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Cited by 158Poisoning and overdose treatmentsPesticide Exposure and ToxicityHeavy Metal Exposure and Toxicity

An update on toxicology of aluminum phosphide

Open access
Moghadamnia, Ali Akbar·2012·DARU Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences
DOI 10.1186/2008-2231-20-25PMC PMC3555759
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Abstract

Aluminum phosphide (AlP) is a cheap solid fumigant and a highly toxic pesticide which is commonly used for grain preservation. In Iran it is known as the “rice tablet”. AlP has currently aroused interest with increasing number of cases in the past four decades due to increased use in agricultural and non-agricultural purposesand also its easy availability in the markets has increased its misuse to commit suicide. Upon contact with moisture in the environment, AlP undergoes a chemical reaction yielding phosphine gas, which is the active pesticidal component. Phosphine inhibits cellular oxygen utilization and can induce lipid peroxidation. It was reported that AlP has a mortality rate more than 50% of intoxication cases. Poisoning with AlP has usually occurred in attempts to suicide. It is a more common case in adults rather than teen agers. In some eastern countries it is a very common agent with rapid action for suicide. Up to date, there is no effective antidote or treatment for its intoxication. Also, some experimental results suggest that magnesium sulfate, N-acetyl cysteine (NAC), glutathione, vitamin C and E, beta-carotenes, coconut oil and melatonin may play an important role in reducing the oxidative outcomes of phosphine. This article reviews the experimental and clinical features of AlP intoxication and tries to suggest a way to encounter its poisoning.

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  • The toxicity of Al phosphide was probably due to formation of highly toxic phosphine gas rather than to Al exposure.

    “The toxicity was probably due to the formation of highly toxic phosphine gas rather than to Al exposure (Alter et al., 2001; Kamanyire and Murray, 2003; Moghadamnia, 2012).”

    From Aluminium toxicosis: a review of toxic actions and effects (2019) · cites this paper as Moghadamnia, 2012

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References 83 · Cited by 158

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Authors
Moghadamnia, A. A.
Affiliations
Babol University of Medical Sciences (IR)
Corresponding author
Moghadamnia, Ali Akbar
ORCID
Moghadamnia, Ali Akbar
Venue
DARU Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences
Publisher
Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Published
2012-09-03
Volume
20
Issue
1
Pages
25-25
ISSN
  • 1560-8115 (ISSN-L)
  • 2008-2231
DOI
10.1186/2008-2231-20-25
PMC
PMC3555759
OpenAlex
W2139408713
Cited by
158
References
83
Citations by year
2026: 8 · 2025: 10 · 2024: 15 · 2023: 19 · 2022: 12 · 2021: 21 · 2020: 10 · 2019: 10 · 2018: 9 · 2017: 13 · 2016: 8 · 2015: 10 · 2014: 5 · 2013: 5 · 2012: 2
FWCI
7.83
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Licence
Locations
  • DARU Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • Europe PMC (PubMed Central) (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • PubMed Central (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • DOAJ (DOAJ: Directory of Open Access Journals) (submittedVersion)
Topics
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Emergency Medicine › Poisoning and overdose treatments
  • Life Sciences › Agricultural and Biological Sciences › Plant Science › Pesticide Exposure and Toxicity
  • Physical Sciences › Environmental Science › Health, Toxicology and Mutagenesis › Heavy Metal Exposure and Toxicity
Keywords
aluminum phosphide, phosphine poisoning, suicide attempts, fumigant toxicity, grain conservation, lipid peroxidation, oxidative stress, antidotes, magnesium sulfate, N-acetylcysteine, glutathione, melatonin

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