Trends in mortality associated with aluminium phosphide in Nepal after the ban of 3g 56% tablet
1
Centre for Pesticide Suicide Prevention, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
Popul. Med. 2026;8(Supplement Supplement 1):A2611
ABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION:
Aluminum phosphide is a toxic chemical widely used in low- and middle-income countries as insecticide, rodenticide, and fumigant (1). The use of the 3g 56% concentration tablet is reported to cause many accidental and intentional poisonings (2,3). In 2019, 3g 56% tablet of the product was identified as one of the most common means of intentional poisonings in Nepal. In 2019, this formulation was banned, with other formulations registered (4,5). Regulation of pesticides is suggested as an effective methods of preventing harms (6).
METHODS:
This presentation discusses the results of two studies that collected data on the trends of fatal pesticide poisoning in Nepal over a seven years period (pre-ban 2017-2020 and post-ban 2021-2024). Incidents of fatal pesticide poisoning were collected from Nepal’s two toxicology labs.
RESULTS:
There were 3,005 pesticide suicides in the pre-ban period and 1,331 in the post-ban period, corresponding to an average of 85.9 and 37.0 cases per month, respectively, or a 56.9% reduction. Much of the reduction was due to a decrease in poisonings with organophosphate pesticides. There was an increase in the percentage of poisonings involving phosphine gas from 31.1% in 2017-20, to 48.2% in 2021-24. While the absolute number of phosphine gas poisonings decreased from 934 in 2017-2020 to 642 in 2021-2024, it increased proportionally. Almost half of all fatal poisonings in 2021-2024 were due to phosphine gas (48.2%).
CONCLUSIONS:
Despite the overall reduction in fatal pesticide poisonings due to phosphine gas, the change of the formulation of the product – the ban of the 3g tablet - was not associated with the proportionate decrease in deaths due to this chemical. More research is needed for evidence-based decision-making. This presentation will be of interest to toxicologists, public health researchers and decision-makers interested in reducing adverse impact of chemicals on health.
Aluminum phosphide is a toxic chemical widely used in low- and middle-income countries as insecticide, rodenticide, and fumigant (1). The use of the 3g 56% concentration tablet is reported to cause many accidental and intentional poisonings (2,3). In 2019, 3g 56% tablet of the product was identified as one of the most common means of intentional poisonings in Nepal. In 2019, this formulation was banned, with other formulations registered (4,5). Regulation of pesticides is suggested as an effective methods of preventing harms (6).
METHODS:
This presentation discusses the results of two studies that collected data on the trends of fatal pesticide poisoning in Nepal over a seven years period (pre-ban 2017-2020 and post-ban 2021-2024). Incidents of fatal pesticide poisoning were collected from Nepal’s two toxicology labs.
RESULTS:
There were 3,005 pesticide suicides in the pre-ban period and 1,331 in the post-ban period, corresponding to an average of 85.9 and 37.0 cases per month, respectively, or a 56.9% reduction. Much of the reduction was due to a decrease in poisonings with organophosphate pesticides. There was an increase in the percentage of poisonings involving phosphine gas from 31.1% in 2017-20, to 48.2% in 2021-24. While the absolute number of phosphine gas poisonings decreased from 934 in 2017-2020 to 642 in 2021-2024, it increased proportionally. Almost half of all fatal poisonings in 2021-2024 were due to phosphine gas (48.2%).
CONCLUSIONS:
Despite the overall reduction in fatal pesticide poisonings due to phosphine gas, the change of the formulation of the product – the ban of the 3g tablet - was not associated with the proportionate decrease in deaths due to this chemical. More research is needed for evidence-based decision-making. This presentation will be of interest to toxicologists, public health researchers and decision-makers interested in reducing adverse impact of chemicals on health.
| eISSN: | 2654-1459 |
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