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match the facts. Keep in mind that the data sheet doesn't necessarily only presuppose widespread aerial dispersal. It's looking at people dealing with the stuff in containers in a chemical plant or on a lab bench.
First, the primary problem in an enclosed area isn't going to be the phosphorus (V) oxide. It's going to be the fire. WP burns hot, and the delivery system will likely spread fragments of WP.
Second, keep in mind the prescribed, standard uses for WP. Illumination, meaning that troops will be exposed to the phosphorus (V) oxide, or as a smoke screen that troops may have to enter. Under those uses, the concentration of phosphorus (V) oxide ranks as an irritant, primarily to the mucosa. That's been tested, the likely concentrations known, and the first aid simple.
Third, remember the description: skin melted/burned, clothes intact. In a confined area where the phosphorus (V) oxide concentration would be high enough to be really dangerous, expect the clothing to be burned, at least in part, from the fragmented WP. But this is contrary to reports. It also calls into question whether the army would likely try to use a side effect, easily mitigated, instead of relying on the quite impressive primary effect: but that is precisely what's needed for your assertion, the primacy of the side effects.
Moreover, if the area has a high enough concentration of phosphorus (V) oxide to be truly dangerous, we can make some fairly good assumptions. It'll probably be confined, and likely the men will be sweating. Their clothes will be damp. And any liquid on their skin will be wicked into their clothing. We should expect, as the moisture in the clothing dries (and under those conditions it's constantly being replenished) the phosphoric acid will be most concentrated there. The clothing should incur damage. If we take the other tack and say that the men weren't sweating, it means we'd have only traces of phosphoric acide on their skin. Both scenarios are contrary to the eye-witness accounts. And, of course, the quick and easy way of dealing with the irritation is to leave the area.
Phosphorus, from any source, is toxic. But it's really the chronic exposure that gets you; large single doses can be dangerous. Remember that phosphorus poisoning was actually fairly common for a few decades, I think in the late 1800s.
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