Fatal aluminium phosphide poisoning

Meena, Mahesh Chand; Mittal, Sachin; Rani, Yashoda

doi:10.1515/intox-2015-0010

Abstract

Aluminium phosphide (AlP) is a cheap solid fumigant and a highly toxic pesticide which is commonly used for grain preservation. AlP has currently aroused interest with a rising number of cases in the past four decades due to increased use for agricultural and non-agricultural purposes. Its easy availability in the markets has increased also its misuse for committing suicide. Phosphine inhibits cellular oxygen utilization and can induce lipid peroxidation. Poisoning with AlP has often occurred in attempts to commit suicide, and that more often in adults than in teenagers. This is a case of suicidal consumption of aluminium phosphide by a 32-year-old young medical anesthetist. Toxicological analyses detected aluminium phosphide. We believe that free access of celphos tablets in grain markets should be prohibited by law.

References

Arora B, Punia RS, Kalra R, Chugh SN, Arora DR. (1995). Histopathological changes in aluminium phosphide poisoning. J Indian Med Assoc93(10): 380–381.
Search in Google Scholar
Jain AK, Nigam M, Garg SD, Dubey BP, Arora A. (2005). Aluminium phosphide poisoning – Autopsy findings. JIAFM27(1): 35–39.
Search in Google Scholar
Bolter C, Chefurka W. (1989). Extra mitochondrial release of hydrogen peroxide from insects and mouse liver mitochondria using respiratory inhibitors--phosphine, nyxothiazol, antimycin and spectral analysis of inhibited cytochromes. Arch Biochem Biophys278(1): 65–72.
Search in Google Scholar
Chefurka W, Kashi KP, Bond EJ. (1976). The effect of phosphine on electron transport in mitochondria. Pest Biochem Physiol6: 350–362.
Search in Google Scholar
Chopra JS, Kalra OP, Malik VS, Sharma R, Chandna A (1986): Aluminium phosphide poisoning: a prospective study of 16 cases in one year. Postgrad Med J62: 1113–1115.10.1136/pgmj.62.734.1113
Search in Google Scholar
Chugh SN. (1992), Aluminium phosphide poisoning – present status and management JAPL40: 401–405.
Search in Google Scholar
Chugh SN. (1995). Aluminium phosphide poisoning with special reference on its diagnosis and management. Review article. J Ind Assoc Clin Med1: 20–22.
Search in Google Scholar
Chugh SN, Arora V, Sharma A, Chugh K. (1996). Free radical scavengers and lipid peroxidation in acute aluminium phosphide poisoning. Indian J Med Res104: 190–193.
Search in Google Scholar
Chugh SN, Ram S, Shanna Anjali, Arora BB Saini AS, Malhotra KG. (1988). Adrenocortical involvement in Aluminium phosphide poisoning. Indian J Med Res90: 289–294.
Search in Google Scholar
Chugh SN, Santram, Mehta L. (1991). Adult respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) following Aluminium phosphide poisoning. J Assoc Physician India37: 27.
Search in Google Scholar
Garry VF, Good PF, Manivel JC, Perl DP. (1993). Investigation of a fatality from non occupational aluminium phosphide exposure: measurement of aluminium in tissue and body fluids as a marker of exposure. J Lab Clin Med122: 739–747.
Search in Google Scholar
Gupta BD, Hapani JH, Shah VN. (2006). Current trend of poisoning in Jamnagar. J Indian Acad Forensic Med28(3): 90–92.
Search in Google Scholar
Kabra SG, Narayanan R. (1988). Aluminium phosphide: worse than Bhopal. Lancet1(8598): 1333.
Search in Google Scholar
Karamjit S, Oberoi SS, Bhullar DS. (2003). Poisoning trends in the Malwa region of Punjab. J Punjab Acad Forensic Med Toxicol3: 26–29.
Search in Google Scholar
Khosla SN, Handa R, Khosla P. (1992). Aluminium phosphide poisoning. Trop Doct22(4): 155–157.
Search in Google Scholar
Khosla SN, Chugh SN, Nityanand, Saini RS. (1986). Systemic involvement in Aluminium phosphide poisoning. JAPL34(3): 227–230
Search in Google Scholar
Mehrpour O, Singh S (2010): Rice tablet poisoning: a major concern in Iranian population. Hum Exp Toxicol29: 701–702.10.1177/0960327109359643
Search in Google Scholar
Mishra UK, Tripathi AK, Pandey R. (1989). The spectrum of phosphine toxicity in India. JAPL37: 68.
Search in Google Scholar
Nagar KS. (1985). Aluminium phosphide poisoning. J Assoc Physicians India33(12): 819–820.
Search in Google Scholar
Raman R, Dubey M. (1985). The electrocardiographic changes in quick phos poisoning. Ind Heart J37(3): 193–195.
Search in Google Scholar
Ranga GS, Dwivedi S, Agarwal M, Kumar D. (2004): Aluminium phosphide poisoning in a young adult: a suicidal cardiotoxin simulating myocardial ischaemia. J Ind Acad Clin Med5: 369.
Search in Google Scholar
Saraswat PK, Gupta BP, Malhotra VK, Goyal VK. (1985). Prevalence of fatalities due to Aluminium phosphide poisoning in Southern Rajasthan (an epidemiological study). J Forensic Med Toxicol2: 1–7.
Search in Google Scholar
Sepaha GC, Bharani AK, Jain SM, Raman PG. (1985). Actue aluminium phosphide poisoning. J Indian Med Assoc83(11): 378–9.
Search in Google Scholar
Singh D, Dewan I, Pandey AN, Tyagi S. (2003): Spectrum of unnatural fatalities in the Chandigarh zone of north-west India – a 25 year autopsy study from a tertiary care hospital. J Clin Forensic Med10: 145–152.10.1016/S1353-1131(03)00073-7
Search in Google Scholar
Dalbir S, Indarjit D, Vashisht R. (1985). Aluminium phosphide poisoning –autopsy and histopathological findings. JFMT12(1&2): 16–20.
Search in Google Scholar
Singh S, Dilwari JB, Vashisht R, Malhotra HS, Sharma BK. (1985). Aluminium phosphide ingestion. British Medical Journal40: 110–111.
Search in Google Scholar
Siwach SB, Yadav DR, Arora B, Dalal S, Jagdish. (1988). Acute aluminium phosphide poisoning – An epidemiological, clinical and histopathological study. J Assoc Physicians India36(10): 594–596.
Search in Google Scholar
Sudakin DL. (2005). Occupational exposure to aluminium phosphide and phosphine gas? A suspected case report and review of the literature. Hum Exp Toxicol24: 27–33.
Search in Google Scholar

Fatal aluminium phosphide poisoning

Abstract

Paradigm

My account