It is a tragedy of unimaginable proportions. Two young children dead, two others in critical condition. It seems they were poisoned by phosphine gas! The horrific story is unfolding now in Jerusalem and details are still somewhat sketchy but evidence is pointing towards the culprit being aluminum phosphide which was used in the apartment by an exterminator. When aluminum phosphide, which is a solid, reacts with water it yields phosphine gas which kills just about everything it comes in contact with. Phosphine is heavier than air so it settles downwards putting anyone nearer the floor at greater risk.
It is hard to imagine this being used without strong warnings about evacuating the premises. Sometimes aluminum phosphide in the form of pellets is combined with bait and when rodents swallow it, phosphine forms as the aluminum phosphide reacts with stomach acid.
Apparently the children felt ill last night and were taken to a clinic with the parents informing the doctor that they thought the kids had eaten some bad food. They never mentioned anything about the insecticide being used so there was absolutely no way anyone could have considered this possibility. After the children were examined at the clinic they appeared to be fine and were sent home. The next thing we know is that when emergency personnel were called to the home one child was dead and the others in dire straits. Seems that there must have been some further exposure, but how this could have happened is not clear yet. Unfortunately there is no antidote to phosphine poisoning. What happened exactly should become clearer as details emerge. Just a terrible story.
