Hydrogen phosphide as a fumigant for foods, feeds and processed ...

L 

erween their 

Health Bull. 

19) . 

enate. Anal. 

stol on live. 

in different 

t and Estern 

1. Proc . Nat . 

tsphorylation 

hondria and 

,lism of the 

i the use of 

arbor pestic 

determinanew 

method 

199 (1965) . 

hemists 47, 

iod for esd- 

Hydrogen phosphide as a fumigant for foods, feeds 

and processed food product s 

By 

W. H. DIETERIcH', GERO MAYR" *, KARL HILD' • , 

J. B. SULLIVAN*, and J . MURPHY' 

Contents 

1. Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 135 

a) Applications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 135 

b) Historical . . . . . . . . . . . . . 137 

II. Phosphine residues in food products . . . . . . . . . . . 139 

a) Direct analysis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 139 

b) Indirect analysis . . . . . . . . . . . 139 

c) Effect of phosphine on vitamins '. . . . . . . . . . . 143 

111 . Discussion . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 143 

Summary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 146 

Resume . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 146 

Zussamenfassung . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 147 

References . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 147 

1. Introductio n 

Hydrogen phosphide or phosphine (PHa), a colorless, toxic, inflammable 

gas with an odor like carbide, has been used for the fumigation of insect 

pests of stored grain for many years . The development of a tablet, and more 

recently a pellet, composed of aluminum phosphide and ammonium carbamate 

(Phostoxin©t) which decomposes upon exposure to the atmosphere 

and slowly liberates the gas, has practically eliminated the danger of spontaneous 

combustion, 

a) Application: 

A Phostoxin Tablet weighs about three grams and produces, approximately 

• Hazleton Laboratories, Inc., Falls Church, Virginia. 

• • Deutsche Gesellschaft His Scbadiiagsbekiimpfung (Degetcb), Frankfurt am 

Main, West Germany . 

I Produced by Degescb ; distributed also by the Hollywood Ternsire Coarrol Co ., 

Inc.. Alhambra, California . . 

7 

http://legacy.library.ucsf.edu/tid/mjq66a99/pdf

136 W. H. DiarBRIcH, GRRo MAYR, KARL HILw, J . B . SULLIVAN, and J . MURPHY 

one gram of phosphine ; a Phostoxin Pellet weighs 0.6 gram and yields 0 .2 

gram of gas . Tablets or pellets are added to grain as it is being loaded into 

barges, boxcars, or storage bins, or they can be inserted with special equipment 

later, Depending upon local practice and the temperature of the material 

to be fumigated, from three to six tablets are used for each 1,000 kg. 

of grain ; the fumigation period is from three to five days . The phosphine 

gas which is generated rapidly spreads throughout the grain or other commodiry, 

moving in all directions . Although noticeable levels of gas can be 

maintained for up to 28 days in a tightly dosed container, all residues will 

disappear after 48 hours' normal aeration . After the fumigation, the undisturbed 

tablet residue consists of aluminum hydroxide with possibly a 

small amount of undecomposed phosphide ; the latter decomposes with the 

turning or handling of grain or with the usual leaning measures . 

For the fumigation of feeds and processed foods which may have, a 

minimum of handling prior to consumption, the recommended dosage 

is 45 to 60 tablets or 165 to 200 pellets per 1,000 cubic feet of space. The 

tablets or pellets are confined in a gas-permeable envelope or are spread 

on trays near the material to be fumigated ; the whole lot is then sealed in the 

room or covered with a gas-tight cover for the necessary time . In this way, 

neither the tablets not their residues come into contact with the food; yet 

the phosphine gas effectively spreads throughout the material and kills 

the insects, after which it is rapidly removed by natural aeration . 

The effectiveness of phosphine derived from aluminum phosphide against 

various insect pests in many countries of the woildd, together with its safet y 

in use, has been reported by NEITZERT (1953), VAN DEN BRUEL and BOL- 

LAF .RTS (1956), FREEMAN (1957), HESELTINE and THOMPSON (1957), 

RAUSCHER (1957), SMIT (1957), LINDGREN et at (1958), GUNN (1959), 

STRONG and LINDGREN (1960), MONRO (1960), MCGREGOR (1961), 

TURTLE (1961), HARADA (1962), HUBERT (1962), RAI at a! . (1962 and 

1964), COGBURN and TILTON (1963), coTroN (1963), LISCOMBB (1963), 

PINGALE et a! (1963), MONRO (1964), PREY (1965), and REYNOLDS at al . 

(1967). There is no continent where Phostoxin has not been used effectively 

for fumigation of indigenous pests of stored grain. 

The acute toxicology of phosphine has been discussed by KLIMMER (1958, 

1964, and 1966/67), the American Conference of Government Industrial 

Hygienists (1963 at .req.), and COURVILLE (1964) . SCHULEMANN and 

KLIMMER (1953) reported that subacute studies on rats indicated that no 

effect could be detected from the feeding of fumigated, uncleared grain . 

Although evidence cited herein indicates that residues of gas are completely 

dissipated after 48 hours' aeration and there is no physical or chemical 

combination of phosphine with the fumigated materials which would 

alter them significantly, the joint FA0/WHO Committee on Pesticide 

Residues (1965) has recommended long-term studies in two species of 

animals, together with research on the fate of the compound in food and 

its biochemical mechanism of action in animals . 

The an 

under var 

ported by 

POPP 

fumigate 

under sea 

analysis . 7 

of phosph 

Lion, the r 

of phosph 

averaging 

aeration . 

BRUCI 

tablets/to i 

WAGN 

gated wit 

hours aft( 

DRUCI 

fumigatio 

fumigated 

for differs 

Some san 

for aberr4 

ton, resid 

to 14 day 

tablets/to 

to 0.004 1 

is best d( 

dosages 1 

by aerati ( 

ALESS 

fumigatio 


1N, and J . MURPHY 

im and yields 0.2 

being loaded into 

ith special equiprarure 

of the ma. 

or each 1,000 kg . 

s. The phosphene 

.in or other comels 

of gas can be 

, all residues will 

aigation, the unwith 

possibly a 

)mposes with the 

ieasures. 

rich may have a 

amended dosage 

eet of space. The 

pe or are spread 

:hen sealed in the 

ime. In this way, 

ith the food; yet 

iaterial and kills 

-ration . 

)hosphide against 

er with its safety 

BRUEL and BOL- 

'MPSON (1957) , 

GUNN (1959), 

,REGOR (1961), 

old. (1962 and 

SCOMBE (1963), 

REYNOLDS et al . 

a used effectively 

KLIMMER (1958, 

amens Industrial 

iULEMANN an d 

ndicated that no 

cleaned grain, 

of gas are comiysical 

or chemids 

which would 

ee on Pesticide 

two species of 

tad in food and 

Hydrogen phosphide as a fumigant 137 

b) Historiasl 

The amount of residue in different products fumigated with Phostoxin 

under varying conditions and after differing aeration periods has been reported 

by a number of researchers , 

POPP (1953) reported that 1,000 g. of Phostoxin tablets were used to 

fumigate 45 tons of cereal grains (15 mg./kg.) . The grain was fumigated 

under sealed conditions for five days after which samples were taken for 

analysis. The air swept from 10 treated samples ranged from 0 to 0.5 mg. 

of phosphine/kg. of grain with an average of 0.126. After two hours' aeration, 

the sample with the highest phosphine level was reduced to 0.023 mg. 

of phosphine/kg. of grain. Five other samples with phosphine residue levels 

averaging 0.2 mg./kg. were without detectable residues after three days' 

aeration. 

BRUCE (1958) fumigated milo with Phostoxin at a dosage rate of 10 

tablets/ton of grain. Phosphine residues were as shown is Table I . 

Sample 

Table I. Phosphine residue: in milo, 10 Pbostoxin 

Tabletslton of grain (BRUCE .1958 ) 

Days after 

treatment PHs residue (p.p.m. ) 

I 0.43 6 

16 0 .029 

2 7 0 .28 6 

11 0.08 5 

WAGNER and FOGLEMAN (1962) reported that commercial flour fumigated 

with Phostoxin contained no detectable residues of phosphine 24 

hours after completion of the fumigation. 

BRUCE et al. (1962) conducted extensive studies of laboratory and field 

fumigation of various grains with Phostoxin . Residues of phosphine in grain 

fumigated with the exaggerated doses shown, both without and with aeration 

for different periods, were as collated in Table II . 

Some samples included portions of undecomposed tablets which account 

for aberrant results. Under field conditions, with doses of 2.9 to 10 tablets/ 

ton, residues of phosphene ranged from 0.029 to 0 p .p.m. following one 

to 14 days--,fumigation . Another group of samples fumigated at two to six 

tablets/ton followed by turning and/or aeration had residues of from 0 .046 

to 0.004 p.p .m. The effectiveness of aeration in reducing phosphine residues 

is best demonstrated by the 57 tablets/ton dosage where these exaggerated 

dosages produced early residues of 3 .03 p.p.m, which were then reduced 

by aeration for seven days to 0.004 p.p .m . 

ALESSANDRINI and WHCITEMORB (1965) reported that usual Phostoxin 

fumigation dosages for grain were six tablets/ton in India, 10 in Sweden, 


138 W. H . Din78R1CH, Gnno MAYR, KARL Hn.n, J . B. SULLIYAN1 and J . MURPHY 

0 

w 

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I I 1 4 1 1 

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imported it 

phosphine . 

were all 0 .( 

28 product: 

to 0.3 p .p.n 

were 0 .05 I 

The Co 

Netherland: 

grain, aerat 

above 0 .00 

phosphine 

ner, and 

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Phostox 

fumigation 

Lions were 

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phine did n 

In Canada, 

processed fe 

be negligi b 

II 

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handled (t 

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KLIMMER 

foods, the t 

in the fury 

meable tar_ 

products a 

In spit. 

Lion wheth 

gated foot 


Hydtogen phosphide as a fumigant 139 

and three to 10 in Australia . Residues of phosphine from these treatments 

were shown to be less than 0.1 p.p .m . 

The' Netherlands Committee on Phyropharmacy (1965) reported that, 

using a method sensitive to 0 .01 p.p.m. of phosphine, 99 samples of cereals 

imported into The Netherlands during 1964 were analyzed for residues of 

phosphine. One sample showed a level of 0.3 p.p .m .; levels in the others 

were all 0.04 p .p.m. or below . In the 1966 report of the same committee, 

28 products fumigated with phosphine had residues ranging from < 0.01 

to 0.3 p .p.m.; one had the 0.3 level, another 0.1 p.p.m., and the remainder 

were 0.05 p.p.m. or below . 

. The Codex Committee (1966) reported, that wheat fumigated in The 

Netherlands at dosages of three to six tablets of Phostoxin/cubic meter of 

grain, aerated for 48 hours, and analyzed after 12 days showed no residues 

above 0.005 p.p.m. They concluded that "Through turning and aerating, 

phosphine disappears rapidly from cereals treated in the conventional manner," 

and that "Baking studies showed that no 'significant residues of 

phosphine could be found in the bread made from fumigated flour or grain. " 

Phostoxin* has been registered in the United States since 1958 for the 

fumigation of raw agricultural commodities on a no-residue basis . Regulations 

were issued in 1965 authorizing the use of Phostoxin' for the fumigation 

of certain animal feeds and processed foods, provided residues of phosphine 

did not exceed 0 .1 p .p.m. after 48 hours" aeration following fumigation . 

In Canada, Phostoxin® has been registered for raw agricultural commodities, 

processed foods, and pet foods' on the basis that any remaining residues would 

be negligible. Phostoxin' is registered in 70 countries. 

II. Phosphine residues in food products 

I 

I 

I 

a) Direct analysis 

Early experimental work with Phostoxin in the fumigation of grains 

had indicated that there were trace amounts of unreacted aluminum phosphide 

present among the decomposition products of the Phostoxin Tablets . It 

was shown that these amounts would rapidly disappear when the grain was 

bandied (sauce at al. 1962) and that, even if the grain were fed to rats 

without cleaning, no harm could be demonstrated (SCHULEMANN and 

KLIMMER 1953) . It is recommended that, for the fumigation of processed 

foods, the tablets or pellets be enclosed in an envelope or otherwise contained 

in the fumigation chamber (whether a sealed room or under a gas-impetmeable 

tarpaulin) in such a way that the Phostoxin or its decomposition 

products can not possibly come in contact with the food products . 

J 

b) Indirect analysis 

In spite of its negligible solubility in water and oil, there was a question 

whether phosphine gas would be absorbed by or adsorbed onto fumigated 

food products in such a way that residues would remain or that 


Table III. Phosphine residues (p.p.m.) in processed foods fumigated with pbosphine generated from Pbostoxin Tablets or 

Pellets at the dosage levels and after the aeration times indicated (SULLIVAN and MURPHY 1966 ) 

0 

Control 

Fumigation dosage/11,000 cu. ft. 

Recommended 

Enggrrued 

t7 

Food samples 

Containers 

None 

No 

aeration 

165 

Pellets 

48 hr. 

aeration 

2 hr. 

aeration 

45 

Tablets 

48 hr. 

aeration 

2 hr. 

aeration 

450 

Tablets 

48 hr . 

aeration 

Corn Flakes Waxed carton < 0.003 < 0.003 

Rice Krispies Waxed carton < 0 .003 < 0 .003 

Shredded Wheat Waxed carton < 0 .003 < 0.003 

Concentrate Waxed carton < 0.003 < 0.003 

Malted barley 

flour Paper bag < 0.003 0.004 

Institutional 

donut mix Paper bag < 0 .003 < 0.003 

Pie crust mix Paper bag < 0.003 < 0 .003 

Oat floor Paper bag 0.005 < 0.003 

Vito glute n 

concentrate Papa has 0.003 0.00 3 

Soy flour (high 

fat) paper has < 0.003 0.003 

Rice flour Paper bag 0.005

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142 W. H. D1ErER1CH, GERO MAYR, KARL HILA, ) . B. SULLIVAN, and J . MURPHY 

toxic byproducts would be formed by chemical reaction . The first approach 

toward the solution of this problem was the use of a method shown to be 

practicable with raw agricultural commodities. This was described by BRUCE 

of al. in 1962 and was shown to be sensitive in the range of parts per billion 

(p.p.b.) ; apparent phosphene residues in flour and bread were in the 

range of less than 60 p.p.b. A limiting factor in this method was the concentration 

of phosphorus in the analytical reagents used, including the 

water; for this reason the authors emphasized the need for funning control 

or blank samples. 

In an attempt to increase the overall sensitivity of the original method, 

SULLIVAN and MURPHY (1966) modified BRUCE's procedure ; specific details 

of this new procedure are to be published at a later date . 

Utilizing this modified procedure, SULLIVAN and MURPHY (1966) 

analyzed the following products for phosphine residues following fumigation 

and aeration according to the recommended schedule : green coffee beans, 

cocoa powder, nonfat instant dry milk powder, malted barley flour, institu . 

tional doughnut mix, pie crust mix, oat flour, gluten concentrate, high fat 

soy flour, rice flour, gluten flour, bran buds, primary yeast, beet pulp, cornstarch, 

deer pellets, mink conditioner, raisins, dried apples and apricots, pecan 

pieces, and Kellogg's Corn Flakes, Rice Krispies, Concentrate, Special K, 

Apple Jacks, and Shredded Wheat. After fumigation at the recommended 

level with 48 hours' aeration, the highest level of phosphine found in any 

product was 0 .017 p .p.m. (see Table III) . Data from a shorter aeration 

interval and at an exaggerated dosage level indicate the rapidity with which 

phosphine disappears . 

Because of the trace levels of phosphorus and related compounds which 

might normally be found in foodstuffs, as previously mentioned, an indirect 

method for the analysis of phosphine residues was developed by MAYR and 

HILD (1966). By demonstrating that all of the phosphine which had been 

generated by a measured amount of Phostoxin could be recovered at some 

period following the completion of fumigation, they excluded the possibility 

of any reaction with or adsorption by the fumigated foodstuffs. Accuracy 

of the method was ± 0.07 percent . A description follows : 

The fumigation chamber (desiccator) is connected with the equipment for 

the phosphine determination, which consists of two bubble towers; the first is 

filled with dilute sulfuric acid and the second with mercuric chloride . The 

final connection is to a vacuum pump. A stream of nitrogen is drawn through 

the desiccator with a speed of eight 1./fir. to wash the phosphine into the mercuric 

chloride. Precautions are taken to retain every trace of phosphine and 

to pass the nitrogen stream slowly enough to allow the total absorption of the 

phosphine. In order to remove the gas from the interstitial spaces of the treated 

commodity, the latter is stirred during the nitrogen wash . Nitrogen can be replaced 

in this method by air, either hot or cold . 

Should there be tablet residues in the fumigated commodity, dilute sulfuric 

acid is added to the latter and boiled; the phosphine is completely driven out 

and absorbed in the mercuric chloride . 

Phosphine reacts with the mercuric chloride to form free hydrochloric 

M 

1 

i 

acid ; d- 

The co 

Potenti' 

Usi 

from t 

either 

flour, o 

dried a 

tea, su; 

chives, 

turmeri 

custom: 

possibh 

repeate, 

sorptio t 

MA' 

vitamin 

phosphi 

weight 

to be p 

Ba. haw 

examint 

in bras: 

Vitamit 

garden I 

on any 

The 

with P1 

ported 

sophisti, 

sional r 

fumigat 

been at' 

of Phos 

by the 

Disc 

ucts wl 

Phostox 

than 1 .0 

after ha 


1RPHY Hydrogen phosphide as a fumigant 14 3 

roach 

to be 

RUCK 

r bill 

the 

conthe 

•ntro l 

thod, 

- de- 

)66) 

nigacans, 

stitut 

fat 

:orn- 

'ecan 

.1 K, 

nde d 

any 

aeon 

•hic h 

hich 

irect 

and 

been 

:ame 

rility 

Tracy 

t for 

at is 

The 

)ugh 

metand 

the 

.aced 

rc- 

(uric 

out 

loric 

acid; determination is by titration with O .1N potassium or sodium hydroxide . 

The color change from light green to light blue must be carefully observed . 

Porentiornetric titration is for more exact and can be used without filtration . 

Using this method, MAYn and HILD (1966) analyzed phosphine residues 

from the following products which had been fumigated with Phostoxin 

either at the recommended or at exaggerated dosage rates, barley, wheat 

flour, oat flakes, noodles, rice, wheat bran, semolina, macaroni, dried apples, 

dried apricots, raisins, prunes, almonds, hazelnuts, peanuts, walnuts, coffee, 

tea, sugar lumps, cottonseed cake, a variety of dog foods, peas, spinach, 

chives, beans, lettuce, lentils, ground red and black pepper, curry powder, 

turmeric, marjoram, and potato flour . Although fresh vegetables are not 

customarily fumigated, these items were included for the study of any 

possible effects of the fumigation . Recovery of all of the phosphine was 

repeatedly demonstrated. There was no evidence of absorption by or adsorption 

on any of the foods studied (Table IV) . 

c) Effect of phosphine on vitamins 

MAYR and HILD (1966) conducted further studies to determine whether 

vitamins might be altered or destroyed by the fumigation, even if all the 

phosphine was apparently recovered . Organic compounds of high molecular 

weight and with it large number of unsaturated double bonds are considered 

to be particularly susceptible to this type of reaction ; since Vitamins A and 

Ba have these characteristics, they were studied in detail . Vitamin A was 

examined in whole milk powder; provitamin A (beta-carotene) was studied 

in brussels sprouts, cabbage, red cabbag ee, whole meal flour, and peco nuts, 

Vitamin B2 was analyzed before and after`fumigation of wheat germs, spinach, 

garden lettuce, peanuts, walnuts, and whole meal flour . No influence was found 

on any of these vitamins . 

III. Discussion 

The data available on residues of phosphene found in grains fumigated 

with Phostoxin as reported by earlier workers and levels more recently reported 

in fumigated grains and processed foods-but determined by more 

sophisticated analytical techniques-are in general agreement. The occasional 

reports of finding residue levels to be higher after longer periods of 

fumigation or aeration---contrary to the reduction to be expected--have 

been attributed by 7situc et 41. (1962) to particles of disintegrated pellets 

of Phostoxin either coating the kernels of grain or accidentally picked up 

by the sampler. 

Discounting these aberrant results, analysis of a wide variety of products 

which had been fumigated with considerably differing dosages of 

Phostoxin tablets or pellets indicated that residues would normally be less 

than 1 .0 p .p.im immediately upon completion of fumigation and 0.02 pp.in 

after handling or aeration for 48 hours. 

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146 W. H. btaratuctr, Gaao MAYa, KARL I-IILD, J. D. SULLtvAN, and J . MURPHY 

Summary 

Phostoxin0 Tablets and Pellets have gained worldwide acceptance as a 

source of phosphine (PHa) for effective fumigation of cereal grains and 

other agricultural commodities. The toxicity to all stages of insect life, 

safety in use, and absence of residue make it ideally suited for this purpose. 

Repeated fumigation, if required by reinfestation, does not cause a problem 

with cumulative residue. 

More recently, widespread interest in using Phostoxin for fumigation 

of processed and packaged food and feed has resulted in the conduct of research 

to provide data on possible residues and other aspects of this process . 

Two methods have been used to determine residue levels, if any, in processed 

foods. The first is a direct, practicable method for analyzing the fumigated 

food per se. The second is an experimental "recovery" or indirect method, 

whereby the phosphine generated is used to fumigate the food and is then 

recovered . By' either or both of these methods, many samples representing 

cereal grains and related products, fruits and nuts, beverage products, animal 

foods, vegetables, spices, and miscellaneous food products have been fumigated 

and subsequently analyzed . There has been no evidence of absorption 

of phosphine by or adsorption onto any of the foods studied . 

Analysis of vitamins A and B2 before and after fumigation with phosphene 

has shown no evidence of any changes . These results, uniformly in. 

dicating negligible residues of approximately 0 .01 p .p.m. or less, indicate 

the suitability of Phostoxin as a fumigant fdr processed foods and feeds, 

as well as for taw agricultural commodities . 

R6sum6 * 

Les tablettes et les comprimes de Phostoxin®x ont ..cquis une tres grande 

faveur comme source d'hydrogene phosphors (PHa) pour une fumigation 

efficace des grains de cereales et autres produits agricoles . La toxicit6 

ii tous les sages de la vie de 1'insecte, Is s6curit6 de 1'emploi et l'absence 

de r6sidu le rendent ideal pour cer usage. Une fumigation repetee, si elle 

est exigee par une reinfestation ne souleve pas de probleme de residus 

cumularifs. 

Plus r6cemment, un int6ret accru daps 1'emploi du Phostoxin pour les 

fumigations d'aliments prepares a result6 de recherches ex6cut6es afin de 

r6unir des donn6es sur les residus 6ventuels et d'autres aspects de cette technique. 

Deux m6thodes ont • 6t6 utilisees pour determiner les teneurs en 

residus, s'il en existe, dans les aliments prepares. La premiere est une 

m6thode directe et pratique pour doser 1'hydrogene phosphor6 dans les 

aliments trait6s. La seconde est une m6thode indirecte dans laquelle est dose 

l'hydrogene phosphor6 non absorb6 par les aliments . Par Tune ou 1'autre 

de ces m6thodes oar 66 analyses, apr2s fumigation, de nombreux 6chantillons 

de graines de cereales et de produits voisins, des fruits at des noix, de s 

• Traduit par R. biesT S. 

boissons, des 

Il n'a ete of 

aucun des al 

L'analyse 

gene phospi 

paraitre des 

que le Pho., 

prepares quq 

Phostoxi 

als Phosphi 

anderen Ian 

Entwickluni 

das Fehlen 

Mittel. Wif 

wendig ist, 

Ruckstandel 

Neuerdi 

bei der Bey 

Mitteln zu 

uber moglit 

Bestimmun. 

Nahrungsm 

begasten N 

gewinnung~ 

benutzt urn 

viele Probt 

Getranke, I 

Nahrungsm 

keinerlei H 

untersuchte 

Analyse 

ergaben kei 

Diese I 

stands von 

Eignung vi 

and Futter 

ALESSANDRI 

phosphk 

• Oberst 


VAN, and J . MURPHY 

ide acceptance as a 

cereal grains and 

ges of insect life, 

d for this purpose. 

or cause a problem 

:in for fumigation 

the conduct of reets 

of this process. 

if any, in processed 

ing the fumigated 

r indirect method , 

food and is then 

nples representing 

e products, animal 

have been fumi- 

!nce of absorption 

died . 

gation with phos. 

ilts, uniformly in . 

or less, indicate 

foods and feeds, 

is une tres grande 

r une fumigation 

soles. La toxicit6 

;tploi et l'absence 

n rdpht6e, si elle 

,lime de r6sidus 

tostoxin pour Its 

ax&ut6es afin de 

,cts de cette techr 

les teneurs en 

'remiire est une 

tsphor6 dans les 

laquelle est dose 

l'une ou l'autre 

•reux 6chantillons 

cc des noix, des 

Hydrogen phosphide as a fumigant 14 7 

boissons, des produits animaux, des legumes, des 6pices et des aliments divers. 

11 n'a dtd observe ni absorption, ni adsorption d'hydrogene phosphork sur 

aucun des aliments 6tudiis. 

L'analyse des vitamines A et B2, avant et apres fumigation avec l'hydrogene 

phosphor6 n'a pas r6v616 de modifications . Ces r6sultats faisant apparaitre 

des r6sidus negligeables de l'ordre de 0,01 ppm, ou moins, montrent 

que le Phostoxin convient aussi bien pour les fumigations des aliments 

priparis que pour celles des denr6es agricoles brutes . 

Zusammenfassung* 

Phostoxin®-Tabletten und -Kugelchen haben weltweite Anerkennun g 

als Phosphin-Quelle bei der wirkungsvollen Begasung von Getreide und 

anderen landwirtschaftlichen Produkten gefunden . Seine Toxizitat fur alle 

Entwicklungsstadien der Insekten, seine Sicherheit bei der Anwendung, und 

das Fehlen von Riickstiinden machen es fur diesen Zweck zu einem idealen 

Mittel. Wiederholte Begasung, sofern these bei erneuter Infektion notwendig 

ist, schafft keine Probleme hinsichtlich der Akkumulation von 

Ruckstiinden. 

Neuerdings hat this breite Interesse fur die Verwendung von Phostoxin® 

bei der Begasung von verarbeireten und verpackten Nahrungs- and Futter . 

Mitteln zu Untersuchungen Anstoss gegeben, die zu experimentellen Daten 

fiber mogliche Ruckstande luhren sollten. Zwei Methoden wurden bei der 

Bestimmung des evtl. vorhandenen Ruckstandsspiegels in verarbeiteten 

Nahrungsmatiteln angewandt. Die erste, indirekte Methode untersucht die 

begasten Nahrungsmittel selber. Die zweite ist eine experimenteIle "R6ckgewinnungs"- 

oder indirekte Methode, bei der das Phosphin rur Begasung 

benutzt und Bann zuruckgewonnen wird . Mit beiden Methoden wurden 

viele Proben, u.a. Getreide und Getreide-Produkte, Fruchte und Nusse, 

Getranke, Futtermittel, Gemiise, Gewurze sowie zahlreiche verschiedenartige 

Nahrungsmittel begast und anschliessend analysiert. Dabei ergab sichkeinerlei 

Hinweis for die Absorption von oder die Adsorption an eines der 

untersuchten Nahrungsmictel. 

Analysen von Vitamin A and B2 vor und nach Begasung mit Phosphin 

ergaben keine Hinweise fur irgendwelche Anderungen. 

Diese Ergebnisse, die ubereinstimmend auf zu vernacblassigende Riickstande 

von etwa 0,01 ppm oder weniger hinweisen, zeigen sowohi die 

Eignung von Phostoxin® *Is Begasungsmirtel fur verarbeitete Nahrungsund 

Futtermittel, als such seine Verwendbarkeit unter Praxisbedingungea. 

References 

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phosphide. joint FAO/WHO Meeting, Rome (1965) . 

• Obetsetst von H. P. LINSxEN& 


148 W. H. DienitiCH, GERO MAYR, KARL HILD, J. B. SULLIVAN, and J. MURPHY 

American Con/erence of Government Industrial Hygienists : Threshold Limit Values 

for 1963, et seq. (Pamphlet 1963) . 

BRUCE, R . B .; Unpublished reports from Hazleton•Nuclear Science Corp . to Hollywood 

Termite Control Co ., Inc. (Apr. 30, June 19, and Oct. 17, 1958) . 

-,A. J. Roann.S, and T. 0. TW'T : Phosphine residues from Phostoxin® treated 

grain . _J- ._Agr. Food Chem . 10, 18 (1962) . 

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Publi c 

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NEITZERT, 

report 

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in Indi 

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POPP, H . : 

to Deg 

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hydrog' 

II), 3 

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Bull . ( 

RAUSCHER 

Praktis# 

REYNOLDS 

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SCHULEMI 

toxin-ti 

SMtr, B . . 

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STRONG, I 

legume 

1 (19, 

SULLIVAN, 

TURTLE, I 

Kingdc 

United 

provide 

VAN DEN 

une te' 

No. 2 

WAGNER, 

comme 

po►atio 

r-A 

f 

I 


♦' 

r 

J. MURPHY 

.imit Values 

). to Holly. 

58) . 

;in® treate d 

rking paper 

t phosphide, 

•22, 1966) . 

t for sacke d 

t, and Agri. 

red in The 

165. Secon d 

rlis, Mina . : 

Fatal grans . 

rteritis and 

a phosphide 

ao consumer 

set of join t 

(Pamphlet 

rratshaltung 

,unschweig) 

rite Control 

lation, orig- 

, Food Re. 

t tablets for 

7) ; Part 2 

nidity, and 

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. report to 

:ologie and 

4) . 

(Sept. 28 , 

(1966167) . 

i phosphide 

migant. Reyellow 

emu 

It 

..r

Hydrogen phosphide as a fumigant for foods, feeds and processed ...

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