Posted to Atlah Media Network By Jeannine Putrelo, written and published by Federation of American Scientists (FAS).

The FAS : Elemental phosphorus was first extracted from urine in 1669 by the German alchemist Hennig Brandt. Of the several different types of elemental phosphorus, Brandt produced white phosphorus (WP), which starts to burn upon exposure to air at 30°C (86°F) in moist conditions and at 35-46°C (95-115°F) in dry conditions. WP also glows in the dark and emits smoke. WP can be stored in water to prevent reactions with oxygen.

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http://www.fas.org/programs/ssp/bio/factsheets/whitephosphorusfactsheet.html