Aluminium Phosphide

Aluminium phosphide is the chemical compound with the empirical formula AlP. This colourless solid is generally sold as a grey-green-yellow powder due to the presence of impurities arising from hydrolysis and oxidation. This material is a wide band gap semiconductor and is used as a fumigant. AlP is used as a rodenticide, insecticide, and fumigant for stored cereal grains. It is used to kill small verminous mammals such as moles, rabbits, and rodents. The tablets or pellets typically also contain other chemicals that evolve ammonia which helps to reduce the potential for spontaneous ignition or explosion of the phosphine gas. RECOMMENDED USES : Aluminium phosphide is for the fumigation of stored grains, cereals, pulses, millet and propagation seeds, bulk stock feeds, milled products, de-oiled cakes, rice bran flour, suji meals and crushed grain, processed and packaged food stuffs, dry fruits, nuts, spices, oil seeds, tobacco, etc..... As a rodenticide, aluminium phosphide pellets are provided as a mixture with food for consumption by the rodents. The acid in the digestive system of the rodent reacts with the phosphide to generate the toxic phosphine gas. Other pesticides similar to aluminium phosphide are zinc phosphide and calcium phosphide. Symptoms : Headaches, pressing sensation in chest, dizziness, nausea, difficulty in breathing, vomiting and diarrhoea. Precautions : Aluminium phosphide and its fumes are highly toxic. Read safety instructions before opening or using. Handle with care, avoid contact with pesticides. Wear full protective clothing like rubber gloves and respirators while handling. Do not eat, drink or smoke when handling. Do not inhale dust or gas, use detector strips before entering treated areas.