions during its 2008-2009 offensive in Gaza, although the IDF said in 2013 that it was phasing out use of the weapons.

White phosphorus is a chemical substance, dispersed in artillery shells, bombs, and rockets, that ignites when exposed to oxygen. The chemical reaction creates intense 815-degree Celsius heat.

The Pentagon recommended providing the white phosphorus shells to Ukraine as part of several aid packages, including a recent one, as a Presidential Drawdown Authority, according to the officials.