Accidental Phosphine Gas Poisoning with Fatal Myocardial Dysfunction in Two Families

Aluminum phosphide is commonly used as a rodenticide and insecticide and is one of the most fatal poisons. The active ingredient is Phosphine gas which inhibits cytochrome oxidase and cellular oxygen utilization. The clinical symptoms are due to multiorgan involvement including cardiac toxicity which is the most common cause of mortality. Severity of clinical manifestations depends upon the amount of the gas to which a person is exposed. There is no specific antidote available. High index of suspicion and early aggressive treatment is the key to success. We report 2 cases of aluminum phosphide toxicity in 2 families due to incidental exposure after fumigation. (author)