As a San Clemente woman heals from third-degree burns inflicted by mysterious beach rocks that ignited in her pocket, the Marine Corps has entered the investigation to figure out what happened.
“We’ve already intiated an internal investigation to determine the possible origins of the rocks,” said Camp Pendleton spokesman Capt. Barry Edwards. "We’re going to conduct a thorough investigation.”
No timetable has been set for finishing the study. The rocks were found to contain combustible phosphorus, but their source remains a mystery.
Officials from the San Diego Department of Environmental Health said their counterparts in Orange County thoroughly investigated the area of San Onofre Beach where the woman found the rocks, which ignited in her pants after she returned to her north San Clemente home.
Investigators with the county determined the beach was safe.
“We don’t have any plans to investigate further based on everything that the Orange County people found," said Gig Conaughton, spokesman for the San Diego County Department of Environmental Health. “They already canvassed the area trying to find anything else and they haven’t.”
For now, it's still unclear why the rocks burst into flame.
“At this point, it’s still something of a mystery,” Conaughton continued. “There’s no evidence to indicate a source.”
Phosphorus is used in several ways in munitions. San Onofre State Beach is leased from land owned by the Marine base, and San Clemente Island off the coast is a live fire range for the Navy.
Was it exposure to air after it was in her pocket? Was it body heat? Did it come in contact with another chemical?
The real question is; How did the rocks get coated with phosphorus, &/or how did they end up on that beach?!
field runoff or leach into ground water. The two main components of fertilizer that are of greatest concern to source water quality (ground water and surface water used as public drinking water supplies) are nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P). This fact sheet focuses on the management of agricultural fertilizer applications; see the fact sheets on managing agricultural pesticide use, animal waste, and storm water runoff for other prevention measures that relate to agriculture.
Add friction caused by fabric rub against salt deposits (metals) and presto. Case closed. NEXT!!! The Marines may be shoot-first-ask-questions-later-killing-machines, but they damn well know know a ton about the application, use and effects of U.S. munitions.
Those who live in glass houses shouldn't throw boxes of rocks.
She did something illegal, and it had devastating consequences. I am not saying there should not be an investigation. I'm just saying that if we are going to assign blame, part of it belongs to the person who broke the law and was injured because of it. I do appreciate your answer to Juan :)