Serial blood phosphine levels in acute aluminium phosphide poisoning

Serial blood phosphine (PH3) levels were done in patients with severe (Group I, n = 30), mild (Group 2, n = 10) and minimal or nil toxicity due to aluminium phosphide compound. Blood phosphine levels were significantly higher (p < 0.001) in patients of Group I than other two groups. Phosphine was not detectable in Group 3 patients. Therefore, blood phosphine levels were positively correlated to clinical grades of toxicity and to dose of active pesticide consumed. Higher the blood phosphine, higher was the mortality. Patients having blood phosphine levels equal to or less than 1.067 +/- 0.16 mg% survived, hence, it appeared to be limit of phosphine toxicity.