It has been stated that ingestion of as little as 15 mg of elemental yellow phosphorus may cause symptoms, and 60 mg can be fatal. Too much phosphorus in your blood can cause problems. Phosphorus works with calcium and vitamin D in your body to keep your bones healthy and strong.To do this, your body’s phosphorus, calcium and vitamin D all need to be in balance. Acute phosphorus intoxication has been a familiar syndrome for many years. One of these problems is bone disease. An excess of the mineral can cause diarrhea, as well as a hardening of organs and soft tissue. Phosphorus reacts violently with oxidants, halogens, some metals, nitrites, sulfur, and many other compounds, causing a fire and explosion hazard. Normal working kidneys can remove extra phosphorus in your blood. Phosphorus reacts with strong bases to produce toxic phosphine gas. How are high phosphorus and bone disease related? High Phosphorus Levels. Phossy jaw, formally known as phosphorus necrosis of the jaw, was an occupational disease affecting those who worked with white phosphorus (also known as yellow phosphorus) without proper safeguards. Phosphorus is a mineral found in your bones. It was caused by white phosphorus vapour, which destroys the bones of the jaw. Nearly every food contains some phosphorus, so this can be hard to do. EXPLOSION HAZARDS: What is phosphorus? Phosphorus toxicity is rare in a healthy person, but could develop if too much is consumed or an individual has kidney problems that interfere with removal of excess phosphorus through the urine. which contains information on oral chronic toxicity and the RfD, and the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry's (ATSDR's) Toxicological Profile for White Phosphorus. Phosphorus Food Guide Vegetables Low phosphorus 100 mg or less per serving Vegetables Serving size Phosphorus (mg) Asparagus 4 spears 32 Beans, green/yellow snap ½ cup 21 Beets (canned) ½ cup 33 Broccoli ½ cup 29 Cabbage (green or red) ½ cup8 Carrots ½ cup 24 Cauliflower ½ cup 22 Celery ½ cup 15 Corn, kernel ½ cup 69 Corn, creamed in can ½ cup 66 Cucumber (without skin) ½ cup 11 2 In one study mortality rate was recorded as 50% 3 and, in another study, 48% of those who ingested large doses. It was most commonly seen in workers in the matchstick industry in the 19th and early 20th centuries. (4) Uses Most phosphorus is used in the production of phosphoric acid and phosphates, which are used in the fertilizers industry. Causes Share on Pinterest Kidney disease and diabetes are common causes of hyperphosphatemia. Phosphorus spontaneously ignites on contact with air, producing toxic fumes (phosphorus oxides). The ravages of "phossy jaw"—necrosis of the jaw bone caused by phosphorus poisoning—may have been discovered in a young teenager's remains. If you have early-stage kidney disease or you're on dialysis, you may need to limit phosphorus. Along with calcium, phosphorus is needed to build strong healthy bones, as well as, keeping other parts of your body healthy. According to a study published in "The Journal of the American Medical Association" in March 2011, there appears to be an association between high serum levels of phosphorus, as phosphates, and increased risk of death, especially in people with kidney disease. Return to top. How much phosphorus you need depends on your kidney function. Why is phosphorus important to you? Too much phosphate can be toxic. (4) When you have chronic kidney disease (CKD), your kidneys cannot remove phosphorus … Current guidelines recommend choosing natural foods instead of processed foods that have phosphorus added to them. 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