Research Article
Volume 2 Issue 4 - 2018
House Hold Remedies in Phosphide Poisoning.
Avinash Shankar1*, Amresh Shankar2 and Anuradha Shankar3
1MBBS (MGIMS); MD (Internal Medicine); DNB (E&M); PhD, Postgraduate in Endocrinology & Metabolism (AIIMS Delhi), Chairman, National Institute of Health & Research, Warisaliganj (Nawada) Bihar India
2BAMS (BRABU);MHA, Director (Hon), Aarogyam Punarjeevan, Ram Bhawan ,Ara Garden Road ,Jagdeopath Baily Road, Patna 14
3BAMS (BRABU), Ex Director, Centre for Indigenous Medicine & Research, Senior Research Fellow, Regional Institute of Ayurveda, Itanagar, Arunachal Pradesh
*Corresponding Author: Avinash Shankar, MBBS (MGIMS); MD (Internal Medicine); DNB (E&M); PhD, Postgraduate in Endocrinology & Metabolism (AIIMS Delhi), Chairman, National Institute of Health & Research, Warisaliganj (Nawada) Bihar India.
Received: November 26, 2018; Published: December 21, 2018
Abstract
Phosphide poisoning is known worldwide, especially in developing countries like India. It is being consumed frequently and exclusively for suicidal purpose. Among phosphide cereal preservatives (Aluminium phosphide -CELPHOS) and rodenticide (Zinc phosphide) are used quite rampantly. Considering the lethal outcome in patients remained untreated for longer duration, a measure to restrict release and absorption of phosphine various house hold measure being used, but majority i.e- use of mustard oil, soap water and salt solution to induce emesis result in corrosive gastritis and bleeding which facilitate increased release and absorption of phosphine in turn increases toxicity and lethal outcome.
Thus an awareness cum health education campaign was launched in 16 gram panchayat head quarter of Warisaliganj block of Nawada district of Bihar and educated through audio visual system to use Egg albumin Or Ghreet after any incident of phosphide poisoning (Aluminium phosphide Or Zinc phosphide) as early as possible and transfer the patient to appropriate centre for proper treatment.
Material & Method: After this awareness program 1525 patients of phosphide consumption admitted at Centre for Critical Care RA. Hospital & Research Centre, Warisaliganj (Nawada) Bihar were considered, interrogated, clinically examined, investigated and duly treated.
Result: Out of all 1525 cases 945 cases have used either Egg albumin Or Ghreet within 1-2 hours and admitted at our centre within 3 hours of consumption, had complete recovery in 99.5% patient (941/945) within 12 hours while other attending within same time and given similar treatment only 228(39.3%) survived after rigorous and vigil observation for 36 hours but with altered haematological, hepatic, renal and neurological deficit.
Conclusion: Administration of Egg albumin Or Ghreet acting as physicochemical barrier restrict phosphide dissolution, release and absorption of phosphine as phosphide is non-miscible to both, thus markedly improve therapeutic outcome.
Key words: Phosphide; Aluminium phosphide; Release; Absorption
Introduction
Increasing financial constrain isolating family and increasing cost of day to day expenditure and intent to live lavishly generate stress and strain which ultimately leads to suicidal tendency and prompt consumption of easily available poison and common among them cereal preservatives or rodenticide , both phosphide ie Celphos (Aluminium phosphide) and rodenticide (Zinc phosphide) [1-5] which due to its lethal potency ensure death in majority cases who remained untreated for longer duration and presenting with agonising pain in abdomen ,intense urge for water and black discoloration of blood [6-8].
Aluminum phosphide poisoning is known worldwide especially in developing countries like India Lethal dose of ALP (aluminium phosphide) is 1-1.5g. Deaths are reported even with a dose of 150-500 mg when ingested liberates a lot of phosphine gas Which causes non-competitive inhibition of the mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase blocks the electron transfer chain and oxidative phosphorylation, producing an energy crisis in the cells. The severe toxicity of ALP particularly affects the cardiac and vascular tissues which manifests as profound and refractory hypotension and congestive heart failure, metabolic acidosis is again common probably due to lactic acid accumulation as a result of inhibited oxidative phosphorylation and regressed tissue perfusion. Severity of metabolic acidosis is also a prognostic indicator in ALP (Aluminium phosphide) toxicity. [9-10].
Prime motive of management is to ensure effective oxygenation, ventilation and circulation till complete neutralization and excretion of generated phosphine. Patients of severe phosphide poisoning need continuous and assured invasive hemodynamic monitoring and prompt early resuscitation with fluid and vasoactive agents. Specific measure against phosphide poisoning constitutes restricting release and absorption of generated phosphine, reducing cellular toxicity and increasing excretion through kidney and lungs [11-13].
In vitro study affirm role of vegetable oils and liquid paraffin in restricting release and absorption of phosphine released on consumption of phosphide due to physiochemical properties of phosphide and non-miscibility with fat . the mechanism by which coconut oil reduces the toxicity of phosphides was proposed that it forms a protective layer around the gastric mucosa, thereby preventing the absorption of phosphine gas Secondly it helps in diluting the HCl and again inhibiting the breakdown of phosphide from the pellet. Sodium-bicarbonate mainly neutralizes the HCl acid and thus diminishing the catalytic reaction of phosphide with HCl, thereby inhibiting the release of phosphine. Medicated liquid paraffin or coconut oil should be given immediately after ALP ingestion [14-16].
Majority patients were advocated oils and other fats to restrict the release and absorption of phosphine gas due to restricted dissolution of Aluminium phosphide and Zinc phosphide [16-18] but use of mustard oil induces mucosal erosion and gastro intestinal bleeding and worsen the situation. Sometimes salt solution or Soap solution being used to induce emesis but results in corrosive gastritis and bleeding resulting in increased release and absorption of phosphine which form met haemoglobin and restrict oxygen transport [18-20]. Thus with intent to delay and decline dissolution of the consumed poison a house hold remedy i.e- Egg albumin and ghreet been evaluated in patients consuming poison.
Objective of study
To evaluate readily available house hold fat or egg albumin in delaying and declining dissolution of consumed poison for better outcome and post therapy quality of life .
Duration of study:
March 2012 to April 2018
Material and Methods
Material
Population of 16 gram panchayats of Warisaliganj Block of Nawada district of Bihar having risk of exposure to poison were considered.
Gram panchayats of Warisaliganj Block
Apsarh, Barnama, Baghibardiha, Chakwai, Dosut
Hajipur, Kochgaon, Kutri, Makanpur, Manjaur, Mosma
Mohiuddinpur, Paingri, Shahpur, Saur, Thera
Method
An education cum awareness program on declining fatality in persons consuming poison either accidentally or purposefully, was launched in the different panchayat headquarter of Warisaliganj (Nawada) Bihar with an audio visual screening, in addition patients were duly awared regarding agonising presentation and most encumbers therapeutic procedure and cost of treatment.
Gathering were duly explained regarding the uneventful agonising situation and outcome, methods to delay absorption and release of phosphine on ingestion by delaying and declining dissolution of the poison, so that by the time patients can reach appropriate centre to seek proper and expertise treatment to preserve their life and decline both morbidity, mortality and cost of therapy.
The Community were advised to administer-
  • Egg albumin orally in non-vegetarian
  • Pure Ghreet in vegeterian orally within ½ hour of ingestion or as soon as possible
  • Restrict use of mustard oil, soap solution and salt solution to induce emesis as it will increase absorption and permeability of blood vessels.
  • During post awareness period patients admitted at our centre were interrogated for
  • Post consumption use of adjuvant to induce emesis or delay absorption
  • Use of any other substance to counter the poison
Admitted patients were interrogated, examined, Investigated and treated accordingly and result were observed. In post therapeutic stage patients were duly investigated for Serum phosphine, urine protein, blood urea, Serum creatinine and Hepatic profile, serum bilirubin, SGOT and SGPT.
In addition cost of therapy of patients who been advocated adjunct within 1 or 2 hr of poison consumption versus others are compared to adjudge the adjunct significance in outcome and quality of life in patients of poisoning.
Clinical grade Characteristics
Grade I Complete recovery without any residual
Adversity ,alteration in haematological,
Hepatic, renal or neurological parameters
Within 12 hours of therapy
Grade II Recovery with residual untoward effect
And altered bio parameters with treatment for more than 30 hrs
Grade III Recovery with rigorous vigil observation and continued therapy for 36 hours and post therapy follow up for 5 months for altered bio parameters
Result
Among the admitted 1525 patients of phosphide poisoning after awareness program from the area of coverage, 906 (59.41%) were male and and 619 (40.59%) female. In addition 17.7% cases were of age group 15-20 years while 16.5% were of age group 40-45 years (Table-1; Figure -1)
Age Group (in years) Number of patients Percentage
Male Female            Total
15-20 182 88 270 17.7
20-25 128 136 264 17.3
25-30 112 104 216 14.2
30-35 182 109 291 19.1
35-40 117 110 227 14.9
40-45 185 72 257 16.8
Total 906 619 1525  
Table 1: Distribution of patients as per age & sex.
Figure 1: Pie diagram showing Male Female Composition.
Out of all 48% patients consumed supportive adjuvant therapy within ½ hr of poison consumption while 4.9% after 2 hours of consumption (Table-2)
Duration in Hours Number of Patients Percentage
Male Female Total
Within ½ 419 312 731 48
½- 1 280 128 408 26.8
1-3/2 132 106 238 15.6
3/2-2 46 27 73 4.7
>2 29 46 75 4.9
Table 2: Distribution of patients as per lag period of adjuvant therapy.
Out of all 998(65.4%) and 527(34.6%) have consumed Aluminium Phosphide and Zinc phosphide respectively (figure 2: pie diagram showing poison consumed)
Figure 2: Pie diagram Composition of patterns as per type phosphate.
Out of all 945(62%) patients consumed awared house hold supplement i.e- 396(26%) Egg albumin and 549(36%) ghreet while 580 (38%) patients consumed other irrational house hold adjuvant (Table-3)
Particulars Number Percentage
Awared supplement (A) : 945 62
Egg albumin 396 26
Ghreet 549 36
Other Suppliments (B) 580 38
Mustard oil 354 23.2
Soap water 116 7.6
Salt solution 100 7.2
Table 3: Distribution of patients as per adjuvant used.
Though majority patients 85.7% at the time of admission were fully conscious and 14.3% were unconscious, 17.6% with agonising abdominal pain and 19.8% were carving for water (Table -4)
Particulars Number of patients Percentage
Group A Group B Total
Unconscious 68 150 218 14.3
Conscious 877 430 1307 85.7
Agonising 37 231 268 17.6
Carving for water 48 254 302 19.8
Laboured breathing 04 98 102 6.7
Table 4: Distribution of patients as per clinical status.
Among the admitted patients 6.8% were admitted within 1 hour of consumption while 13.5% were after >3 hours of consumption (Table-5)
Duration in Hours Number of patients Percentage
Within 1 104 6.8
1-2 288 18.9
2-3 928 60.8
>3 205 13.5
Table 5: Distribution of patients as per lag period.
Out of all 37, 48, and 04 patients taking awared supplement had agonising abdominal pain, crave for water and laboured breathing respectively while 231,254 and 98 patients taken other supplement had agonising abdominal pain, crave for water and laboured breathing respectively (Table- 6) 99.5% patients who consumed either egg albumin or ghreet as house hold supportive therapy had complete recovery without any alteration in haematological, hepatic and renal profile while other group only 39.3% patient recovered but with altered hepatic and renal profile ,. Cost of therapy in group A remain less than 40% of the other group
Particulars Number of patients
Group A % Group B %
(945) (580)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Survival:                 
941      99.5 228           39.3              
Post recovery
Quality of life
Normal: 941 99.5 27 4.6
With altered:
Haematological status none 139 23.9
Hepatic status none 126 21.7
Renal status none 76 13.1
Neurological status none 11 2.3
Mean recovery time: 12 hours 36 hours
Clinical grade:
Grade I 941 27 4.6
Grdae II None 182 31.3
Grdae III None 19 3.2
Table 6: Outcome of therapy.
Patients of phosphide poisoning consuming Egg albumin Or Ghreet within 1Or 2 hrs of consumption of either Aluminium phosphide (Grain preservative -Commonly available CELPHOS) Or Zinc Phosphide (Rodenticide) and attended our Centre within 2 hours had outstanding clinical outcome and quality of life in 99.5% than group of patients who had taken other first aid supplement had survival in only in 39.3% with altered haematological, hepatic, renal and mental status.
Discussion
Phosphide toxicity varies with post consumption use of supplement with an intent to restrict phosphide dissolution, release and absorption of phosphine Phosphide affect Cellular respiration due to its effect on mitochondria, inhibition of Cytochrome C oxidase, formation of highly reactive hydroxyl radicals, Cellular injury due to lipid peroxidation, decrease level of catalase and increased superoxide dismutase activity, decline concentration of Glutathione in different tissues [21-22]. With an intent to decrease dissolution of consumed phosphide, restrict release and absorption of phosphine, an awareness program cum health education program been launched to use Egg albumin Or Ghreet after any misuse of phosphide, which ensured an excellent outcome in future incident of phosphide poisoning i.e-
Among admitted 1525 cases of phosphide poisoning 945 used the awared supplement i.e.- Egg albumin Or Ghreet within 1 hour of incident and attended the Centre within 2-3 hours shows survival rate of 99.5%, with mean recovery time of 12 hours and grade I clinical outcome without any post therapy alteration in haematological, hepatic, renal and neurological bio parameters where as other supplement shows survival rate of 39.3%, recovery time of 36 hours of rigorous vigil observation and critical care with altered haematological, hepatic, renal and neurological bioparameters and grade I recovery in only 4.6%. (Figure 3)
PHOSPHIDE POISONING
ALUMINIUM ZINC
PHOSPHIDE PHOSPHIDE
(998) (527)
HOUSE HOLD SUPPLIMENT USE
AWARED SUPPLIMENT OTHER SUPPLIMENT
(945) (580)
Group A Group B
CNS STATUS
UNCONSCIOUS CONSCIOUS
(218) (1307)
(A) (B) (A) (B)
68 150 877 430
LETHAL INDEX
Particulars (A) (B)
Agonising
Abdominal pain 37 231
Crave for water 48 254
Laboured breathing 04 98
OUTCOME
Survival 941 228
(99.5%) (39.3%
Figure 3: Schematic presentation of status of poisoning patient.
Egg albumin Or ghreet forms a physicochemical layer over the phosphide and due to non missibility prevent dissolution and hydration of phosphide thus restrict release of phosphine, coating over the GIT mucosa checks absorption while other supplement either forms a more lethal compound or prompt fast hydration, release of phosphine and increased absorption due to pronounced sodium potassium ATPase pump activity proves more fatal.
Egg albumin OTHER SUPPLIMENT
Mustard Oil:
PHOSHIDE More toxic, GI bleeding
Ghreet Soap Water:
 Increases phosphine
 Release
Restrict dissolution of phosphide Salt water:
Pronounce dissolution
Increase release and
Absorption of Phosphin by
Activating
Restrict release of Phoshin Sodium Potassium ATPase
Pump in GIT
Restrict absorption of Phosphin
 Gastric lavage
Facilitate removal of Removes only suppliment
Maximum toxins and not the toxin
Ensure neutralisation toxin gets absorbed
Of toxin by antidote and pose lethal fate
(Schematic presentation of effect of post consumption supplements)
Figure 4: Schematic presentation of effect of post consumption House hold supplements.
Conclusion
Administration of egg albumin or ghreet acting as physico chemical barrier restrict phosphide dissolution, release and absorption of phosphine as phosphide is non-miscible to both thus markedly improve therapeutic outcome.
Acknowledgement
The Organisation is very thankful to mukhiyas of various panchayat whose dedicated help ensured the success of the project.
Conflict of interest: No conflict
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Citation: Avinash Shankar., et al. “House Hold Remedies in Phosphide Poisoning.” Medical Research and Clinical Case Reports 2.4 (2018): 285-293.
Copyright: © 2018 Avinash Shankar., et al. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited.