... used in explosives, nerveagents, friction matches, fireworks, pesticides, toothpaste, anddetergents. Applications Concentrated phosphoric acids, which ... in the form offertilisers. Global demand for fertilizers led to large increases inphosphate production in the ... have many applications,including in plasticizers, flame retardants, pesticides, extractionagents, and water treatment. * Phosphorus is also ...