Occupational phosphine exposure in Indian workers

To evaluate the health effects of occupational phosphine exposure, 22 workers engaged in fumigation of stored grains were subjected to a clinical and environmental study. These workers were used to placing aluminum phosphide tablets on the stacks of grains and covering it with a gas-proof plastic cover. The mean age of the workers was 48 years (range 24-60) and mean duration of exposure 11.1 years (range 0.5-29). After fumigation they reported minor symptoms, which included cough (18.2%), dyspnoea (31.8%), tightness around the chest (27.3%), headache (31.8%), giddiness, numbness and lethargy (13.6% each), anorexia and epigastric pain (18.2% each). The abnormal physical signs included bilateral diffuse rhonchi and absent ankle reflex each occurring in one worker. Motor nerve conduction velocity of median and peroneal nerves, and sensory conduction velocity of median and sural nerves were normal. Phosphine concentration in the work environment ranged from 0.17 to 2.11 ppm. Occupational phosphine exposure in the workers was associated with mild to moderate symptoms, which were transient. However, to assess the chronic effects, long-term follow-up is recommended.