In addition to our report: “ Warning to North and Baltic Sea vacationers: supposed amber is dangerous phosphorus ! “ from June 20th, 2016 we would also like to point out a Facebook status post!
++WARNING TO THE POPULATION++
Alleged amber is dangerous phosphorus – police warn of serious burns
Alleged “amber” is currently being found again and again on the beaches of the North and Baltic Seas. But it is dangerous white phosphorus from incendiary bombs from World War II. The police are now warning of serious burns. White phosphorus is highly toxic; just 50 mg is fatal to humans. Death only occurs after five to ten days. White phosphorus is also only slowly excreted.
Phosphorus is visually almost indistinguishable from amber! Now that it is expected to get up to 30°C this week, the white phosphorus can ignite and burn through the skin at almost 1500°C.
If you discover such “stones” on the beaches, please do not touch them and inform the fire department or police directly about the find. Make sure that no one comes near the Phophor.
The chemical residues come from incendiary bombs from the Second World War in which phosphorus was used as an incendiary agent. Many of these bombs now lie at the bottom of the Baltic Sea and begin to rust over time. The toxic substance is released.
Police warning! Dangerous phosphorus on German beaches
It is best to store finds in a metal container
Since even experts cannot tell whether an object is dangerous phosphorus or harmless amber, the experts from the explosive ordnance disposal service advise not to carry such finds on your person or in your hand, but rather to transport them in a metal container if possible. “If the phosphorus then ignites, you can simply put the container down and wait until it has burned off and nothing is left of the dangerous substance,” explains Kinast. In winter, the chance of encountering phosphorus is greater than during the summer months. “Since phosphorus dries quickly in the warm sun and then ignites, finds are somewhat more common in the cold season.”
The Schleswig-Holstein State Criminal Police Office explains in an information flyer how to deal with ammunition found on the beach.
In an emergency – stay in the water!
If you come into contact with burning phosphorus, you should immediately go into the water and stay there if possible. the fire brigade must be informed - there is an acute danger to life! If possible, you should try to take off your clothing as quickly as possible in the water to prevent it from re-igniting later on land. “Even if it is difficult at the moment and you are in a lot of pain, you should stay in the water as long as possible until the rescue workers arrive,” emphasizes Oliver Kinast. If you have no way of reaching the water, the wound can be covered with wet sand. Parents should definitely talk to their children about the topic of phosphorus on the beach. “Even if the risk of a burn is rather low, it is important to make as many people as possible aware of the issue,” said the expert.
Notes:
1) This content reflects the current state of affairs at the time of publication. The reproduction of individual images, screenshots, embeds or video sequences serves to discuss the topic. 2) Individual contributions were created through the use of machine assistance and were carefully checked by the Mimikama editorial team before publication. ( Reason )