AUTHOR=Wang Mingchan , Bai Yaxing , Zhang Xiaorui , Zhang Jing , Kang Along 

TITLE=White phosphorus munitions: pathophysiology, clinical management, and multidisciplinary perspectives on burn injuries and humanitarian challenges

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Public Health

VOLUME=Volume 13 - 2025

YEAR=2025

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/public-health/articles/10.3389/fpubh.2025.1632840

DOI=10.3389/fpubh.2025.1632840

ISSN=2296-2565

ABSTRACT=White phosphorus (WP), a highly reactive and toxic substance, has been widely used in military applications. White phosphorus munitions (WPMs) embody a complex intersection of military utility and humanitarian concern, inflicting devastating injuries through their dual destructive mechanisms. These weapons induce severe thermal and chemical damage, penetrating deep into tissues to cause progressive necrosis and life-threatening systemic toxicity even with minimal exposure. This review synthesizes current understanding of WP injury pathophysiology—including hypocalcemia-induced arrhythmias, acute respiratory distress syndrome, and hepatorenal failure—while examining evidence-based interventions spanning battlefield first aid to advanced regenerative therapies. By integrating perspectives from military medicine, toxicology, and global health equity, this review provides a comprehensive foundation for clinicians, and researchers confronting the multidimensional challenges posed by WP injuries in conflict and post-conflict settings.