Need for antidote for aluminium phosphide poisoning.

Human toxicity of aluminium phosphide occurs due to the toxic effects of phosphine which is liberated in stomach on ingestion (1). The effect is worse in the presence of hydrochloric acid in the stomach. It is widely absorbed from gastrointestinal tract and has cytotoxic action as it inhibits mitochondrial respiration. It affects almost all systems i.e. gastrointestinal, cardiovascular, respiratory, hepatobilliary, renal and central nervous system. It is also known to affect muscles and adrenal cortex, and to cause bleeding diathesis.