Aluminum Phosphate as a Killer Pesticide in Human Body
Keywords:
Aluminum Phosphate, pesticide, phosphine gas, poisoning, supportive careAbstract
Aluminium Phosphate (AlP) is a commonly used pesticide. It is a cheap and solid fumigant that showsa high level of toxicity and is one of the most common reasons for poisoning by agricultural pesticides. It is also known as rice pills or wheat pills. The composition of AlP includes 56% Aluminium Phosphide and 44% inert ingredients which prevent the tablet from decomposition. The toxicity aroused due to AlP gained popularity in the last four decades due to the increasing use of pesticides in agricultural and non-agricultural activities. The pesticide has easy availability in markets due to which it is being diagnosed in many suicidal cases. The mortality rate of AlP is more than 50% in intoxication. When AlP comes in contact with the moisture present in the environment or with HCl present in the stomach, it liberates phosphine gas which is the active component. The liberation of gas leads to cell hypoxia, inhibiting the utilization of cellular oxygen and thus inducing lipid peroxidation. The particular targets of AlP toxicity are the vascular and cardiac system thus causing congestive heart failure, refractory hypotension and other electrocardiographic abnormalities. The clinical diagnosis of AlP is dependent on the history or clinical suspicion, and can be confirmed by performing Silver Nitrate test of gastric content or breathe. Till date there is no specific antidote available for treatment of AlP toxicity. The only treatment method includes the supportive care. This review article explains the effect of Aluminium Phosphate inside the human body.
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