Metal phosphides, especially aluminum phosphide, and phosphine (PH3 ) are widely used as insecticides and rodenticides for protection of grains during process of storage and transportation. The main reason of poisoning with this compound is related to the conscious ingestion of salts or accidental inhalation of PH3 . So the early and accurate diagnosis of poisoning can significantly help to the effective clinical treatment or recognition of death cause. PH3 is somewhat unstable due to reaction with oxygen or hemoglobin leading to formation of oxy-acids phosphorous. Here, we critically reviewed the literature introducing the quantitative and qualitative methods for the detection of metal phosphides, PH3 , and its products. This study obviously demonstrates that during past years, different diagnosis methods have been remarkably progressed. Head-space gas chromatography and confirmatory colorimetric methods have been as the most popular techniques. Also, the gas sensors are a promising method that must be more progressed.
Keywords: aluminum phosphide; diagnosis; metal phosphides.
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