The Jeddah Health Department warned the public on Tuesday against the use of insecticides containing aluminum phosphide — which was found last year to have killed several people and banned from use in homes. Officials based their latest warning on a case of Sudanese resident who developed symptoms of chemical poisoning after he used the insecticide at home. “Luckily, the moment the Sudanese resident developed the symptoms, he was rushed to King Fahd General Hospital in Jeddah where he was treated and kept under observation for 24 hours,” said Sami Badawood, director of the Jeddah Health Department. The man responded to treatment and he was discharged, he added. The medical team who rushed to the scene directed residents in the building to leave their apartments open for ventilation and advised them to seek help at the nearest hospital if they developed any symptoms. Some insecticides are allowed only for use on farms and in open areas, officials have said. In February 2009, two Danish children in Jeddah died after they inhaled aluminum phosphide fumes from a pesticide. Officials said at the time that there had been six similar deaths that month and that insecticides with the substance were banned from being sold for home use. Aluminum phosphide, which spreads in the air, affects the respiratory system and heart.
