Forensic Science International
Volume 214, Issue 1 , Pages 1-6, 10 January 2012

Phosphide poisoning: A review of literature

  • Gurvinder Singh Bumbrah

      Affiliations

    • Department of Anthropology, Panjab University, Chandigarh-160 014, India
    • Corresponding Author InformationCorresponding author at: Department of Anthropology, UGC Centre for Advanced Studies and FIST Department, Panjab University, Chandigarh-160 014, India. Tel.: +91 8699438898.
    • ,
  • Kewal Krishan

      Affiliations

    • Department of Anthropology, Panjab University, Chandigarh-160 014, India
    • ,
  • Tanuj Kanchan

      Affiliations

    • Department of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology, Kasturba Medical College, Manipal University, Mangalore-575001, India
    • ,
  • Madhulika Sharma

      Affiliations

    • Forensic Science Laboratory, Government of the NCT of Delhi, New Delhi-110085, India
    • ,
  • Gurvinder Singh Sodhi

      Affiliations

    • Forensic Science Unit, S.G.T.B. Khalsa College, University of Delhi, Delhi-110007, India

Received 5 May 2011; received in revised form 18 June 2011; accepted 19 June 2011. published online 15 July 2011.

Abstract 

Metal phosphides in general and aluminium phosphide in particular are potent insecticides and rodenticides. These are commercially used for protection of crops during storage, as well as during transportation. However, these are highly toxic substances. Their detrimental effects may range from nausea and headache to renal failure and death. It is, therefore, pertinent to ensure their circumspect handling to avoid poisoning episodes. Its poisoning has a high mortality and recent years have seen an increase in the number of poisoning cases and deaths caused by suicidal ingestion. Yet due to their broad spectrum applications, these chemicals cannot be written off. The present communication reviews the various aspects of toxicity associated with metal phosphides.

Keywords: Forensic toxicology, Metal phosphides, Aluminium phosphide, Phosphine, Toxicity

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PII: S0379-0738(11)00299-4

doi:10.1016/j.forsciint.2011.06.018

Forensic Science International
Volume 214, Issue 1 , Pages 1-6, 10 January 2012

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