JIST

Abstract

Zinc phosphide, a commonly used rodenticide is emerging as one of the popular self-poisoning agents in adults due to its low cost, easy availability and highly toxic nature. Zinc phosphide acts by liberating toxic phosphine gas on coming in contact with gastric acid, and fatal period varies from a few hours to 24 hrs. 

In this paper, two cases of zinc phosphide poisoning autopsied at the mortuary of Kasturba Medical College, Mangalore are presented. In both cases, the deceased were young adults who consumed the poison in the vicinity of their own house and died after a few days of hospitalization. No external injuries were present on the body.

Chemical analysis report was positive for the presence of zinc ions in the preserved viscera and blood. Histopathology of internal organs was non-specific. 

In a developing country like India, where agriculture is the main source of livelihood of the majority of the population, loss of crops due to insects cannot be ignored and thereby the use of rodenticides cannot be abolished. Hence, measures for the safe usage and disposal of rodenticides should be adopted. In addition, it is advisable to make available expert psychiatric services to the community which could help in identifying high-risk individuals who are likely to commit deliberate self-harm.