Final answer:
Immediate submersion in water or mineral oil, depending on the substance, is recommended for skin contact with phosphorus or elemental sodium, due to their reactivity. Failure to provide safer working conditions in industrial settings may stem from cost concerns or lack of safety prioritization. Phosphorus use in detergents has significantly declined due to eutrophication concerns, resulting in a shift to phosphate-free alternatives.
Step-by-step explanation:
When dealing with skin exposure to substances like phosphorus or elemental sodium, the recommended approach involves specific first aid measures due to the reactive nature of these elements. If skin comes into contact with phosphorus or elemental sodium, it's important to prevent any reaction with oxygen or water. The affected area should be submerged or rinsed in water for elemental sodium or mineral oil for phosphorus to prevent further chemical burns and injury. Employers in industrial workplaces often have to mitigate exposure risks to such reactive substances.
Conditions in industrial workplaces might have exposed workers to these substances through the manufacturing processes or accidents. Employers could have prevented this problem by implementing proper safety protocols, regular training on handling hazardous materials, and providing personal protective equipment. Safer working conditions may not have been provided due to a lack of awareness of the risks, perceived costs of safety measures, or prioritization of production over safety.
Today, the environmental impact of phosphorus is minimized, as many detergents are made without it, reducing the phenomenon of eutrophication. Knowledge of such environmental damage has led to the ban of phosphate-containing detergents in many areas and the development of phosphate substitutes is an ongoing area of research.