/oss/taxonomy/term/1441/all en /oss/article/controversial-science-health-news-toxicity/possible-phosphine-poisoning <p>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.</p> Thu, 23 Jan 2014 00:30:16 +0000 Joe Schwarcz PhD 2075 at /oss