Epidemiology of hydrogen phosphide exposures in humans reported to the poison center in Mainz, Germany, 1983-2003.

Background. Poisonings with rodenticides containing hydrogen phosphide-releasing compounds may lead to deleterious organ dysfunction and death. Since data of hydrogen phosphide poisonings is limited to case reports/series, this study was intended to elucidate hydrogen phosphide poisonings based on a 20-year data collection. Methods. Explorative data analysis of the Poison Center Mainz database looking for route of exposure, symptoms, and severity using the Poisoning Severity Score. Results. From 1983–2003, 188 hydrogen phosphide poisonings were reported. Sixty-five percent of these were unintentional residential, 28% attempts to commit suicide (intentional), 5% occupational, and 2% undetermined. In the majority of intentional poisonings the poison was ingested, whereas in unintentional poisoning of adults inhalation exposure dominated, caused by inappropriate self-protection from the released hydrogen phosphide gas during usage. Frequently observed symptoms in unintentional poisonings were nausea, vomitin...