A Qualitative Method for White Phosphorus Detection in South Lebanon Soils

Abstract White phosphorus is an explosive substance mostly used to create a dense smoke screen during conflicts. When exposed to air, it burns at extremely high temperatures and starts fires in the areas in which it is deployed. White phosphorus has detrimental effects on human health, it can cause respiratory disorders, organ failure and third degree burns. Since the start of October 2023 attacks, South Lebanon villages were hit with white phosphorus bombs which caused extensive fires and loss of agricultural fields. This paper presents a rapid qualitative method to test white phosphorus presence in soil samples taken at 5 cm and 30 cm depth from 9 villages attacked by white phosphorus bombs: Naqoura, Alma Shaab, Aita Shaab, Ramiah, Beit Leif, Rmeish, Rshaf, Kafra and Yarin. Positive results were found in Naqoura, Alma Shaab, Aita Shaab, Ramiah, Beit Leif, Rmeish and Yarin, whereas for Rshaf and Kafra, no white phosphorus was detected in our soil samples. This study provides information on white phosphorus contamination in south Lebanon soils, and sheds the light on its agricultural and environmental consequences.