Guidance

Aluminium phosphide: general information

Updated 22 October 2024

Overview

Aluminium phosphide is a yellow or dark grey crystalline solid that has a garlic-like odour. When aluminium phosphide is exposed to water or the moisture in open air it will release phosphine gas.

Uses of aluminium phosphide

Aluminium phosphide is primarily used as a pesticide that is used by various professionals including farmers, pest controllers, gamekeepers and estate managers. It is often dispersed in pellets; the pellets react with moisture which produces toxic phosphine gas. A license and appropriate training are required in order to purchase or use aluminium phosphide products.

Aluminium phosphide is also used to make semi-conductor materials such as light-emitting diodes.

How aluminium phosphide gets into the environment

Aluminium phosphide may enter the environment from industry where it is created, stored, transported or disposed of. It may also be released into the environment following its use as a pesticide.

Aluminium phosphide is harmful to the environment, however, it degrades following release.

Exposure to aluminium phosphide

Exposure to aluminium phosphide may occur in workplaces in which it is used; generally, this is in pest control, such as when it is used as a fumigant for grain. However safe limits are enforced to protect the employees from the phosphine that may be formed in these situations. Such levels are below those that are thought to cause harmful effects.

As it is only used in closed environments, the proper use of aluminium phosphide is not expected to lead to exposure of the general public.

How exposure to aluminium phosphide could affect your health

Following exposure to any chemical, the adverse health effects by which you may encounter depend on several factors, including the amount to which you are exposed (dose), the way you are exposed, the duration of exposure, the form of the chemical and if you were exposed to any other chemicals.

It is very unlikely that the general population will be exposed to a level of aluminium phosphide high enough to cause adverse health effects.

Aluminium phosphide is highly toxic. When it is exposed to water or moisture in the air it releases phosphine gas, which is responsible for the adverse health effects.

The effects of exposure to aluminium phosphide are usually very rapid.

Eating aluminium phosphide can cause pain in the throat and stomach, nausea, vomiting and laboured breathing. There may be vomiting of blood and a smell of garlic on the breath.

Damage to the lungs including a build-up of fluid can occur, often with a delay of up to 2 days. There may be kidney injury, shock, heart failure and death.

Breathing phosphine gas released from aluminium phosphide can cause irritation of the nose, mouth, throat and lungs. The immediate effects include nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea and stomach pain. There may be chest tightness, breathlessness, dry mouth, fever, tremors, weakness, dizziness and incoordination. In severe cases, it can cause abnormal heart rhythm, heart failure, shock, a build-up of fluid on the lungs and death.

Contact with the skin may cause sweating, irritation and a feeling of pins and needles. Eye contact may cause irritation, double vision and yellowing of the vision.

Aluminium phosphide and cancer

Aluminium phosphide is not thought to be a cancer causing chemical.

Pregnancy and the unborn child

There are limited data available on the effects of exposure to aluminium phosphide on pregnancy and the unborn child. Therefore it is not possible to draw any definitive conclusions. Effects on the unborn child are more likely to occur if the exposure to aluminium phosphide causes the mother to become unwell.

Children

Children exposed to aluminium phosphide would be expected to display similar symptoms to those seen in exposed adults. However, as children weigh less the effects may be more severe than those seen in adults exposed to the same amount of aluminium phosphide.

What to do if you are exposed to aluminium phosphide

It is very unlikely that the general population will be exposed to a level of aluminium phosphide high enough to cause adverse health effects. However, if you have any health concerns regarding exposure to aluminium phosphide seek guidance from your GP or contact NHS 111.

Additional sources of information

UKTIS: best use of medicines in pregnancy

NHS.UK information on poisoning

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