The Mortality Rate of Aluminum Phosphide Poisoning; A Comparison with Other Poisonings Recorded in Mazandaran Department of Forensic Medicine, Iran, 2009-2011

Aluminum phosphide (ALP) with molecular formula is dark gray and/or in shape of yellow crystals. Aluminum phosphide is used to prevent pests in rice storage and remove the pests from other stored crops as well as prevent pests in cattle’s food and tobacco. Toxicity by rice tablet (aluminum phosphide) is one of the most common toxicities, especially in northern provinces of Iran. Since, there was no information on the prevalence of aluminum phosphide poisoning in Mazandaran, this study aimed to investigate this prevalence and compare it with other poisonings recorded in Mazandaran Department of Forensic Medicine, from 2009 to 2011. In this descriptive cross-sectional study, the required data were collected from Forensic Medicine Organization of Mazandaran province. Moreover, studying the reports of anatomy and documents of dead during 3 years, the data including age, sex, job, and the reason of toxicities were collected. The chi-square statistical test was used for data analysis and investigation of the relations among the variables. 239 people of 2446 died during 3 years; 42 cases (17.8%) died because of the toxicity of rice tablet (aluminum phosphide). In men, the toxication was 1.6 times more than that of women. The death was frequently occurred for the ages of 21 to 30 years and in groups of free jobs and housework women. The mortality was frequently observed in married people. The most of the toxicities people were observed in cities of the center of province. The toxicity by aluminum phosphide is very common. The organs are damaged by this poison and then die occur, because of the high mortality due to toxicity of rice tablet and lack of especial antitoxin. The best method of treatment is prevention.