Total Phosphorus: Health effects
Description
There are no specific health effects directly associated with total phosphorus as such. Phosphorus is, in fact, an essential nutrient for all forms of life - it is an integral constituent of nucleic acids (the building blocks of genetic material), many other essential biochemicals (for example, coenzymes and adenosine triphosphate), and bones.
It must be noted, nevertheless, that many industrial organophosphates are nerve toxins (for example, some pesticides) and exposure to these can lead to sub-lethal and lethal effects. Some of these compounds may be carcinogens or teratogens.
A more general concern of total phosphorus is its environmental effects, where elevated levels of phosphorus (and other nutrients such as nitrogen, organic carbon, and silica) often cause blue-green algal blooms, which can affect human health through contact or consumption (of the water or food, especially fish, taken from the water).
Entering the body
The main pathway of phosphate into the human body is through eating. Mishandling of toxicants, such as organophosphate pesticides, leads to exposure by either direct absorption through the skin or by breathing in the vapours.
Exposure
The major 'normal' exposure is through eating food or by drinking water containing phosphates. Mishandling of toxicants, such as organophosphate pesticides, will lead to exposure to only small amounts of phosphorus, but potentially lethal amounts of the pesticide.
Health guidelines
The main pathway of phosphate into the human body is through eating. Mishandling of toxicants, such as organophosphate pesticides, leads to exposure by either direct absorption through the skin or by breathing in the vapours.
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