Phosphorus is used in fertilizer industry, metallurgical applications, matches etc. White phosphorus is also used in incendiary bombs.

White phosphorus is very unstable will quickly react with air and start burning. Due to exposure to light and heat white phosphorus slowly turns to red phosphorus and will have a yellowish appearance.

Entries in IMDG code for Phosphorus

• UN 1381 PHOSPHORUS, WHITE, DRY
• UN 1381 PHOSPHORUS, WHITE, IN SOLUTION
• UN 1381 PHOSPHORUS, WHITE, UNDER WATER
• UN 1381 PHOSPHORUS, YELLOW, DRY
• UN 1381 PHOSPHORUS, YELLOW, IN SOLUTION
• UN 1381 PHOSPHORUS, YELLOW, UNDER WATER
• UN 2447 PHOSPHORUS, WHITE, MOLTEN